The Incredible Rockhead: Rock Paper Scissorlegz by Scott Nickel and C.S. Jennings

Chip Stone was having an ordinary day until a strange nurse injects him with a secret substance. Whenever he's in danger, his head turns into a giant rock. Before long he's warding off dangerous enemies like Dozer and Papercut and trying to figure out how to take down the evil General. It's a good thing that he has friends like his sidekick-slash-best friend Spencer along for backup!

This The Incredible Rockhead: Rock, Paper, Scissorlegz collection brings together four previously released Incredible Rockhead books into one massive mega-volume. I like the idea of having it as a collection, though, because it keeps the story flowing so that someone can sit down and read the whole adventure from beginning to end (I am an impatient reader, and I suspect that some young kids are, too), and at around 130-ish pages, the collected story isn't that long. I also liked the comic-book touches of advertisements for various products interspersed within the action. The art is colourful, the story is action-based, and the writing is funny. If you've ever dreamed of what Rock, Paper, Scissors would be like in a real-life supervillian-fuled version, this is definitely the book for you.


Find it at IndieBound.

I received a copy from NetGalley courtesy of Capstone Young Readers.

Read it with:
Teen Boat by Dave Roman and John Green
Zinc Alloy by Donald Lemke and Douglas Holgate
The Incredible Rockhead by Scott Nickel

Scott Pilgrilm Volume 1: Precious Little Life by Bryan Lee O'Malley

Scott Pilgrim's life is pretty uncomplicated. At 23 he lives in a tiny apartment with his gay roommate Wallace, he plays in a band called Sex Bob-omb, and he's dating a high school student (which sounds like it could be complicated, but since they've barely ever even hugged, it's a pretty laid-back relationship). Then he starts dreaming of a strange girl with roller-blades and awesome hair. Who is she? How did she end up in his head? When the girl - Ramona Flowers - materializes in his real life, he has to make sure he's not dreaming... then he has to find a way to make her want to spend time with her. He keeps hearing something about her evil exes, but that's can't be too bad, right? Right?

This is the first time that I've written about a book for a second time, but I think that a full-colour edition with extra behind-the-scenes content warrants talking about this book again. I originally picked up the Scott Pilgrim series because of the then-upcoming movie with Michael Cera; I've since seen the movie, so it's almost like I can never un-see it through that lens. But this re-read let me focus on the details: the way that the backgrounds really looked like Toronto areas, the casual awesomeness of Kim Pine, the easy blend of real life and video game fantasy. If you've never read the series, now is the time to pick it up and check it out in full-colour glory, and if you have read the series I guarantee you haven't seen it like this before.

Check out Scott Pilgrim online and Bryan Lee O'Malley's website.

I received a review copy from NetGalley courtesy of Oni Press.

Find it at IndieBound. 

Read it with:
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World by Bryan Lee O'Malley
Scott Pilgrim vs. the Infinite Sadness by Bryan Lee O'Malley
Scott Pilgrim Gets it Together by Bryan Lee O'Malley 

Cecil the Pet Glacier by Matthea Harvey and Giselle Potter

Ruby's life isn't exactly normal. Her mother is a tiara designer and her father spends all his time trimming topiary. She just wants to fit in...and she also wants a dog. But while on vacation (in Norway, of all places), something else finds Ruby: a glacier named Cecil. A pet glacier is the last thing that Ruby wants, but maybe it's just what Ruby needs.

I loved the gentle absurdity of a pet glacier; that's what originally drew me to this title. I also liked the cover's visual of Ruby with her three identical dolls (the Three Jennifers).  The book is extremely visually interesting (I'm just smitten with Giselle Potter's style), but it also has a great story with neat turns of phrase. It's an unusual spin on the 'child wants a pet' story, which is always a favourite for young kids, but even at its most absurd there is a firm layer of heart underneath. Definitely look to add this one to a library's picture book collection.

Check out Matthea Harvey's website and Giselle Potter's website.

I received a review copy from Edelweiss courtesy of Schwartz & Wade/Random House.

Find it at IndieBound. 

