By Nina Schuyler, The Children’s Book Review
Published: January 11, 2012

Illustration copyright © 2010 by Jarrett J. Krosoczka

Back in the days when we drank gallons of Tang and ran wild in the neighborhood like dogs without leashes, these books were called comic books. Now they’re graphic novels and have fancy covers and binding so they don’t fall apart. They’re still action-packed, with lots of sounds spelled out in capital letters and exclamation points (KLANG! OOF! SLAM! WHOOSH!). The plot usually involves the forces of good versus evil. My husband tells me graphic novels, unlike comic books, tend to involve humor.

A confession, of sorts. Yes, I had to ask my husband, who read comic books as a kid. My mother was an English teacher and in her world, comic books did not qualify as books and therefore were off-limits. I still carry a residue of that high-brow distinction, but my eight-year-old son loves them. So how did I open my front door and invite them in?

(1)   As I said, my son gobbles them up. He’ll sit on the couch for a solid hour and read. He’ll even tell me not to bother him; he’s reading.

(2)   My son (his name is Fynn. He gave me permission to reveal it) has even taken to writing his own comics;

(3)   Graphic novels are a great way to transition from shorter books to something longer. This has to build a certain confidence in a kid;

(4)   Pulitzer Prize Winning writer Michael Chabon read comic books growing up, (how else to account for The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay). Look what happened to him.

With that said, here are some graphic novels that your kids might devour:

Sidekicks

Written and Illustrated by Dan Santat.

In Sidekicks, written and illustrated by Dan Santat, Captain Amazing is getting old and decides he needs some help. He announces to the citizens of Metro City he’s going to hold auditions for a sidekick. Captain Amazing, who’s been so busy fighting crime, hasn’t been home much, so he doesn’t realize that his pets, his dog, Roscoe, his hamster, Fluffy, and chameleon, Shifty, have developed their own superpowers. They’d all love to be Captain Amazing’s sidekick, mostly because they’d get to spend more time with him. An intense competition results—who will get to be the captain’s sidekick?

According to my son, Fynn, “The pictures are amazing. And the story is really funny.”

Illustration copyright © 2011 by Dan Santat

It’s true. The pictures are amazing, in full color, with lots of blue tones to indicate the city and night time and a brownish tone to signal a flashback. It’s great fun watching a hamster take on the evil Dr. Havoc. And yes, it’s a fast read, with lots of POW! And HURRY UP! AND STOP! filling the pages, but there is a story and a sweet ending and your kid will be able to say he/she read a 217 page book. (Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.. Ages 8-11)

Lunch Lady and the Bake Sale Bandit

Written and Illustrated by Jarrett J. Krosoczka

The Lunch Lady graphic novel series, written and illustrated by Jarrett J. Krosoczka, also uses humor, action, and unexpected superheroes. In this case, as the title suggests, the lunch lady at public school is the superhero fighting crime. Krosoczka kicked off the series in July, 2009, with Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute. When Mr. Pasteur arrives at school as a substitute teacher for Mr. O’Connell, Lunch Lady is suspicious. Mr. O’Connell hasn’t been sick once in twenty years.  At the same time, the Breakfast Bunch, three kids at school become suspicious of Lunch Lady: what does she do after school? The wackiness ensues, with Lunch Lady wielding chicken nugget bombs, fish stick nunchunks, and a spatu-copter, a spatula that allows her to fly.

Illustration copyright © 2009 by Jarrett J. Krosoczka

Lunch Lady has gone on to fight evil in Lunch Lady and the League of Librarians, Lunch Lady and the Author Visit Vendetta, Lunch Lady and the Summer Camp Shakedown and Lunch Lady and the Field Trip Fiasco.

