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Picture book: "All About Color" by Elizabeth Rusch
Rusch and Goss have bowled me over again. Then I saw that they had put out a sort of "spiritual sequel" to "All About Nothing," I jumped to ask for an ARC copy from the publisher. And I was so excited to get it!
Rusch's text gives a brief education on light's role in creating color, as well as showing multiple color metaphors. Emotions, animal warnings, and even how humans use specific colors to communicate, such as an orange life vest asking for help.
Elizabeth Goss's illustrations just...blow my mind. That's not digital. That's not drawing. That's cut paper. CUT. PAPER. How. HOW? Like, for a moment, I'll think, surely not. Then you'll notice a shadow and realize that there's actual DEPTH to these images, and my mind is just blown again.
Now, I pointed this out to my kid as we were reading. And she was ALSO astonished. And she asked me to read again. I was going to give this 5 stars anyways, but a request for a repeat read is also an auto 5-star in my reviews. So, it won in my opinion and in my child's opinion, as well!
#book#book review#picture book#all about color#elizabeth rusch#elizabeth goss#papercraft#cut paper#arc#netgalley#review
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Picture book: "You Are a Little Seed" by Sook-Hee Choi
I cannot tell you how many times my kid made me read this book. Any time my kid asks for a repeat, I give a book 5 stars, but this one would need to invent a 6 or 7-star rating level, because...it was a lot. Almost to an annoying degree, as a parent. Ah, the things we do for love....
A very simple look at growing up, through the metaphor of seeds and flowers. There's a little bit of an "ugly duckling" metaphor here, but more focused on personality traits than physical ones. Spiky little seeds turn into cheerful, bright flowers, that kind of thing.
With spring well under way, this could also be a good pairing for a day of gardening! Or, in a classroom, perhaps have an exercise where students try to match up pictures of flowers and their seeds.
I'd say this is a great buy for any nature-focused family!
Advanced reader copy provided by the publisher.
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Picture book: "Anxious" by Luciana de Luca
A book I definitely could have used as a child, but with not enough time given to helping. Our unnamed narrator describes how anxiety feels, in depth, and using several metaphors.
The book spends a bit too much time describing the feeling of anxiety, and not enough on how to manage the emotion. In fact, there's just 6 pages on management, and only if you include two text-less pages of the young girl hugging her mother. The advice in the image portion of the book is simply to take ask for help, get a hug, and take a deep breath. There are a few pages at the end that give a more in-depth set of instructions for caregivers, as well as a few websites to consult.
I wish I could rate this book higher, as I think anxiety and anxiety disorders in children need more focus, but this one is just lacking.
Advanced reader copy provided by the publisher.
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Horror/Romance: "Someone You Can Build a Nest In" by John Wiswell
Cross-cultural relationships rely on clear communication and not making assumptions. Shesheshen, a blob monster, learns this when she realizes her new human girlfriend, Homily, doesn't consider laying your eggs in your partner so they may be eaten alive by your young...to be the logical goal of dating.
Somehow, as a reader, I'm with Shesheshen on this. Infest me, Mommy.
This is definitely a pick for queer readers with family trauma. Despite this book being about a ravenous blob-monster on the run, so much of the real drama and interest is about Homily's ruthless family, and how they have left scars on her past.
It's also a rather asexual romance, where the asexuality is not a point of tension, which I really appreciate.
Somehow, I found this book almost cozy. The horror definitely comes through in the end, but I was so much more invested in Homily and Shesheshen's romance and latching onto their every scrap of domestic bliss. I loved the end, and felt quite satisfied. There doesn't need to be more. It's just...nice. Very nice.
Advanced reader copy provided by the publisher.
#someone you can build a nest in#john wiswell#arc#netgalley#horror#romance#queer#asexual#asexual lesbian#book#review#novel#book review
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Picture book: "Workitu's Passover" by Zahava Goshen & Ben Hagai (2024-03-30)
Ethiopia has one of the longest continuously practicing Jewish communities in the world, dating back to the 4th century CE. Being so old and so distant from other major Jewish communities, Ethiopian Jews have their own particular traditions, and one is explored here.
The day before Passover, Workitu and her sister must smash all of their family's crockery, including Workitu's favorite cup. Workitu is distraught over her loss, until she learns that all the clay is softened and worked into the plates, cups, and other tools that will be used for the following year, allowing her to keep her cup, but in a new form.
