Tag: We're Reading

What We’re Reading – Mighty Jack and Zita the Spacegirl by Ben Hatke

Posted on July 29, 2022 by Sarah

Mighty Jack and Zita the Spacegirl by Ben Hatke is a middle grade graphic novel (my kid enjoyed it at 5-6 years old, but I think the titular Jack is at least 12 yo in the book and I fully enjoyed the story as an adult).

Actually, we’re reading the collected works of Ben Hatke, because he easter-eggs characters from all of his books in his other books, and once we read one (I think we started with Julia’s House for Lost Creatures), the kiddo wants to read them all and figure out why the dragon in Julia looks familiar (it’s a hero in Mighty Jack, and makes a cameo as a baby in Nobody Likes a Goblin). Ben Hatke is one of my inspirations, too, as an artist and a storyteller. His picture books are really lovely pen, ink, and watercolor (what I love to make) and his graphic novels are bold, energetic, and fun.

ANYWAY.

Mighty Jack and Zita the Spacegirl is a mashup sequel to both the… you guessed it, Mighty Jack AND Zita the Spacegirl books. The Jack stories are a little bit older target audience than Zita (I’d say solidly middle-grade, with a maybe 13 year old protagonist, vs Zita who we meet at a younger age and worked for my kid at 5 years old). It’s a retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk… loosely… in that there’s a really awesome garden that opens up a portal to other worlds and there are kids climbing on beanstalks and eventually the adventure saves the family home. Do you like magical gardens? YEAH! Start with MIGHTY JACK and go from there. Prefer space adventures and maybe have a younger kid? Start with ZITA THE SPACEGIRL, a space-portal adventure about saving your friends and making new ones on the way, with lots of cute and/or creepy many-worlds characters. Either way, get all three of the books in the series you’re starting, because you will surely want to keep reading.

HEARTS!!
Sarah

What We’re Reading – Owly by Andy Runton

Posted on July 18, 2022July 18, 2022 by Sarah

Owly by Andy Runton

Early reader graphic novel, ages 4+

Oh my goodness pals, this is such a SWEET series. Not cloying, but just genuine and kind and lovely. Owly, who speaks only in icons, is a flightless owl who feeds birds, even though they’re terrified of him. He wants a friend… and his kindness in helping others despite their fear gets him MANY over the course of the series to date (including his bestie Wormy, humminbirds, a possum, a butterfly, and some bluebird buds). My 7 year old, who is totally into fighting goblins and being intense, is in love with the the gentle kindness and the relatable adventures. He also likes that there aren’t a lot of words and they’re nearly always paired with iconography, so he can understand the story without an adult or too much struggle. And they’re fun to read aloud, with just enough emotional tension to keep everyone really rooting for Owly and his buds.

What We’re Reading – Hilo: The Boy Who Crashed to Earth by Judd Winick

Posted on June 28, 2022 by Sarah

Hilo: The Boy who Crashed to Earth by Judd Winick

Graphic Novel series for middle grade readers (I’m guessing ages 6-12 interest level, 9+ reading level)

Robots! Robots that look like kids! A robot that crashes to earth and learns to burp! And then fights intergalactic robot powers with two human kids and a robot sister and a magical cat warrior! Seriously, there is nothing not to like about this series, unless you’re not into fantasy-adventure punctuated with burp jokes. If you’re not into those things, probably this is not the mini-book-review site for you, because my kid and I love mild rudeness, unexpected magic, and drama. My reluctant-reading rising 2nd grade kiddo does all the sound effects, and is learning to recognize Hilo’s catchphrase (“Outstanding!”), so we call it a team reading effort. Highly recommend, and don’t think you’ll get away with just having book 1. We absolutely tore through the 6 book series!

What We’re Reading – Donut Feed the Squirrels by Mika Song

Posted on June 17, 2022 by Sarah

Graphic novel for young readers (4-8) – Donut Feed the Squirrels by Mika Song

A romp for the family, from littlest on up. Clever squirrels Norma and Belly want pancakes… but in their excitement they got burned! But there’s still a good smell in the air… I laughed on most pages as Norma and Belly scheme to get donuts from the new food truck in the park. There are physical gags, machines going wrong, delicious snacks, and more. It follows a heist format with a getaway car, a wise advisor, and lots of challenges. The squirrels jump on each new problem with good humor and short-lasting dismay, and we’re left smiling.