Krosoczka continues the zaniness in his most recent, Lunch Lady and the Bake Sale Bandit. The school has planned a bake sale to fund an upcoming field trip (Krosoczka manages to capture the dire financial shape of many public schools), only to have all the goodies stolen by someone. Lunch Lady and cafeteria worker, Betty, get busy. The fun comes in the many devices Lunch Lady uses to solve the mystery—a mirror broom, rubber glove suction cups to climb the walls, a cookie camera and a spork phone.

The only complaint my son has about this series—“I wish there were more and they were longer.” (Publisher: Random House Children’s Books. Ages 7-10)

Nina Schuyler‘s first novel, The Painting, (Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill/2004), was a finalist for the Northern California Book Awards. It was also selected by the San Francisco Chronicle as one of the Best Books for 2004 and a “Great Debut from 2004″ by the Rocky Mountain News. She currently teaches creative writing at the University of San Francisco and is working on a third novel.

©2012 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.

Reading Level: Ages 7-9

Add this book to your collection: Super Diaper Baby 2: The Invasion of the Potty Snatchers

Have you read this book? Rate it:
[ratings]

Video courtesy of TheScholasticChannel.

©2012 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.

By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: October 27, 2011

Monster Comics

By Mike Herrod

Doodlers and fans of monsters and comics, unite! From freaked-out moms to thirsty vampires, using clean lines and minimal color, the talented children’s book author and illustrator Mike Herrod offers kids over 30 spook-tacular monster-pieces to finish off with their own drawings. However, it’s the “Magic Monster Pen” that steals the limelight. Kids can use the pen to compose their own secret messages or design their own hidden drawings; it also magically reveals 16 invisible ink picture pages throughout the book. This is an activity book that fans of Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid are bound to enjoy. (Ages 7 and up)

Make a Mummy, Shrink a Head and Other Useful Skills

By Pat Murphy

Pat Murphy and the Scientists of Klutz Labs have put together a very unique book of activities for fearless explorers. Kids that enjoy experiments can make their very own mummy from a hot dog and a few other household items, such as toilet paper. Kids that really enjoy art and have a little patience will love turning an apple into a creepy, shrunken head. The well organized book includes fun facts and amusing photographs every step of the way. (Ages 8 and up)

PomPom Monster Salon: Create, Cut & Style Your Own Monsters

By April Chorba

This is an activity that really brings out creativity and personal style. Easy to follow instructions and simple tools make it really easy to customize homemade pompoms. Although the publisher (Klutz) recommends this activity book for 8-year-olds and up, parent or guardian participation makes it a great choice for younger children, too. (Ages 8 and up)

Wicked Cool Friendship Bracelets

By Karen Phillips

This Klutz activity book offers a spooky take on the classic friendship bracelet. Including cord, charms and beads, kids are introduced to the basics of the bracelet making process before taking on the task of creating bracelets with names such as Bitten and Cobweb. And, even when the provided supplies are all used up, you can easily buy more supplies at your local craft store. (Ages 8 and up)

You can add any of these books to your collection by clicking on the images or book titles.

©2012 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.

Publisher’s synopsis: This hilarious and inventive drawing book by animator Chris McDonnell features page after page of off-the-wall gags and fillin doodle prompts. McDonnell’s infectious humor recalls MAD magazine at its finest. Ideal for an instant laugh or for anyone looking to spark their creative side, this interactive volume is the ultimate resource for fun with pen and paper.

Add this book to your collection: Sasquatch’s Big, Hairy Drawing Book

Have you read this book? Rate it:
[ratings]

©2012 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.

©2012 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.

Add this book to your collection: It’s the First Day of School…Forever!

Have you read this book? Rate it:
[ratings]

©2012 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.

The movie version of one of my favorite books of all-time, releases on November 23, 2011. Please read the book before seeing the movie—it’s outstanding!

Add this book to your collection: The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

Have you read this book? Rate it:
[ratings]

©2012 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.

