A promising introduction to a new series featuring a winsome group of dragon pals.
Welcome to Ember City on the day young dragons learn what their Spark is.
Several dragons are attending the Spark Day Ceremony to find out what their special talents are, among them best friends Li, a green dragon who “always carries glue in case of emergencies,” Runa, a blue dragon who “thinks googly eyes can solve any problem,” and Drake, a flame-colored dragon with big ideas, as well as Fizz, a winged yellow dragon who doesn’t “always see eye to eye” with Drake. After everyone discovers their new powers, Mayor Copper leaves them with some advice: “Remember: our Sparks shine their brightest when we use them to help one another....” These words of wisdom are soon forgotten when, at the celebration party, Drake and Fizz compete to see who has the best Spark and, in the process, shatter the legendary disco ball made “with the Sparks from all the dragons on the very first Spark Day.” When their individual efforts to repair the disco ball fail, sometimes with hilarious consequences, and alternative solutions prove impractical, the young dragons finally remember the mayor’s words and work together to restore the disco ball. This first book in a new graphic series for young readers consists of six short chapters illustrated with eye-catching, action-packed illustrations and plenty of onomatopoeia to make reading fun.
A promising introduction to a new series featuring a winsome group of dragon pals. (Graphic novel. 6-9)Pub Date: Oct. 11, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-5344-7524-3
Page Count: 96
Publisher: Aladdin
Review Posted Online: Aug. 30, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2022
An easy handoff to animal lovers.
Squirrel wars, furballs, and a new family member are just a few of the problems pets face in this humorous graphic novel for younger readers.
Crackers, a dog with a big to-do list—barking, napping, peeing outside, barking again, and sniffing stuff—lives with Butter, a wise cat who fantasizes about boxes and can openers. The two live in harmony until their human (seen only as a pair of light-brown hands) brings home Peanut, a panting puppy who pees on the floor, eats Crackers’ food, interrupts nap time, and keeps both Crackers and Butter up at night. After their human leaves them alone with Peanut and a disastrous mess of garbage, strewn toilet paper, and chewed shoes, books, and furniture results, they think that this will end Peanut’s stay. When Peanut receives only a finger-wagging, Butter devises a plan that ends with Peanut lost and alone. Readers, especially those with pets, will find comedic recognition in the antics of these three furry friends and pleased satisfaction when Butter’s and Crackers’ moral compasses kick in, Peanut’s rescue creating a bond that brings the three together. With humor that is observant and good-natured, Braddock’s engaging comic-book paneling and pacing are an ideal match for early readers ready to delve into something a little longer. (Efird contributes the colors.) The banter between Crackers and Butter reveals genuine affection between the two, and Peanut’s puppy earnestness is endearing.
An easy handoff to animal lovers. (Graphic fiction. 6-9)Pub Date: Sept. 22, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-593-11743-9
Page Count: 96
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: July 13, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2020
PERSPECTIVES
PERSPECTIVES
Children who appreciate being a little smarter than the characters they read about will relish it.
In Chapter 1, their old frenemy Meatball introduces the anthropomorphic ziti to honey, but the noodleheads understand it as “trouble.” Seeing an opportunity for mischief, Meatball then gives them a bag of “trouble.” The paper bag contains bees, but luckily, their mother intercepts it. By sheer coincidence, she has just built herself beehives, and what starts as a problem ends up being a boon. In Chapter 2, Meatball sells the brothers a watermelon that can hatch cats. Of course it doesn’t, but of course they end up with a kitten anyway thanks to the generosity of Farmer Spud. Chapter 3 shows them trying to think of a strong name for the kitten, starting out with Sky and Cloudy, then moving to sillier names such as Hippopotamus, Blippopotamus, and Nincompoop. (The cat’s expressions as they try these names out are hilarious.) When Mom says that the kitten is lucky to have the brothers as caregivers, they fasten on the right name and shout: “We got Lucky!” Arnold’s paneled cartoons extend the silliness. Fun-loving kids will laugh out loud as Mac and Mac make mistakes but end up OK. Adults will enjoy the excellent story source notes.
Children who appreciate being a little smarter than the characters they read about will relish it. (Graphic early reader. 6-8)Pub Date: Sept. 8, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-8234-4002-3
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Holiday House
Review Posted Online: July 13, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2020
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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