Read it with:
Ice by Arthur Geisert
Not Like I'm Jealous or Anything edited by Marissa Walsh
The Year I Didn't Go to School by Giselle Potter
The Boy Who Loved Water by Roni Schotter

Regretsy: Where DIY Meets WTF by April Winchell

Like most things I find on the Internet, I have no idea how I first found Regretsy. It was probably written up somewhere - a blog? Entertainment Weekly? - and I hopped over to check it out. I know that I was already familiar with Etsy and this new blog provided a window into the sort of thing that I had never seen. Photographs with random nudity, jewelry in the shape of penises and vaginas, things that say they're steampunk but they are so not steampunk... it seemed like there was no end to these incredible listings. Regretsy is also available in book form; classic items are accompanied by commentary by April Winchell.

I knew that I would love this book, but I was surprised by how much I loved it. It's more than just a collection of Regretsy's greatest hits and new entries. Each chapter has an essay that explores different aspects of the Etsy/Regretsy world. What kind of statements are vagina necklaces really making? How do you foster creativity? Does everything deserve an audience? At the end of the book there are listings of the sellers featured in the book, the bios of the sellers, and even a space for the sellers to comment on Regretsy, their inclusion, and criticism in general. These inclusions took the book from an extension of the website (which would have been enough to be a solid book) to something that explores art, commerce, creativity, and criticism, all through the lens of 21st century society. I highly recommend checking this book out.

Find it at IndieBound.

Read it with:
Cake Wrecks by Jen Yates
Read My Lips by Debby Herbenick and Vanessa Schick
That is Priceless by Steve Yelcher
Passive Aggressive Notes by Kerry Miller

Elefante by Vanita Oelschlager illustrated by Kristin Blackwood

Everyone knows that elephants never forget, right? Someone forgot to tell Elefante - he forgets everything! Sometimes that's a bad thing, like when he forgets to eat lunch (and gets hungry later) or forgets to clean up his toys (and his sister trips and falls down). But sometimes it's not so bad, like when he forgets that he's scared of scared of mouse (and makes a new friend) or forgets that he's shy (and gets to be the star of the show!). Knowing what to remember and what to forget is part of growing up, and Elefante is learning how fun life can be when you forget your fears and try new things.

I was drawn to this board book because of bright orange elephant on the front. It's certainly eye-catching, and I can see how kids would be drawn to it, too. The story almost seems like it's aimed at older kids (with the multiple ideas of forgetting), but even if they can't follow the subtleties of the story the illustrations will keep kids interested in the book. On the back cover there's a note that all of the artwork in the book was created out of recycled and repurposed material, including a bubble wrap, a sponge, and a band-aid. This had me immediately flipping over and reading through the book again. In addition to starting a conversation with kids about forgetting, it could easily also spark the creativity of artistic types who are eager to create pictures out of things you have around the house.

See more at  Vanita Oelschlager's website.

I received a review copy from NetGalley courtesy of VanitaBooks.

Find it at Amazon.

Read it with:
A Tale of Two Mommies by Vanita Oelschlager
Pomelo Begins to Grow by Ramona Badescu
The Thingamabob by Il Sung Na

Cake Wrecks: When Professional Cakes Go Hilariously Wrong by Jen Yates

If you're a fan of the Cake Wrecks blog, you know exactly what kind of wrecktacular stuff you're going to be finding in this book. Misspelled words, literal directions, icing that looks like poo, cupcake cakes, naked babies, random Darth Vaders... there's no end to what people will put on a cake. I like reading Cake Wrecks because there's that whole "Wait...what...no!...what?" aspect where I can't believe that this actually happens to people. Some of those baby shower cakes will haunt me in my dreams. Maybe I'm just blessed (cursed?) with a local supermarket bakery section who stay away from wrecks, but I've never seen anything remotely close to this in person. But I do believe that other people have, because here is the photographic evidence. The book doesn't have the depth of the blog - that's one area where hyperlinks have the advantage over paper - but it does organize the wrecks into sections and succeeds in really building up a "bam-bam-bam" pace of revealing the wrecks. The book also has a bit of "behind the scenes" information on what Jen Yates has learned since launching the blog, including why she now doesn't spend a lot of time writing on posts that are likely to be controversial. I definitely recommend checking out the blog, and if you find that it's your sense of humour, consider diving into the Cake Wrecks book.