By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: July 28, 2011

Rain, hail or shine, summer, winter, fall or spring, activity books are fantastic boredom busters. They also make wonderful birthday gifts that are budget savvy. From doodles to stickers to making your own animation movies, this list of activity books showcases some of our favorites. We’ve also included a great resource for parents that is all about building your child’s self-esteem through reading, crafting and cooking.

Pinkalicious: Pinkadoodles

By Victoria Kann

Reading level: Ages 3-12

Paperback: 128 pages

Publisher: HarperFestival (May 31, 2011)

Source: Publisher

Publisher’s synopsis: Get Ready to Think Outside the Lines!

Drawing and coloring is doodlicious!

Over 100 pages of pinkatastic pictures for you to complete.

• Includes coloring, drawing, and activities to inspire creativity
• Perfect for Pinkalicious fans of all ages

Add this book to your collection: Pinkalicious: Pinkadoodles

____________________________________________________________

Vacation Doodle Book

By Scholastic

Reading level: Ages 4-8

Paperback: 64 pages

Publisher: Scholastic Inc. (May 1, 2009)

Source: Publisher

Publisher’s synopsis: This is a doodle book, a journal, and a scrap book – the perfect buy for any child going away on summer vacation! Includes more than 50 vacation-themed doodles to complete, it doesn’t require any drawing skills, just a little bit of imagination!

More doodles and activities include:

* Design your own sandcastle.

* Draw your vacation home.

* How much money are you spending?

* Which was your favorite day on vacation?

* What is dad cooking on the campfire?

* Design a flag for your family.

* Fill the beach with seashells.

* Draw the twists and turns of a rollercoaster.

Add this book to your collection: Vacation Doodle Book

____________________________________________________________

Junie B.’s These Puzzles Hurt My Brain!

By Barbara Park (Author), Denise Brunkus (Illustrator)

Reading level: Ages 6-9

Paperback: 240 pages

Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (May 24, 2011)

Source: Publisher

Publisher’s synopsis: Dear People Who Are Puzzled . . .

Ha! That was a little puzzle joke by me! JUNIE B. JONES! On account of this is my very own PUZZLE BOOK! And it is full of games and puzzles about me, me, me . . . for Y-O-U! I am excellent at games and puzzles. But some of these are stumpers, I tell you! And stumpers make my brain explode (kaboom!). This book has: * mazes (starring me!) * connect-the-dots * triangle puzzles * tangles * secret codes * coloring activities *creative-writing activities * word games *  and YAY! . . . . even STICKERS!!!!! And so quick! Grab a pencil and start puzzling yourself! Have fun!
Your friend, Junie B., Puzzler

Add this book to your collection: Junie B.’s These Puzzles Hurt My Brain!

____________________________________________________________

Dinosaurs on the Move: Movable Paper Figures to Cut, Color, and Assemble

By Cathy Diez-Luckie

Reading level: Ages 6-12

Paperback: 48 pages

Publisher: Figures In Motion; 1st edition (April 15, 2010)

Source: Publicist

Publisher’s synopsis: Educators and parents introduce the wonder of natural history and inspire a love of paleontology (ages 6-12) with this creative learning tool, featuring easy-to-assemble dinosaurs in pre-colored and colorable versions. Now children can make movable dinosaur action figures! Move their jaws, clash their teeth, make their powerful legs run, as children act out their own dinosaur battles. Includes Allosaurus, Brachiosaurus, Triceratops, Tyrannosaurus Rex, plus dinosaur facts for hours of creative play.

