The pregnant pause that older readers hear that two excellent, thought out characters will be in the same book can be painful. On one hand you want to see them in the same book, but you also hold your breath, in hope that the author is skilled enough to accomplish what fans want from the series. Mighty Jack and Zita the Spacegirl gave me a huge grin and hope for the team up when I heard that the third book in Jack’s series would be the team-up. If you know this series of graphic novels from Ben Hatke, the news probably did the same for you. Rest easy and read on, Mighty Jack and Zita the Spacegirl is everything you’d hoped it be and more monsters.
This is a great ending, jumping on point or continuation for readers of this awesome series for ages 8 and upTag: graphic novel
Kitten Construction Company, A Bridge Too Fur, pun for ages 6-10
Mewberg has its brand-new, stat of the art sports stadium and it was built by cats. That’s what happened in Kitten Construction Company as the House Kittens that no other company could complete. Sampson, the engineer, Professor von Wigglebottom on masonry, Bubbles the plumber and the architect Marmalade. In the Kitten Construction Company: A Bridge Too Fur, the crew takes on a tougher challenge-to build the new Mewberg bridge. For a variety of elementary school aged readers this series will entertain them or give them motivation to read.
A Bridge Too fur, graphic novel for the non-super elementary kidScience Comics: Cats, as enjoyable as a kitten video, but educational too
Graphic novels are meant to be entertaining and are incapable of being educational. Granted readers might gleam something from the art and the book’s cultural relevance, but on the whole, it’s for fun. It’s OK if you have thought that. Education and entertainment sometimes don’t mix. That’s why the best teachers, the ones that you still remember from middle school managed to entertain you while they were teaching you. They lower your defenses and then –BAM, start the soft messaging of teaching you something. Science Comics: Cats is like that and for middle school readers and up who want to learn about animals that will leave you feline fine keep on reading.
Science Comics: Cats, as enjoyable as a kitten video, but educational tooLaser Moose and Rabbit Boy: Time Trout, an excellent all age graphic novel
If you’ve listened to our podcast then you’ve probably heard us talk about all age graphic novels vs. kid’s graphic novels (or graphic novels for kids, if you prefer). Laser Moose is a series of original graphic novels from Doug Savage on Andrews McMeel Publishing that is as great as an all age graphic novel can get. If Marvel Action: Spider-Man from IDW Publishing is one of our go-to examples for a great all age comic book (and it is), then Laser Moose is its graphic novel equivalent. “Name a great all age graphic novel”, some yeehaw might ask me at a party. Without hesitation I’d say this series from Savage, especially this addition, it’s most time-travelled episode yet, Laser Moose and Rabbit Boy: Time Trout.
If you’re looking for a textbook example of a great, original all age graphic novel, this is itThe Red Zone, An Earthquake Story for ages 8 and up
In 2016 a series of earthquakes hit central Italy. Author Silva Vecchini was not in the affected area, but did assist many of the survivors. Along with artist Sualzo, they’ve created an original graphic novel about the aftermath of a major earthquake, moving on and it impacts children. That’s a tall order. But it pulls it off as The Red Zone was awarded the 2018 Attilio Micheluzzi Awards for Best Comics For Kids.
The Red Zone An earthquake Story is real-life, approachable and for ages 8 and upMr. Wolf’s Class, Lucky Stars delivers the elementary reader goods
If you’re one of those elementary school parents who yearn for an original graphic novel that will appeal to your children Mr. Wolf’s Class, Lucky Stars is for you. Also, if you’re one of those elementary school students who want a think, entertaining graphic novel that perfectly captures life as you know it, check out Mr. Wolf’s Class, Lucky Stars. This book is proof that you don’t need potty humor to engage the reading bug in those students who between 6 and 9.
If you’re looking for a great graphic novel for elementary aged kids, this is it.