Call it the end of year madness (coupled with the fact that we got the flu) and the continuing march of time, but we never reviewed Batman Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #2. This comic book came out a couple of weeks ago and is one that needs to be on your reading radar for the fact that it blends together two super franchises so well into an all age comic.
Continue reading Batman Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #2 review
The Storyteller is the titular character created by Jim Henson in the late 80s to weave together various stories. He’s accompanied by his trusty dog who is usually resting by the fireplace. Think of the Storyteller as a kid-friendly version of the Crypt Keeper from Tales From The Crypt. This incarnation of everyone’s favorite chattering grandfather is Jim Henson’s The Storyteller Giants. Previously the Storyteller introduced us to dragons and witches, but this time he tells us tales of giants.
Continue reading Jim Henson’s The Storyteller Giants #2, large and in charge
It’s mid-January and what are some of the best all age comics for this week? Let’s channel The Spice Girls and I’ll tell you what you want, what you really, really want, especially if you’re a young reader looking for some girl power. There is a misperception in some circles that there aren’t many all age comic books geared for girls. That is false. There are loads of comics that are great for boys or girls and this week sees the trifecta of go-to comics aimed almost exclusively at girls.
My Little Pony #36 has the Guardians of Harmony rising to protect Equestria. It brings action and just a bit of conflict to everyone’s favorite horses. These next two titles have similar age interests, but each does it with varying amounts of humor and camp. Powerpuff Girls #6 has lots of humor, camp and the most action of any of these three series. Strawberry Shortcake, HC, Volume 2 Strawberry Noir is more mysterious, with the girls deepening their friendships while trying to grow her business and more. It collects issues 3-5 of the monthly Strawberry Shortcake series on IDW. Any of those series will appeal to any girls aged 5 and up. The reading will be easiest in My Little Pony, Powerpuff Girls, followed by Strawberry Shortcake.
In outside the radar comics that will be fun for teen audiences check out Kong of Skull Island. This is now a monthly series and has art inside each issue that tells King Kong sized stories of action, humans behaving badly and other monsters.
Is your kid looking for all age comics that are down with superheroes? It’s a good week for that with issue #3 of Super Powers from DC Comics in store. The art in this mini-series is from Art Batlazar and Franco, whose work makes them all but synonymous with great all age comics. This mini-series brings all the big guns from DCU into the fold, getting the Art and Franco treatment. Teen Titans Go! TBP Volume 3 Mumbo Jumbo collects issues 13-18 of this great series. Kids 6 and up will love this comic book as much as they dig the television show.
Rounding some of the high points for the best new all age comics this week are Simpsons Comics #23 and Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #11.
Humor
Superhero
Action/Science fiction
Oknomiyaki is one of our favorite Japanese dishes. When we lived in Japan it was a pleasure to find a restaurant that made it-which is surprising because it’s surprisingly simple to make Okonomiyaki, it just takes a little more than average time. First off, Okonomiyaki is a Japanese pancake with cabbage and seafood. Its technical written description doesn’t sound all that appetizing, but when you combine everything and watch those fish flakes shimmy it’s probable that it will show you that there are lots of food options past sushi when it comes to Japanese food.
When is a board book not a board book? It’s not that all counting books are board books mind you; it’s just that most of them are. One Lonely Fish has board book thick pages, as well as content that’s OK for them, but is in a big format rectangular book. It’s also fabulous, teaches young kids how to count, is fresh, original and may nudge your young child to a graphic design career.
Continue reading One Lonely Fish, A Counting Book With Bite, that doesn’t bite
Our 5YO loves Slinky. Every time he gets the chance to enter a ‘prize bag’ where he gets to choose something he’ll always go for the Slinky. Of course, this isn’t the real metal Slinky that works, these are the cheap plastic versions that don’t really work but allow him to lasso other toys. The Marvelous Thing That Came From A Spring is the true story of how inventor Richard James’ accidental idea sprang into a toy that would last for generations.
Continue reading The Marvelous Thing That Came From A Spring, a true Hollywood Slinky story
Our oldest son’s reading teacher called the house the other day. She simply called to let us know that he was going to transition out of the ‘assisted’ class and back into the main class for reading. * He has been reading chapter books for a while and easily glides through the 10 page large print short stories his teacher sends home. For young readers that are transitioning to early chapter books Bloomsbury has a new line of books out called Read and Bloom. The first series of these young reader books are out and Agnes and Clarabelle is just the sort of thing that’ll engage elementary school students.
Continue reading Agnes and Clarabelle, early chapter books for young readers
Scoff if you will. I did too when I first read the title of the book Dracula Vs. Hitler. It’s a concept and title so base and cheesy on the surface that you expect it to be a lost screenplay for a Roger Corman film. Dracula Vs. Hitler is a perfect example of the old cliché, “don’t judge a book by its cover”. From the Iron Eagle that represents the Third Reich to the upside down Vampire Bat, complete with the full moon separating them; this is a book whose imagery sets audiences up for a pulp horror version of Death wish. Instead it delivers an intelligent book with classical hooks that have more in common with great WWII dramas and its original source material than the cheesy homage that you’d expect.
Continue reading Dracula Vs. Hitler, a taut, fun page-turner that defies expectations
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