Cake Wrecks is published by Andrews McMeel Publishing.

Find it at IndieBound. 

Read it with:
Wreck the Halls: Cake Wrecks Gets "Festive" by Jen Yates
That is Priceless by Steve Melcher
Awkward Family Photos by Mike Bender and Doug Chernack

Hamsters Holding Hands by Kass Reich

Hamsters can do many different things. They can play together and they can eat together. They can enjoy the sun and jump in the air.  Count from one to ten with these friendly hamsters and they will show you all the things that they love to do. Hamsters can do a lot of different things, but they have the most fun when they're together.

There's a lovely quiet charm about this board book. It outwardly looks very simple: a counting book from 1-10, featuring hamsters doing different activities. And yet, there's something in its design that transcends this description. The look of the book uses lots of oranges, yellows, and greens; it doesn't feel like your traditional picture book palatte. The back cover of the book promises hamsters that are cute and loveable, and I totally agree.  They're just so happy about everything that they're doing. The text rhymes between the numbers (the line for 1 rhymes with the line for 2), and it's set up so that the numbers themselves aren't rhyming with words (which is good because seven is always very tricky to rhyme). Definitely check this book out for young readers or kids practicing their numbers (and libraries should add it to their board book collections).

See more of Kass Reich's work at her website.

Find it at IndieBound. 

Read it with:
One Grey Mouse by Katherine Burton
Ones and Twos by Marthe Jocelyn
Canada 1-2-3 by Per-Henrik Gurth

My Every Single Thought: What I Think About Being Single by Corinne Mucha

What does it mean to be single? Is it enough to say that you're not in a relationship? What does it mean when you're in a relationship? How do you meet new people? How do you deal with not wanting to meet new people? These are some of the questions that flow through Corinne's brain. Single seems like it would be clear enough: one thing. Is that it? How can that be an adequate answer? If you've ever pondered a future alone with books and cats - and you don't even like cats - then you might have already had some of these thoughts. But I guarantee you haven't experienced them like this.

I first discovered this book while browsing on the Buy Olympia website. I was hungry for some zines and bought it along with one by Ed Choy Moorman...and then it sat on the arm of my couch for a long time. Why? I don't know. Maybe I wasn't in the right mood. Maybe I was waiting for the day where I would get up from my other couch (yes, I have two couches; yes, I spend a lot of time sitting) with purpose and grab it and not want to let it go. I didn't just read this; I devoured it. I laughed, I thought, I said "ouch" when things got too close. I loved the idea of a single Barbie. I love the exploration of words that rhyme with "single" and the interview with the single sock. I loved the ending. I loved all of it. If you are single, you need to read this. Period. I love the humour, I love the art, and I love Corinne Mucha's voice.  I can't wait to get my hands on more of her work. Could this have been the best $5 (American) I've ever spent? Quite possibly...yes.

See more of Corinne Mucha's work at her website Maidenhousefly.

Read it with:
Freshman: Tales of 9th Grade Obsessions, Revelations, and Other Nonsense by Corinne Mucha
Stitching Together by Ed Choy Moorman
My Alaskan Summer by Corinne Mucha

Poopy Claws by Gene Ambaum and Sophie Goldstein

One little boy loves his cat; his cat loves poop. Well, it's not so much that Stinky loves poop, he just doesn't always poop in the best places...or clean off all the poop. The boy's mother (a bit of a neat freak) isn't happy about the whole cat/poop situation, but it gets even worse when her finicky Auntie comes for dinner... and Auntie is on her way! This dinner is on a course for disaster!

