Graphic Novels for Kids: a 3-for-1 post!

 My son loves comic books and graphic novels.  In fact, he asks me to pick up new ones for him every time I go to the library (a couple times each month).  He doesn't really care what they're about, as long as "you think I'll like them".

Earlier this summer, I picked up three graphic novels I thought he'd enjoy...mainly because I thought that I would enjoy them.  And I did.  So, one at a time, and without further ado...

The Tea Dragon Festival, by K. O'Neill

I saw this book and was immediately in love with the illustrations.  The landscapes and use of color were so beautiful to me, and the little critters (called "tea dragons" -- look around the girl's feet) were cute AF.  I love tea.  I love critters.  I love this type of illustration.  Naturally, I needed to read this book.  

Touted as "a lovely, gentle fantasy" (Kirkus), it sounded like a calming, delightful sort of read that would be even more delightfully accompanied by the previously described images.  While it did deliver in both of these categories, I must confess, I was caught off guard by the whole notion of how "inclusive" it is.  Friends, it's woke.  

Maybe that's your thing.  Maybe it isn't.  It honestly annoyed me more than anything because I don't like pushing agendas of any kind on children, who are clearly this book's target audience.  While yes, the notion of gender fluidity did come up, it was mostly just in passing, and could be easily missed.  It was indeed forced and contrived (things that piss me off about writing in general), but it wasn't the primary theme of the story.  I cannot comment on how present these themes are in the other Tea Dragon books as I have not read those.  Unfortunately, I will not be likely to do so, due to the clear motives behind graphic novelist K. O'Neill.  Bummer.  I like tea, but this just isn't my cup of it.

Super Narwhal and Jelly Jolt (A Narwhal and Jelly Book, #2), by Ben Clanton

I love narwhals.  Maybe I don't say it enough but, from the moment I learned that they were real, actual creatures (!), I was smitten.  There is nothing I love more unda da sea.

Narwhal and Jelly books do not need to be read in order, so it was no problem that this was the first one that I picked up.  Unlike the previously discussed Tea Dragon books, Super Narwhal and Jelly Jolt pushes no agenda beyond having fun with your friends, using your imagination, and including others when you play.  In terms of inclusion, I personally believe this needs to be where we shift our focus when communicating these values to kids.  Regardless of your beliefs, I think we can all get on board with Narwhal and Jelly.

Wizkit: An Adventure Overdue, by Tanya J. Scott

A one-eyed cat who is learning to become a wizard?  YES PLEASE!!!! 

Wizkit, a lazy, bread-loving student of wizardry overhears sobbing in her house.  When she and her teacher discover an overdue library book that wants to be returned home, Wizkit and the book are sent on an adventure back to the library.  Along the way, they use their imaginations to fill the book's blank pages, solve problems they encounter, and meet new friends.  Wizkit learns the power of books, using your mind, and getting off your butt to create your own fun -- lessons we can all stand to learn!

Three new graphic novels for the kiddos.  No Pulitzer prizes here, just fun: plain and simple!

Persepolis and Persepolis 2, by Marjane Satrapi

For better or worse, we all remember our childhoods.  The ups, the downs, the highlights and major moments -- it's all there.

Iranian graphic novelist, Marjane Satrapi, recounts her childhood (roughly ages 6-14) growing up in Tehran in Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood.  As a child, Satrapi witnessed the overthrow of the Shah of Iran, the subsequent Islamic Revolution, and the crippling war with Iraq.  Raised by passionate Marxists in a precarious time, Satrapi's unique views of the world were shaped by her family and her environment.  Nevertheless, she was a child and an adolescent girl who experienced all the things that girls do: friendships, nail polish, boyfriends, school, and -sometimes- being too mouthy for her own good.

In the follow-up, Persepolis 2: The Story of a Return, Satrapi recounts her life as a teenage student -alone and abroad- in Europe.  While she was sent to Austria to escape the dangers of war-torn Iran under an intense and extreme regime, her world remained precarious.  She navigated adolescence without the loving guidance of her parents, who had to stay in Iran, and trouble often ensued.  Persepolis 2 brings Satrapi into adulthood, returning to Iran, then traveling abroad once again (this time to France).

It is hard to imagine a coming of age like the unique one experienced by Marjane Satrapi.  Most of us have our own stories, but few of them involve the horrors she witnessed.  Nevertheless, Satrapi tells her story with wit, the dark humor required to survive such trauma, and an amazing cohesion that ties all these seemingly unrelated life events into a continuous story.  

As graphic novels, Persepolis and Persepolis 2 are rather "quick and easy reads", despite the weight of their contents.  While my library categorizes them as Young Adult graphic novels, I would recommend they be reserved for more mature YA readers.  Yes, a teenager could handle it, but they are heavy and, sometimes, quite graphic and/or violent.

