Books | Page 38 of 82

Ghoulia and the Doomed Manor, a loved and detailed graphic novel

Readers love seeing one of their favorite book series as they continue to improve upon its initial quality or enjoyment. Ghoulia, a graphic novel series from author/illustrator Barbara Cantini has maintained its very high level of quality and proved that a dead girl, and her also dead family, can bring life and excitement to ages eight and up. Ghoulia and the Doomed Manor is the fourth book in this series that really has that something special.

The details on the cover allude to something really cool inside

Be The Dragon, self-help for kids that’s disguised as fun reading

Our 9YO is still trying to figure out who he is. He knows what he doesn’t like and is constantly trying to figure out a shortcut to get to the things or characteristics that he does want to emulate. That is a work in progress as any parent or educator can attest to. Be The Dragon, 9 Keys to Unlocking Your Inner Magic seeks to help those kids aged eight and up ask and answer questions that might direct them to figure things out a little bit.

Be The Dragon is self-help for ages 8 and up that’s loaded with great, engaging art, fun quizzes and stories they can relate to.

Self-help for the 8YO you seek…

Ganbatte!, breaks down the secret sauce to being happy

Come get some. For Bruce Campbell or Joe Rogan fans, that phrase is as empowering as they come. For only three words, that phrase, to those who are down with the character Ash from the series can mean almost anything. Ganbatte is a Japanese phrase that loosely translates to ‘do your best’, but that’s where things can get lost or watered down in translation. In reality ‘ganbatte’ is an encouraging way of thinking that can power a society, and more specifically you. That phrase may be a bit too ‘chicken soup for the empowering phrase soul’, but hear me out. Even if you know nothing about Japanese language or culture, Ganbatte! The Japanese Art of Always Moving Forward is a book that upper-middle readers through senior citizens will grasp something from.

Ganbatte! is a unique book that occupies the space in the business thought/motivational/life improvement/cultural studies shelf at the store. Western audiences can somewhat equate its meaning to some sports analogies, but “ganbatte” is much stronger, personal, powerful, and impactful.

vague in definition, but, ganbatte can help anyone

Pigskins to Paintbrushes, a life and book to inspire readers 8 and up

Non-fiction illustrated books have a special place in the classroom and library. Depending on the reader’s level they can provide a brief introduction into a true story, a deeper dive into a piece of history, motivate further reading, or more. Pigskins to Paintbrushes, The Story of Football-Playing Artist Ernie Barnes is one of those illustrated books that will have readers in those categories and more. It’s a book that will also draw in those kids who want to read about sports. Of course, all of this is a moot point unless the book is entertaining and one that kids will relate to.

Pigskins to Paintbrushes is so much more than the story of an artist turned football player, or vice versa. It’s inspiring, fun to read, empowering and teachable also.

This is an example of what non-fiction illustrated books should aspire to

Vegetables In Halloween Costumes, dress-up mirth for crawlers

Jared Chapman potty trained my children. It’s not that author/illustrator, Jared Chapman has a side hustle wandering the country training toddlers about the virtues of going to the bathroom in the toilet. Among other books, he’s the author of Vegetables In Underwear. Vegetables In Halloween Costumes takes that theme, focuses on the carrot, and lets crawlers through pre-k kids loose with the laughs.

Vegetables in Halloween Costumes has the produce Jared Chapman has made famous and gives them the chance to dress up.

This is a great halloween board book to start the crawlers out with

Beautifully Me, a well-intentioned book kids won’t want to read

The Venn Diagram of authors, publishers, and readers is complex. Authors want everyone to read their books. Publishers love books that sell and readers have a variety of entry points. That last category could be a book that’s entertaining, fun to read (or look at), makes you think, teaches a lesson, or educates. It’s those last two classifications that are often the trickiest to maneuver in illustrated books. Beautifully Me is the story of Zubi, an overweight kid who is starting pre-K. It’s an illustrated book whose message about accepting everyone for who they are needs to be heard by young readers.

Beautifully Me is a book that wears its noble intentions on its sleeve, but doesn’t stick the landing due to the illustrations and ironically, the message.

A message that kids need in a book that’s preachy

The Dire Days of Willowweep Manor, a graphic novel that upends its cover

The Dire Days of Willoweep Manor is a delightful surprise. As the adage goes, don’t judge a book by its cover, and this graphic novel gives a very self-aware wink to what people might be thinking when they see this book. The cover has a young girl with a sword, a young man with a small knife, and a swarm of rabbits with glowing green eyes all of whom are in front of a Victorian-era castle. If you’re an older reader and don’t like genre switching ploys your radar will go off. If you’re not a fan of Victorian or romantic era graphic novels-even if they have a twist, you’ll be on edge too. If you have those expectations then rest easy because The Dire Days of Willowweep Manor subvertsboth of them and is a fabulous graphic novel for ages nine and up. It’s a graphic novel that playfully goes between humor and science-fiction with ease and one that will satisfy girl readers, as well as boys.

The Dire Days of Willowweep Manor tweaks the stereotypes of what you think it will be resulting in a relentlessly entertaining read.

A graphic novel that ages 9 and up will go bonkers for

The Longest Storm is a timeless, new classic for the forever library

When The Longest Storm arrived at our house it felt like an old friend had come back home. It’s the first book that we’ve read by author/illustrator Dan Yaccarino, and we’re admittedly late to the party. Parents who have elementary-aged kids know his work from The Backyardigans, Doug Unplugged, I Am A Story, or any of his other creations that channel the feelings and emotions of that age. For us, The Longest Storm reminded us of a classic that we loved as a child, Harry The Dirty Dog. Yaccarino’s art style, the brevity of words, the stark-yet natural choice of colors, and the universal story make this a book that any young reader will enjoy.

The Longest Storm is a timeless, new-classic that melds a scarcity of words, stark colors, fabulous illustrations and a story any kid can understand.

Yeowza, here’s a book that says so much, while having such few words