This book is disgusting, and I mean that as a compliment, because I think that that's one of the things that the author and illustrator were going for.  I'm not at all the book's audience: I don't have a cat, I'm not really an animal person, and I don't overly like reading about poop. But I am a fan of Gene Ambaum (particularly his Unshelved comic) and while I don't know her work quite as well, I really, really like what I've seen of Sophie Goldstein's work. Those parts didn't disappoint at all. The story is sweet and funny and, well, disgusting; the art is colourful, energetic, detailed (I particularly lingered the montage of litter boxes) and, at times, disgusting. Seriously, I gagged while reading it. But I also think that in that perfect space where people who want to read about poop also want to read about a boy who loves his cat, this is just the book that they're looking for.

See more about the book (including a hilarious picture of someone reading it).

Check out Sophie Goldstein's other work, her Esty shop, and the online comic Darwin Carmichael is Going to Hell.

Find it at IndieBound.

Read it with:
Unshelved by Bill Barnes and Gene Ambaum
Mother Ship Blues by Sophie Goldstein
Everyone Poops by Taro Gomi

Alphabet Everywhere by Elliott Kaufman

The alphabet is fundamental to the English language. It's the basis of how we write words. Learning the alphabet is a big step for children; it brings them closer to being able to read and write. This book explores how letters are everywhere - not just in books or on signs but also in shapes, shadows, and nature.

The photography in this book is lovely. It captures the letters and frames them to show off their alphabetical qualities. Letters that sometimes get the short end in other alphabet books (like Q or X) here have just as much to share as other letters. Each letter gets one big photo and four small ones, showing off the many different ways that it appears in the world. This is a great book to get kids thinking about letters, particularly kids who are already familiar with the alphabet. The more abstract nature might not be the best way to introduce letters to them for the first time, but kids who know their ABCs can have a great time searching for them in their own "everywheres."


See more of Elliott Kaufman's work at his website.

I received a review copy from NetGalley courtesy of Abbeville Press.

Find it at IndieBound.

Read it with:
The Smiley Book of Colors by Ruth Kaiser
Ruby, Violet, Lime: Looking for Color by Jane Brocket
Building Stories by Isabel Hill
Urban Animals by Isabel Hill
Look Book by Tana Hoban

Baby's in Black by Arne Bellstorf

Long before they took the world by storm, The Beatles were a band working semi-anonymously in Germany. That's where a young woman named Astrid Kirchherr first saw them and fell in love: with their music, yes, but also with musician Stuart Sutcliffe. As the boys dealt with venue issues, legal troubles, and burgeoning fame, Astrid and Stuart became engaged and encouraged each other in their artistic fields. But a happily ever after was not to be, as Stuart died of a sudden brain haemorrhage in 1962.

Not being familiar with Arne Bellstorf's work, I was thinking that this book might be a little like reading about the 'baby Beatles.' While of course the Beatles do appear, it's not like that at all. They're easily recognizable and do have a young appearance, but not in a caricatured way. It's refreshing to see them as supporting players in the story; so often it's their story that's being told, but there are a number of other people who were there at the time that have different stories, perspectives, and lives. Astrid Kirchherr is a fascinating character that I only knew about in a very limited way. The subject matter, approach, and artistic style makes this a book worth checking out.

Here's a video of The Beatles performing "Baby's in Black" in Munich:


Take a look at Arne Bellstorf's website.


I read an advance review copy from NetGalley courtesy of MacMillan.

Find it at IndieBound.

Read it with:
Read the Beatles edited by June Skinner Sawyer
The Girl Who Became a Beatle by Greg Taylor
John by Cynthia Lennon

Teen Boat! by Dave Roman and John Green

 Life isn't easy when you're a Teen Boat! That's what TB (Teen Boat, of course) has discovered. He's busy trying to navigate life as a high school student, but the slightest amount of water can send him changing into a nautical device. Sometimes it's a drag, but sometimes it works out to his advantage...it's all part of being a Teen Boat!

I first heard about Teen Boat! during a School Library Journal webcast of upcoming titles. The minute I got to the subtitle ("The angst of being a teen, the thrill of being a boat!") I knew I had to get my hands on this book. I loved its easy humour and improbable action; the art style and writing work so well together. It's a smart, funny read for reluctant and eager readers alike.  With a book like Teen Boat! Dave Roman and John Green have gone right to the top of my "immediately check out anything they publish" list. Don't miss this book!