Ultimately, these are intriguing reads by a very talented graphic novelist.  Fascinating and informative, hilarious and heartbreaking, I would recommend them to anyone looking for a new perspective or world experience.

Spider-Man: Spider-Verse -- Spider-Men, Various Writers/Artists

[SHORTY POST]

Every once in awhile, my kids bring home those Scholastic Book catalogs from school.  You remember, the ones we used to get as kids?  Anyway, we are pretty big Spider-Man fans in our house, so I ordered a set of Marvel comics, which included this collection of a few random editions of Spider-Man publications:

Spider-Man: Spider-Verse -- Spider-Men, includes the following five random and (mostly) unrelated editions:

• Spider-Men #4-5, Writer Brian Michael Bendis
• Edge of Spider-Verse #1, Writers David Hine with Fabrice Sapolsky
• Edge of Spider-Verse #5, Writer Gerard Way
• Spider-Ham 25th Anniversary Special #1, Writer Tom DeFalco

What I didn't realize when I got this gift set was that this particular comic was for older kids.  Oops.  My bad.  A couple of the above titles contain some violent images that bothered my daughter so I decided to do what I probably should have done initially, and read it myself.  I haven't read a lot of comic books and graphic novels in my life, but certainly a few.  I do enjoy them as quicker reads and the way that you can find yourself quite lost in them.  

Of these five, I most enjoyed Spider-Men #4-5 (featuring all of the mainstream Spider-Man characters:  Peter Parker, Miles Morales, Mary Jane Watson, Gwen Stacy, Aunt May, Mysterio, along with Nick Fury, Thor, Tony Stark, Hawkeye) and Spider-Ham (featuring Peter Porker, Aunt May, Mary Crane, J.Jonah Jackal, and the Swinester Six: Dr. Octopussy, Mysteriape, Eelectro, Green Gobbler, Sandmanatee, and The Buzzard).  

Edge of Spider-Verse #1 (featuring 1939 journalist Peter Parker) was so-so and I was just plain bored by Edge of Spider-Verse #5 (Peni Parker and the SP//DR suit).

Final word: I'm not about to go hit up a comic book shop because, while I do enjoy a good superhero read, I'm more intrigued by other forms of literature.  However, if one happens to land in my lap, you know I'll read it.  In fact, I may go raid some more of the kids' comic books.  You know, for research.

Sue & Tai-chan (Books #2, #3, #4), by Konami Kanata

Cats.  Manga.  Cats.  Kawaii.  Cats.  Silliness.  Cats.  Warmth.  Cats.

Sensing a theme?

Whether or not you are into graphic novels, comics, manga (Japanese cartoons in print form), or kawaii (culture of "cuteness" in Japan), all cat lovers can appreciate this series.  I was first introduced to Sue & Tai-chan by my daughter, who happened upon the first book in the series at our local library.  She shared bits and pieces of this charming work by Konami Kanata with me as she progressed through it herself, and we soon discovered that it was only the first of an entire series.  After receiving books #1-4 for her birthday, we sped through them with joy and ease.  (I personally have only read books #2, #3, and #4 in their entirety.)

Sue & Tai-chan are the titular feline characters in this collection of cat-based manga.  Sue, an aging and dignified kitty, is eager to settle into her restful golden years with her person (Natsuki).  One day, a friend asks Natsuki to care for his new kitten, Tai-chan (or Tai, as the suffix "chan" is a term of endearment).  Tai-chan is everything we know and love about kittens: friendly, fearless, full of energy, loving, curious, insane, and painfully adorable.  Suddenly, Sue's world is entirely different from what she'd been anticipating previously.  Instead of naps punctuated only by food and bathroom breaks, she finds herself playing with, entertaining, and teaching Tai-chan about being a house cat.  Using humor, subtlety, and feline antics familiar only to an animal lover, Kanata will steal your heart by way of these two lovable keets and all of their feline friends.

[Bonus: Kanata also weaves in nuggets of Japanese culture, making this a valuable learning experience for readers young and old.  There are often explanations for traditions (think Lunar New Year customs in Japan) at the end of the book, making it educational, accessible, and fun!]

This series is an excellent "light read" and fits perfectly between heavier novels or works of non-fiction.  They may be a great choice for kids to read on their own, but I would strongly recommend reading them alongside your child(ren); you won't want to miss out on the fun yourself!  The short chapters and dialogue-based narrative make these easy reads perfect for a vacation or a boring-ass waiting room.  You may only seem slightly crazy for laughing by yourself.   >^-^<