Add this book to your collection: Dinosaurs on the Move: Movable Paper Figures to Cut, Color, and Assemble

____________________________________________________________

Famous Figures of Ancient Times: Movable Paper Figures to Cut, Color, and Assemble

By Cathy Diez-Luckie

Reading level: Ages 6-12

Paperback: 96 pages

Publisher: Figures In Motion; 1st Edition edition (February 24, 2009)

Source: Publicist

Publisher’s synopsis: Make Your Own Action Figures From Ancient History! Make history come alive in Ancient Egypt, Greece, China, Rome, and Jerusalem! Cut-and-color or pre-coloered action figures really move ans you play out the lives of Julius Caesar, Alexander the Great, King David, Jesus, Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi, Hannibal (and his elephant!) and other – or make up your own stories about these powerful men whose fame has lasted for thousands of years. Yes, they really move! Move their arms and legs, use their swords and shields, and act out their stories at home or at school – over and over again. History has never been so much fun! Emperors! Conquerors! Philosophers! These 20 people shaped history – and our world today. Yes, you can also read about their amazing lives, right in this book. Attention Teachers and Parents: use this book to reinforce the wonder of history and to support any ancient history curriculum through hands-on activities. Note: Your child will need a hole punch and inexpensive fasteners (available at stationary or craft stores-please see resources page).

Add this book to your collection: Famous Figures of Ancient Times: Movable Paper Figures to Cut, Color, and Assemble

____________________________________________________________

Sticker Design Studio: Create Your Own Custom Stickers

By Karen Phillips

Reading level: Ages 8 and up

Spiral-bound: 54 pages

Publisher: Klutz; Spi edition (January 1, 2011)

Source: Publisher

Publisher’s synopsis: Girls stick stickers on everything: binders, birthday cards, diaries, door signs, love notes, lunch bags whatever needs a little coolification. It’s like putting your personal mark on the world. But to make your mark truly personal, stick with Sticker Design Studio. The book is packed with over 500 cute die-cut designs you mix, match, color, and layer to create your own unique stickers. Glittery accents provide that all-important sparkle, while light gray linework gives just the right amount of artistic help. Once they are inked over, the lines become nearly invisible so only your creative genius shows. Since each design can be completed in countless ways, each finished sticker can be completely unique. In addition to ready-to-color stickers, the book features colorful pages of tips, inspiration, and guided creativity to encourage the artistically un-gifted. Even if you can’t draw a heart, you can still ink one in your own unique style. And when you’re done, it’s not just a doodle in a page, it’s a one-of-a-kind sparkly seal. Your heart is sticker art!

Add this book to your collection: Sticker Design Studio: Create Your Own Custom Stickers

____________________________________________________________

Stamp Art (Klutz)

By Kaitlyn Nichols

Reading level: Ages 8 and up

Hardcover: 56 pages

Publisher: Klutz; Spi Har/to edition (September 15, 2011)

Source: Publisher

Publisher’s synopsis: Stamp Art makes stamping simpler – and more creative – than ever. Stick the included shapes on the see-through acrylic block to create your own one-of-a-kind stamp design. Full of inspirational artwork and instruction, this stamp-right-in-it book shows how to create animals, flowers, houses, aliens… anything you can dream up.

Add this book to your collection: Stamp Art (Klutz)

____________________________________________________________

The Klutz Book of Animation: Make Your Own Stop Motion Movies

By Nicholas Berger (Author), John Cassiday (Editor)

Reading level: Ages 9 and up

Hardcover: 72 pages

Publisher: Klutz; Spi edition (March 15, 2010)

Source: Publisher

Publisher’s synopsis: Welcome to the wide-open world of animation. It used to take an empire the size of the Magic Kingdom to make an animated film. And to get viewers, you’d need access to cineplexes or television networks. In other words, you were either in the industry or in the audience. That was then. Today, creating animation for a potential audience of 600 million requires a laptop, a camera, and an internet connection. That’s it. The barriers have come down, the people have taken over, and the results are amazing. The Klutz Book of Animation is a complete how-to treatment of this newly accessible art form. It combines practical instruction and ready-to-shoot scripts. Real-life samples of all the projects are viewable online — the perfect marriage of book and web. Speaking of web, the software you’ll need is available as a free download. It’s plug and play on any computer (PC or Mac). Attached to the book is a piece of low-tech, non-toxic clay, ready to be molded into a million different heroes starring in a million different films — all of them animatedly yours.