See more about Dave Roman and John Green at their websites.

Find it at IndieBound.

Read it with:
Astronaut Academy: Zero Gravity by Dave Roman
Nursery Rhyme Comics
Jax Epoch and the Quicken Forbidden by Dave Roman and John Green

Seriously, Just Go to Sleep by Adam Mansbach illustrated by Ricardo Cortés

In 2011, a picture book had the whole publishing world talking. It was a book about bedtime called Go the Fuck to Sleep.It was a book about children, but as the title made very clear, it was not a book for children. It sold an incredible amount of copies (and the audiobook version was read by Samuel L. Jackson) and now the book is back - in a slightly different way. Am I surprised to see a 'clean' version of the original Go the Fuck to Sleep? No. When a book does as well as that one did, there are definitely going to be follow-ups in some way. And to tell the truth, I'm kind of happy to see this because it means that children will be able to fully explore the book. I'm fine with having books that are for adults (even in picture book form, which is usually when people start to freak out about language and intent), but I think that children will really enjoy the 'naughty' aspect of kids who try to prolong their bedtime and will likely recognize things that they do themselves. The tone of the book is perfect for kids (and parents) who aren't really interested in cutesy-type books. I also think that parents were also probably reading the original to their kids (likely editing as they went along). The humour and the desperation from the original book is still here, and now it's accessible for a wider audience. I think that it's best to think of this book as a companion to the original, not necessarily a replacement. If you're looking for a new book to add some variety to your bedtime routine, take a look at this one.

I received a review copy from NetGalley courtesy of Akashic Books.

Find it at IndieBound.

Read it with:
Go the Fuck to Sleep by Adam Mansbach and Ricardo Cortés
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
It’s Time to Sleep, My Love by Nancy Tillman and Eric Metaxes
The End of the Jews by Adam Mansbach
It’s Just a Plant by Ricardo Cortés

Zero by Tom Leveen

Amanda doesn't like to be called Amanda. She'd rather be called Zero, an old nickname, because it's more appropriate. She's nothing, less than others, and pretty empty. Her life is sort of destroyed. She's not going to the art school of her dreams because they rejected her scholarship application due to her lack of technical ability. Her best friend situation is...complicated, to say the least. Her father drinks away his troubles and her mother just gets more closed off.What better time could there be to stop acting like herself? And she's going to start by talking to the really talented drummer with the amazing eyes...

(Spoiler warning, just in case)

Amanda (who also gets called Zero, Amy, and Z) is a character that I grew to have a really strong affection for. Her journey over the course of the novel as she grows and gains confidence and  her voice is a very strong story. I loved her relationship with Mike, the drummer that she awkwardly approaches after a gig. Their relationship has some very romantic parts but is also wonderfully down-to-earth. During the last few chapters, I slowed down my reading pace just because I wanted to drink in the words. Mike and Z's conversations near the end of the book are just stunningly awesome. Free of cliches, the conversations are real and at time sputtery and completely true to their characters. I think it's my favourite conversations in a teen novel since I Know It's Over.  I was originally happy that the story is told entirely from Zero's perspective, but when I finished the book I wished I knew more about the others - Mike but also Jenn and the guys in the band. But, at the same time, I don't want anything taken away from Zero's story. It's kind of a complicated relationship that I have with this book, but a really satisfying one. Definitely check it out.




Check out Tom Leveen's website for more information about him and his books.

Find it at IndieBound.

Read it with:
Party by Tom Leveen
I Know It's Over by C.K. Kelly Martin
Salvador Dali by Robert Descharnes

Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett illustrated by Jon Klassen

A little girl lives in a world where everything is black, white, or gray. The only colour in her life comes from her knitting. She starts by knitting herself a sweater, but then she has extra yarn. So she knits some stuff for other people...but she still has extra yarn. The yarn seems almost endless! But when a greedy man tries to take the yarn for himself, what will happen to all of the colour?

