Non-fiction book review - Some Writer!

Some Writer! The story of E.B. White by Melissa Sweet

This biography is bound to be a hit with young readers. First of all you've got the subject matter. Most every kids has a positive encounter with the work of E. B. White. Secondly, you've got a wide span of his life, from childhood through adult fame, providing brief snatches of the things that influence him as a man and as a writer. It helps having direct quotes from White backing up Sweet's statements. Thirdly, it is visually quite appealing. Lots of images, both photos and drawings, and a warm color palate. It has plenty to look at without the pages becoming chaotic.

Book review - The Capybara Conspiracy

Title: The Capybara Conspiracy
Author: Erica S. Perl
Genre: humor
Similar books: The Secrets to Ruling School by Neil Swaab
                     Desmond Pucket Makes Monster Magic by Mark Tatulli
Rating:

Kind of a cute and clever novelty

Summary (provided by publisher): Fans of Tim Federle and Louis Sachar will love this hilarious story of what happens when the non-jocks kidnap their sports-obsessed school’s beloved mascot.
Seventh-grade playwright Olive Henry is frustrated by her middle school’s lack of appreciation for anything but sports. While the principal drones on and on during morning announcements about the sports teams’ victories, all non-athletic club meetings are relegated to the school basement, never to be mentioned on the loudspeaker. So Olive and her best friend, Reynaldo, hatch a plan to kidnap the school’s capybara mascot, planning to return it, heroically, just in time for the school’s pep rally and claim a reward: permission for their drama club to practice in the auditorium. And, hopefully, some overdue respect for the school’s non-athletes. But when an animal-rights student activist and an undercover athlete with murky motivations join in the conspiracy, their plans—along with Cappy the capybara—veer wildly out of Olive’s control.  

My opinion: This is certainly an unusual book. Presented as a script, Olive explains the plot to steal the school's mascot and how this landed her at the principal's office. The script format relies heavily on dialogue, of course, but that dialogue is a real strength here. While the characters are presented as more caricatures than real people, this adds to the school play feel of the novel. This same element, though, lends a heavy dose of distance and unreality to an already hard to believe plot. Humor and a strong sense of pacing help it along. Entertaining enough for a single read.
Advance Reader Copy provided by NetGalley.

Ornaments

Since I started producing ornaments for craft fairs I discovered I have this tendency to make something once and then never want to replicate it. It's a weird mental block and something I'm working on. In the meantime it has meant that some of the ornaments I produce are a bit ... unusual. Like alligators wearing winter hats. And hippos playing musical instruments. This trio is one of my tamer groups.

 

Book review - Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea

Title: Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea
Author: Ben Clanton
Genre: graphic novel/humor
Similar books: Sleepless Knight by James Sturm
                     Claude in the City by Alex T Smith

Rating:

a silly good time

Summary (provided by publisher): Narwhal is a happy-go-lucky narwhal. Jelly is a no-nonsense jellyfish. The two might not have a lot in common, but they do they love waffles, parties and adventures. Join Narwhal and Jelly as they discover the whole wide ocean together.
A wonderfully silly early graphic novel series featuring three stories. In the first, Jelly learns that Narwhal is a really good friend. Then Narwhal and Jelly form their own pod of awesomeness with their ocean friends. And finally, Narwhal and Jelly read the best book ever -- even though it doesn't have any words...or pictures!
Ben Clanton showcases the joys of friendship, the benefits of working together and the power of imagination in the delightful Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea.

My opinion: If you like ridiculous stories, this is the book for you. It's out there, but in the best possible way. Like Mo Willems and Bob Shea did for picture books, so Clanton does for graphic novels. The stories are simple and rely on a truly absurd brand of humor. This means, though, that they can be appreciated by a broad audience. They are straightforward, so don't expect to be mulling them over even minutes after finishing but for sheer entertainment value this book gets a great big thumbs up from me.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley.

Book review - Light

Title: Light
Author: Rob Cham
Genre: graphic novel
Similar books: Robot Dreams by Sarah Varon
                     The Tiger by Frederic Brremaud
Rating:

interesting but not my first pick

Summary (provided by publisher): Light is a silent graphic novel that follows a pair of adventurers on an epic quest to collect five magic gems from deep inside the earth and bring them to the surface to return color to the world. On the way they carry fire-lit torches through secret places and endless passages, swim in crystal-clear waters, encounter strange beasts and creatures, and meet strange mysterious hermits! Writer/Artist Rob Cham creates beautiful vivid illustrations that gradually evolve from black and white subterranean worlds to vivid bright colorscapes. This inspiring all-ages story recalls retro video-game vibes and role playing games, creating a one-of-a-kind mythos of magic lands and mischievous critters.

My opinion: Wordless graphic novels are risky. Your images must be distinct and expressive so the reader can clearly follow the plot. This one isn't quite there. Cham does some really cool things with his selective use of color and the interplay between light and shadow. The plot, though, gets a bit muddled at times. Could be interesting to discuss in a group setting, though.
Advance Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

It started out with good intentions

I have a small sketch book I use to plot out some of my craft projects. I had a vague idea of doing a cow themed project but no clear ideas so I started doodling in hopes of gaining some direction. Instead it went of the rails into increasingly unhelpful doodles. The cow project has been shelved for now. I kind of like the doodles, though.

This one is definitely the turning point. Elvis cow pretty much guaranteed that I was done being productive

 

Graphic Novel Spotlight - Monster Motors

Monster Motors by Brian Lynch

While retelling classic monster stories with cars wouldn't be my first choice, it plays out well in graphic novel format. The illustrations are stylized, allowing the monster cars to have personality and menace instead of holding rigidly to representing reality. Lynch also blends several classic monster stories, Dracula and Frankenstein being the major elements. There is a heavy dose of humor, keeping the story from becoming maudlin. A good choice for teen graphic novel fan looking for a mildly spooky story for Halloween.