Graphic Novel Spotlight: Sidekicks

Sidekicks
by Dan Santat

This book takes an interesting twist on the classic superhero story by making the hero's pets the main characters. Focusing the story on animals gives it appeal for even the youngest graphic novel reader. At the same time it follows the traditional superhero arc for the average fan and has the plot complexity that will appeal to older readers. Add in dynamic illustrations with a cartoony style and rich color palette and this is truly the total graphic novel package. We're already on our second copy with no sign of it's popularity waning. 

The Sad Story of a single sock

About a year ago I decided to knit myself a pair of socks. I found a pattern I liked and got to work. It mostly went okay There were some problems with the written directions for the heel but I got it figured out. Anyone who's ever knitted socks, though, knows what happened next. I got bored and set the sock aside. Just for a week or two, I figured.

So, here we are a year later. I found the random sock stuffed in a box with some craft supplies and figured I ought to at least finish the pair. Remember that problem with the heel directions? Yeah, I didn't write down the correction. I have no idea what I did to make it work. So, the sock remains alone. Will I ever make it a mate? Maybe. Probably not with this same pattern though. That ship has sailed. Luckily I have no problems wearing mismatched socks.

The sock in question

 

Celebrating Dr. Seuss

Last week, in honor of Dr. Seuss, our library had a handful of Seuss themed activities. In addition to a special display of Dr. Seuss books and a coloring page of Zippety as Sam-I-Am, our two preschool storytimes were both Seuss themed. This is the display that we created with the crafts they made.

 

Book Review - I Have a Bad Feeling About This

Title: I Have a Bad Feeling About This
Author: Jeff Strand
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Similar Books: Holes by Louis Sachar
                     Why We Took the Car by Wolfgang Herrndorf; translated by Tim Mohr
Rating:

Laugh out loud funny

Summary: Henry is a nerd and a bit of a wimp. Somehow, his Dad and his best friend Randy convince him to spend two weeks of his summer at Strongwoods Survival Camp. Not a great plan for teens who'd rather play video games all day than start fires and shoot bows. Things get worse when Henry meets the other nerdy campers and the camp director, a man Henry fears may actually be crazy.
My opinion: This is a great book for teens, especially for boys. Lots of humor and irreverence without being overly graphic or having too much coarse language. The plot is pretty ridiculous but that works in it's favor. The best part, in my opinion, is the "Survival Tips." I imagine some of them as posters or perhaps t-shirt slogans. A very fun read appropriate for even young teens.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Books on Screen

In this feature I'll be comparing kids books with the movies they got turned into.

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs

When you take a picture book and turn it into a feature length film you have no choice but to expand the plot. A picture book simply does not have enough of a plot to support anything more than a cartoon short. In this  case, the movie version only retains some of the basic plot points and some of the more famous images (like the pancakes on the houses and the toast boats). Really, though, the movie does it right. It takes a kind of odd book about a grandfather's bedtime story and gives it context, complex characters, sub plots, and several lessons. Add in a healthy dose of humor and you stop noticing the departures as much. I call both of these winners in different ways.

Graphic Novel Spotlight: Korgi

In my continuing quest to share the best graphic novels, I'd like to introduce you to one of the more undervalued tales.

Korgi book 1: Sprouting Wings
by Christian Slade

This is probably the most complex plot I've seen in a wordless book. In spite of not having a single word of text (not even sound words) Korgi has a clear plot line and an extensive cast of characters. My library unfortunately only has the first volume of this fantastic series. Our young patrons don't let that stop them, as it has a satisfying story arc in this one book. Even if that were not the case, this book is worthwhile just for the illustrations. Each panel is filled with detailed ink line drawings. This is one to linger over.

Just look at those details

A special story for Zippety

When we first created our mascot, Zippety, we had a lot of plans for the ways we would use him, most of which we have attempted at least once. He's had a walk on part in a puppet show, been a model for our annual pet show, and made an appearance at a number of programs. Our favorite role, by far, is his annual birthday party. The party is an hour long storytime with games and cake on a Saturday morning in March. Last year I read a book from our collection. This year we decided to go a different route. I'm in the process of writing and illustrating a story about Zippety. I hope to have an update on this project for you next week.