It's practically impossible to describe this book without using words like sweet and lovely, but it's also funny and visually interesting. I'm a huge fan of Jon Klassen's illustration style (I even have a poster version of The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: The Mysterious Howling hanging on my living room wall). There's a simplicity in his art that works so well with Mac Barnett's story. It has humourous touches but also lots of quiet space. The story brings together themes of creativity and generosity and weaves them together with a definite sense of magic. Don't be surprised if young readers want to pick up a pair of knitting needles after reading this book.

Check out the websites of Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen.

Find it at IndieBound. 

Read it with:
I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen
Chloe and the Lion by Mac Barnett
Wazzyjump by Michael Moniz
Annie Hoot and the Knitting Extravaganza by Holly Clifton-Brown
Cats' Night Out by Caroline Stutson

The Smiley Book of Colors by Ruth Kaiser

There are smiles everywhere. Not just on happy people, but on things like buildings, food, and clothing. Two eyes, a curve for a mouth, sometimes a nose and voila - an instant face. You might have to squint to see them, or maybe you see them easily (it probably depends on the person). I think I've confessed before on this blog that I'm someone who frequently sees 'faces' on houses (windows, doors, sometimes even a porch mustache), so this book was a natural fit for me. Built around examining colours, this book has the potential to be a bit scary for some kids (imagine faces everywhere - it's not too hard to get to imagining things coming to life), but with the right person it can jump-start their creativity and encourage them to think differently about the world around them.

This book came out of the Spontaneous Smiley Project, so if you're in the mood for some more smiles, head on over there and check them out.

I received a review copy from Edelweiss courtesy of Golden Books (Random House).

Find it at IndieBound.

Read it with:
Ruby, Violet, Lime: Looking for Color by Jane Brocket
Building Stories by Isabel Hill
Urban Animals by Isabel Hill
Look Book by Tana Hoban

I Dream of an Elephant by Ami Rubinger

Dreams can be wonderful things. You never know what you might dream about. For example, you might dream of an elephant that's blue, dancing and jumping the whole day through. Or you might dream of an elephant that's yellow (he's a popular fellow). There's no end to the marvelous things that you can dream! Visual cues and predictive text help kids to figure out the answers; this book practically screams out to be used in storytimes. I was reminded a touch of the elephant dream sequence/trip in Dumbo, with the elephants in such wild colours, but while that was known to scare young viewers, I think that this book will excite and delight them.

See more of Ami Rubinger's work at his website.

I received a review copy from NetGalley courtesy of Abbeville Press.

Find it at IndieBound.

Read it with:
Big Cat, Small Cat by Ami Rubinger
Dog Number 1, Dog Number 10 by Ami Rubinger
I Broke My Trunk by Mo Willems
Ten Nine Eight by Molly Bang

A Good and Useful Hurt by Aric Davis

Mike, still grieving and dealing with the death of his girlfriend, knows that he must confront her memory and move forward - but nothing is ever that simple. Three things happen at about the same time: Mike hires a new piercing artist at his tattoo shop, a customer requests that Mike design and ink a tattoo using the ashes of a customer's lost loved one, and an unknown serial killer decides who will be his next victim. These three events seem unrelated, but they place Mike on a path that will change the course of his life...and the lives of the people around him.

Before looking at what's on the inside, I want to talk for a moment about what's on the outside. This is quite a stunning book to see in person. The colours on the cover really stand out, and the detail work at the start of each chapter gives it a special look. And it has a good heft; it feels good in my hands, and that's one of those indescribable personal details that always puts me in a good mind for reading. In his profile at the back of the book, Aric Davis says that he likes weather that's cold enough to wear a sweatshirt (but not a coat) - I love that weather, too. And now to the content. I was nervous when I started reading because I know very little about the world of tattoos; I was afraid that my lack of knowledge would mean that I wouldn't understand the book. No tattoo knowledge is necessary, I am happy to say. I think that people who do know a bit more about this world would appreciate the details and observations, but the book is completely accessible even to people who have never thought about getting a tattoo or a piercing. The chapters are the perfect length and keep the story moving without feeling choppy. It was a hard book to put down; the changing points of view meant that I wanted to keep going and explore what was going to happen next. I would frequently think, "okay, I'm just going to read one more chapter" and that would lead to many, many more. The idea of tattoos that include personal remains was something that I feel like I'd heard about before in real life, but not something I've seen explored in a book. It set the tone  of the book with something slightly otherworldly yet completely grounded in the physical world.