This story is less about religion, and more about emotions, family, and tradition. It is a celebration of unique heritage, and one that we really don't see much in picture books.
Oh, but why, oh why, is this book being released in the US on the LAST DAY of Passover!? I want to read this to my nephews! But our big family Seder is on night 2! I can only hope that someone manages to push through an early ebook publication, but it looks grim.
If you're going to have final-night seder with your family (or if you're in the UK, where this book already released), pick this up, definitely. And I shall envy you.
#book#book review#review#picture book#judaism#ethiopia#beta israel#ethiopian jews#passover#children's literature#netgalley#arc
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Graphic novel: "The Mushroom Knight Vol. 1" by Oliver Bly
While the artwork in this book is rather stunning, the story failed to capture me. It's sort of an eco-fantasy, with the titular Mushroom Knight seeking to protect the forest, encountering and becoming indebted to a human child on the way.
While I love worldbuilding, the idea is BUILDING, not DUMPING. There's so little context of explanation, here. There needed to be better planning and pacing for this to tie together.
Also, TW for on-page death of a cat, and in a fairly brutal manner.
While book 2 of this is set to come out at the end of this year, I won't be returning. Might have made a better coloring book than graphic novel. :/
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Graphic novel: "Third Shift Society Volume One" by Meredith Moriarty
A book that seems destined for the Skullduggery Pleasant fans. Or perhaps those who loved "Hollowed" by Watters and Boyer-White. Aaaand a pinch for younger readers who would have been all over Buffy and Supernatural, but were born just a couple decades too late.
Ellie is utterly broke, and any job that pays well and keeps her from becoming homeless is worth the hassle. Even if your coworker is Ichabod, a pumpkin-headed gunslinger who maybe is a bit too dead for HER own good.
A bit of monster of the week, a bit of early hints at romance. While there is the financial aspect that would make this an adult setting, there's little in this book that makes it unsuitable to younger readers. Later middle-grade, I'd say.
I wasn't enamored enough to continue reading on Webtoon, but if you're looking for some hunting and slaying, this will scratch the itch.
Advanced reader copy provided by the publisher.
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Graphic novel: "Werewolf at Dusk" by David Small
Three unsettling stories of age and the uncanny.
Our title story, "Werewolf at Dusk," is at times sad, and also a bit disgusting. The reminiscences of an elderly werewolf have all the same feel as those of a debilitated sexual predator. There is no joy in inherent wildness, but instead just in causing pain.
"A Walk in the Old City" has a definite feel of eldritch tales. A victim who slowly comes aware of danger, a madman with mysterious power, and a setting that rests deep in the uncanny.
It's actually been a little bit since I read this collection, and I had forgotten what the final story, "The Tiger in Vogue," was about. Until I borrowed the book from Libby, scrolled through, and was IMMEDIATELY hit with the memory. Oof. OOF. Set in 1920s Germany, this allegory for the rise of Naziism is unsettling on multiple fronts.
This is my first David Small book, so I'm not sure who it stacks against his other offerings. However, for a quick evening spook, this is a good pick. Definitely worth perusing from your local library, though I'm afraid it won't end up on my physical shelves.
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Scifi graphic novel: "Eden" by Christopher Sebela (2024-04-09)
Earth is dying, but Eden is our second chance. Once a month, 50 million people are able to board one of the ships of the Eden mission, taking a 6-month journey to an unsullied planet. Now, it's the Tremain family's turn, and their neighbors, the Oximenkos, are happy to take that turn for them. 😉
Once the swap is discovered, the Eden Corporation is determined to take the Oximenko family out, swiftly, and silently. It's capitalism vs. the family, in a very literal way.
The artists put a LOT of time into the setting. The characters are drawn just fine, but the interior of the ship is enormously complex. Pipes and wires and screens everywhere! And the scenes on Earth are similarly packed. I wouldn't be surprised if the setting took more time than the characters.
I'm glad this all wraps up in one volume, with no real loose ends. It was interesting enough for a regular GN volume, but at much longer, the plot would have been too thin. The setting and stakes are vast, but the events are fairly simple, and allowed to conclude naturally. A good afternoon read.
Advanced reader copy provided by the publisher.