Add this book to your collection: The Klutz Book of Animation: Make Your Own Stop Motion Movies

____________________________________________________________

Show Me How! Build Your Child’s Self-Esteem Through Reading, Crafting and Cooking

By Vivian Kirkfield

Paperback: 256 pages

Publisher: MoneyPenny Press, Ltd.; 1ST edition (2010)

Source: Author

Publisher’s synopsis: This reality-based program provides fun-filled educational activities that parents and children will enjoy. “Using this book with children will not only help build their self-esteem, it’ll also turn them into life-long readers and lovers of books! I wish SHOW ME HOW! had existed when my own children were young.”—Suzanne Williams, author of over 27 children’s books. “A wonderful resource for people who care about their children and hope to better their reading and learning experience”—Norman Bridwell, author of Clifford the Big Red Dog. With keen insight and proven experience, Ms. Kirkfield empowers parents with simple and effective strategies to help their children develop a positive self-image. Chapter One, “I CAN DO IT MYSELF”, focuses on mastering tasks and skills. Chapter Four, “I AM REALLY MAD RIGHT NOW!”, shows how important it is to be able to express our feelings. This book is the answer to a busy parent’s prayer. With the turn of every page, you will build self-esteem, develop pre-reading skills and create a life-long parent-child bond.

Add this book to your collection: Show Me How! Build Your Child’s Self-Esteem Through Reading, Crafting and Cooking

____________________________________________________________

©2012 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.

Add this book to your collection: Squish #1: Super Amoeba

Have you read this book? Rate it:
[ratings]

©2012 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.

By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: June 8, 2011

You have an iPad and your kids are always begging for a turn. Put that screen-time to good use with quality apps that encourage reading. We’ve tested loads of apps that will do just that.

Here are some of the best iPad apps for kids:

How Rocket Learned to Read

Developer’s synopsis: Featuring the original story and artwork by Tad Hills, with delightful animations, lots of interactivity and two additional games to play [make] this a captivating app.

Why we love it: From the “word of the day” to the interactive games, this app is the perfect blend of story magic and entertaining learning.

Be Confident in Who You Are

Developer’s synopsis: Be Confident in Who You Are will be a sure-fire hit with 8-14 year olds. (Even those who don’t like to read!) As a bonus for parents and teachers, this app puts thought-provoking entertainment and solutions into the hands of teens who deal with these personal issues every day.

Why we love it: The graphic novel format and zoom capabilities for frame-by-frame reading has complete kid-appeal.

Pat the Bunny

Developer’s synopsis: Designed especially for toddlers and preschoolers, the app features 14 fully interactive scenes your kids can tap, swipe, and explore.

Why we love it: Fans of the original and must-have Pat the Bunny will easily immerse themselves in the ready-to-explore scenes. For those with front-facing cameras, the “look in the mirror” feature is combines the original and classic fun with technology beautifully.

Tacky the Penguin by Oceanhouse Media

Developer’s synopsis: To promote reading in young children, individual words are highlighted as the story is read and words zoom up when pictures are touched. By combining the original text and artwork with features that entertain and promote reading, this omBook appeals to readers of all ages.

Why we love it: Because it is nice to have a classic book while you are on the go.

The Velveteen Rabbit

Developer’s synopsis: Meryl Streep shares the tale of love so powerful it can turn a toy bunny into a real rabbit. Read along, play along, and record your voice with apps for families from Ruckus Media!

Why we love it: Meryl Streep. Need I say more? Audio heaven combined with blissful illustrations.

John Henry

Developer’s synopsis: Denzel Washington tells the tale of Big John Henry and his hammer, stronger and faster than any machine. Read along, play along, and record your voice with apps for families from Ruckus Media!

Why we love it: And the celebrity readings keep coming … Denzel Washington. This app is 100% quality and we love the “Read and Record” function.

©2012 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.