I received a review copy courtesy of Little Bird Publicity.

Find it at IndieBound.

Learn more about Aric Davis at his website.

Read it with:
Nickel Plated by Aric Davis
From Ashes Rise by Aric Davis
Moody Food by Ray Robertson

Lou! #1: Secret Diary by Julien Neel

Secret diaries aren't rare in literature; everyone from Charlotte Bronte to Laura Palmer seems to have one. But Lou's secret diary is something different, because Lou herself is a little different. She lives in a messy apartment with her mom (she's never known her father) and has a big, terrible, wonderful, at times debilitating crush on a guy named Tristan. She's trying to set her mom up with the new guy who moved in across the hall while balancing school, friendship, fashion design and video games.

Lou is a spunky, spirited character who I found to be completely engaging. Her energy jumps right off of the page. One of my favourite pages was of Lou running home in the rain only to jump in the shower when she got home. There were no words, just movement. This is my first time reading about Lou; I had no idea of her popularity in France or that this book was a translation of a French work until after I'd started reading. It did take a little while to get used to the rhythm of the story; there was something about it that seemed unfamiliar to me. Maybe it is the difference between an English and a French approach to comics? I haven't read enough French comics (or enough translations) to say anything conclusive. It seemed like it took awhile to get used to the rhythm, but Lou! is only 48 pages long, and I had a feel for it by the end, so maybe it didn't take as long as I thought. The first book, Secret Diary, is being published at the same time as a second book, Summertime Blues, so keep an eye out for both titles.

Here's a cartoon version of Lou that introduces all of the main characters:



 Here's Julien Neel's blog (it's in French).

I received a review copy from NetGalley courtesy of Lerner Books (Graphic Universe).

Find it at IndieBound. 

Read it with:
Lou! #2: Summertime Blues by Julien Neel
Laser Ninja by Julien Neel
Owly: The Way Home and Bittersweet Summer by Andy Runton

Oddfellow's Orphanage by Emily Winfield Martin

Delia is a very quiet little girl; she never says anything and never talks to others. She's just moved into a very different place: Oddfellow's Orphanage. It's home to a unique group of students, teachers, and animals. Delia isn't sure how she's going to fit in with all of these people (and animals), but slowly she realizes that she's found a new kind of family who accept her just as she is.

Thinking about booktalking this book, it would almost be impossible not to sound like SNL's Stefon. This book has everything: an albino child with braids, a family of dancing bears, a well-dressed hedgehog who likes to eat, courses in cryptozoology, a boy with an onion for a head, bear-drawn carriages, a tattooed girl, Haircut Day (it's that day where twice a year the headmaster announces that everyone is going to get a haircut). There's whimsy and oddity and a sweetness. It also has a streak of sadness running though it (the children are orphans and have faced tragedy and loss), and this grounds the book from being too over-the-top and spinning off into a endless circle of cuteness. Information about the orphanage and its inhabitants is parceled out slowly over the course of the book, often coming between the chapters. The episodic nature of the story is great for readers who are still getting used to longer chapter books, and any fans of Martin's art will find lots to pore over. I'm excited to see more from this author and illustrator, so I hope she has another book coming out soon.

Find out more about Emily Winfield Martin at her website. She also has a shop that features art from and inspired by the book.

I received a review copy from NetGalley courtesy of Random House Children's Books.

Find it at IndieBound.

Read it with:
The Black Apple's Paper Doll Primer by Emily Winfield Martin
Wildwood by Colin Meloy
The Girl Who Circumvented Fairlyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente