It’s not perfect, but it holds appeal for casual perusal.
A browsable book exploring common English-language proverbs and idioms and some of their counterparts in a variety of countries.
Originally a Kickstarter project, this book collects hundreds of idioms and phrases from the English language and contrasts them with their counterparts in many other countries and cultures, from Armenia and Argentina to Sierra Leone and South Korea. An introduction provides brief definitions of proverbs and idioms, as well as why it is important to explore cultural differences among languages, before diving in. Most phrases are allocated a single page with a large illustrative cartoon; the English-language translation appears in an all-caps header, with the phrase in the original language and the nationality attribution just below it, along with an interpretation. Double-page spreads exploring interpretations of one specific phrase (for example, “when the cat’s away, the mice will play”) feature multiple quoted phrases translated to English with their nation of origin in parentheses, with the quote in its originating language included in the backmatter. There are no source notes or information on how these phrases were gathered and translated. Friendly, silly cartoon illustrations stylistically akin to Mike Lowery’s include racially diverse humans, but most wear nondescript Western attire, and their character designs do not relay the diversity of ethnicities represented in the idiom choices. Perplexingly, some illustrations actively misinterpret the phrase’s meaning.
It’s not perfect, but it holds appeal for casual perusal. (Nonfiction. 9-14)Pub Date: Sept. 28, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-5248-6146-9
Page Count: 208
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
Review Posted Online: Aug. 17, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
A likable journey that is sensitive to the triumphs and agonies of being a 13-year-old girl.
Shannon just wants to get through eighth grade in one piece—while feeling like her own worst enemy.
In this third entry in popular author for young people Hale’s graphic memoir series, the young, sensitive overachiever is crushed by expectations: to be cool but loyal to her tightknit and dramatic friend group, a top student but not a nerd, attractive to boys but true to her ideals. As events in Shannon’s life begin to overwhelm her, she works toward finding a way to love and understand herself, follow her passions for theater and writing, and ignore her cruel inner voice. Capturing the visceral embarrassments of middle school in 1987 Salt Lake City, Shannon’s emotions are vivid and often excruciating. In particular, the social norms of a church-oriented family are clearly addressed, and religion is shown as being both a comfort and a struggle for Shannon. While the text is sometimes in danger of spelling things out a little too neatly and obviously, the emotional honesty and sincerity drawn from Hale’s own life win out. Pham’s artwork is vibrant and appealing, with stylistic changes for Shannon’s imaginings and the leeching out of color and use of creative panel structures as her anxiety and depression worsen.
A likable journey that is sensitive to the triumphs and agonies of being a 13-year-old girl. (author's note, gallery) (Graphic memoir. 10-14)Pub Date: Aug. 31, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-250-31755-1
Page Count: 320
Publisher: First Second
Review Posted Online: June 10, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2021
An unusually personal view of World War I’s early days, conveyed by new illustrations grafted to a French soldier’s chance-found diary.
Dated Aug. 3 to Sept. 5, 1914, the anonymous diary tersely records mustering, train rides, weary marches, efforts to scrounge up provisions and billeting, much digging of trenches, and advances and retreats under enemy artillery fire. Aside from occasional thoughts of family left behind, the writer’s observations are detached in tone—even gruesome sights of a human leg caught in a tree and heavily wounded patients in a hospital ward are only noted in passing. Along with portraying how he rescued the account from a pile of curbside rubbish, Barroux illustrates the diary with large panels of heavy-lined drawings made with butcher’s pencil and a pale yellow varnish wash. Most depict somber figures in uniform, drawn with geometrical noses that give them the look of puppets or mannequins, trudging through sheets of rain or sketched rural settings. The diary’s abrupt end leaves the writer wounded but complaining of boredom as he recuperates; the artist closes with sample pages from a handwritten album of songs found with the document. In a passionate introductory note, Michael Morpurgo invites readers to “weep” over these glimpses of war. American children, at least, may not shed many tears, but they should come away feeling closer to understanding what that century-old conflict must have been like to those who fought in it. (Graphic memoir. 11-14)
Pub Date: July 1, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-907912-39-9
Page Count: 96
Publisher: Phoenix/Trafalgar
Review Posted Online: May 3, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2014
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