#book#book review#graphic novel#gn#comic#arc#netgalley#science fiction#scifi#generation ship#space travel
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Fantasy graphic novel: "The Happy Shop" by Brittany Long Olsen
Just a bit of cozy fantasy, good for a lunch break. <3
After knocking over a valuable item at The Happy Shop, new-to-town Darcy agrees to work in the shop to pay off her debt. She helps sell jars filled with moments of happiness, and eventually is invited to help gather the happy moments. But the shop is doing poorly, and Darcy becomes determined to find a way to save the charming little business.
The art style here is consistent, if not very detailed. I never noticed an awkwardly drawn person or scene. It's full backgrounds all around, with a charming atmosphere. The colorwork is flat, no shading, but since it's consistent, it doesn't grate.
Olsen has only been releasing books for a few years, and this is her first release with a publisher, instead of self publishing. Overall, it's a great "official" debut as a comic artist, and shows a lot of promise.
So, if you need a little comfort, a little happy, this book is just like the jars inside: cheap, short and uplifting, in all the best ways.
Advanced reader copy provided by the publisher.
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Scifi graphic novel: "Army of One, Vol. 1" by Tony Lee
Nature vs. nurture is a fairly good explanation of this story. Our protag, Carrie, has just discovered that she's one in a million. No...wait...not "in." OF. One OF a million. Across the multiverse, each world has one of her, and they are engaged in a civil war. On one side are Carrie's new saviors. On the other are the forces of Lord Havoc, her brother from another lifetime. He's going to rule everything, and to do that, there can be no other claimants to the throne.
Sadly, I just wasn't feeling this one at all. There's this grand premise at the beginning, but I didn't feel connected enough with Lord Havoc and his Sister Fortune to care who won, nor did I feel enough for Carrie to care about her endangerment OR be interested in the plot twists about her past. Everything just feels very flat.
Also, not a fan of exploring a world where the Nazis won so early in the story. A bit like blowing their wad, trying to get interest in a shock setting, rather than with their plot. And, like, it's also just the IMAGERY of such a society, and not any intellectual thought of what life is like in such a world. It's like...Nazi wallpaper.
And, look, I don't have a good transition to go from talking about THAT to my next big complaint, but...
With all the alternate girls that exist, why is every single one of them skinny with a flawless face? There wasn't a single one who has some chub or who is ACTUALLY scarred in some way by the literal WAR being fought? Like, there's a few of them who either transitioned or were born male, and THEY have more variation than any of the MANY women we see!
I don't see myself continuing this series. There's just no depth, despite having infinite dimensions to delve into.
Advanced reader copy provided by the publisher.
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Fantasy graphic novel: "I Feel Awful, Thanks" by Lara Pickle
DAMN, that's some good worldbuilding!
In Joana's world, magic is nearly mundane. Just about anyone can do it, but Joana...she's GOOD. Particularly at potions. And she's just begun work at her DREAM job, developing new potions that will not only help people, but push potion making further from animal testing and use.
But her boss doesn't believe in those ethics. And her roommate is a NIGHTMARE. And her new beau is just saying all the wrong things. The stress is getting to her, and soon she might not be able to control the literal dragons inside.
Despite the theme of anxiety and depression, this is a really cozy book! The majority of characters are kind enough and the artwork is bright and whimsical enough that readers will be certain all comes out right, even when Joana is feeling her worst. I read this as I was nearly all the way out of an anxiety breakdown of my own, and it was a great comfort.
Okay, but more spoilery, the dragons? The dragons as EMOTIONS? A visual, interactive representation of how people feel in this world? I love it. And the author did a great job with therapy talk, but ALSO with making sure readers don't try to use this book for therapy, and instead seek out professional help.
Advanced reader copy provided by the publisher.
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Nonfiction picture book: "Big Babies" by Patrick O'Brien
Eleven dinosaurs, depicted as little ones, alongside their full-grown parents...or, at least, their parents' feet! Each dino features their name, the translated meaning of their name, and a few sentences of description. It's brief, making this a great primer for kids just getting interested in dinosaurs.
The final two pages have a few more sentences of description for each dinosaur, but no accompanying images, making it kind of text-heavy for early readers, but just fine for those who are more comfortable with longer, more complex text.
I especially appreciate the size comparison on the back endpaper, giving you an idea of how each dinosaur baby compares to a human child. Although, the human child isn't given an age or height, so the size is pretty vague. I'd also have loved it if the front endpaper (of flip them) had a comparison of adult humans to adult dinosaurs, to impress how big these babies REALLY get!
The artwork is digital media, with a focus on realism and recent scientific consensus on appearance. Most of the dinos have protofeathers and fuzz, though some are QUITE well-fledged! There are some absolutely ADORABLE pictures in this book, such as the baby triceratops with donuts on its horns. I also love the veliciraptor babies racing a toy car, especially since they've got nearly fully-formed WINGS!
Pick this up if you have a dinosaur-loving child, and this should definitely be on public library shelves! It's a great resource, and sure to be a hit.
Advanced reader copy provided by the publisher.
#book#review#book review#picture book#nonfiction#nonfic#dinosaurs#science#netgalley#arc#nonfiction picture book
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Picture book: "José Feeds the World" by David Unger
An independent but very well-done biography of the founder of World Central Kitchen, José Ramón Andrés Puerta, from his childhood in Spain, to what was then his most recent work in the Ukraine (final drafts going to the printer before WCK's current work in Turkey, Syria, Maui, and Gaza).
I appreciate that we are shown the cooking roles of both José's mother and father, and when José is grown, he cooks alongside people of multiple genders and a range of skin tones. However, there's no disability rep, unless you count one older person in a hospital bed.
The digital artwork is mostly full-page, with a bit of whitespace as occasional "frames." In the first few pages, we get to see José age in a few stages, all in a very consistent style.
Overall, a good book, which could be an excellent start for a biography report or for a school food drive. Just make sure kids understand as José did, that it's best to provide food that makes people feel cared for, not just whatever cans are lost in the back of the pantry!
Advanced reader copy provided by the publisher.
#book#review#book review#picture book#biography#world central kitchen#wck#José Ramón Andrés Puerta#netgalley#arc
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Picture book: "Agnes and the Hen" by Elle Rowley
A sequel to a lovely little book I reviewed previously, "Agnes and the Sheep." Granted, this book is much less Agnes the dog and much more Hen, but the same could be said about the Sheep. Really, these are stories of a cute little farm, and they're just...cozy!
Rosie the hen is a bit different from the other hens. She dances about, she follows the dog, and she sleeps up in a tree, instead of in the coop. But that last one becomes very important when foxes come at night to eat the hens, and Rosie is able to save the day...er, night!
The watercolor artwork is soft and reminds me of my grandmother's kitchen plates. Just really comforting.
Just a feel-good book about being yourself.
Advanced reader copy provided by the publisher.
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Graphic novel: Ghostlore Vol. 1
A little bit "The Sixth Sense," a little bit "Ghostbusters," and a liiiiiittle bit cosmic horror.
The happy Agate family is ruined utterly when a car accident kills mother and son, leaving father and daughter to limp along through grief, loss of faith, and ghost encounters. Daughter Harmony seems to accept her newfound second-sight, and helps ghosts unburden themselves and move on. Father Lucas, once a preacher of forgiveness, has left that belief behind, and re-kills the dead.
There's something more eldritch than just the afterlife going on in the background here, with ghosts telling of terrible monsters and two mysterious men closing in on the two Agates. The first volume is only able to look at a little bit of this, though, and we aren't left with a full storyline. It's an opening bit, with volume 2 coming out in a few months.
I'm unsure if I'm interested enough to continue. If volume 2 ends up on review sites, I'd probably request a copy, but I don't think I'll remember this book in a few weeks, now that my review is done. It's all just...meh, for me.
Advanced reader copy provided by the publisher.
#book#book review#comic#graphic novel#supernatural#ghosts#ghostlore#death#cosmic horror#arc#netgalley
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Picture book: "With This Note" by Annalice Hayes
A mother sends her daughter out into the world with a letter, explaining how to react if their instincts make them feel that a situation isn't safe.
I was given a review copy of this book, and the book was a VERY rough draft. Half the pages were still in sketch form, limiting what I could see of the artistic styling. What are I did see was in an oil pastel style, and the characters portrayed emotions quite well.
The book ends with some some guides for school counselors and parents. For the counselors, the ways this book fulfils specific sections of the International Model for School Counseling Programs are outlined, making this a very simple to utilize for already overworked counselors. For parents, advice is given on how to engage with your children and coach them through safety lessons.
Overall, I'd say this wouldn't be my FIRST pick on the subject of safety, consent, and boundaries, but it's a good part of a collection. A library pick-up, I'd say.
Advanced reader copy provided by the publisher.
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