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Archives:

Salt Water Taffy series

Author/Illustrator: Matthew Loux Publisher: Oni Press Grade levels: 2-3, 4-5, 6-8 Genre: Fantasy, Adventure Special Attractions: Child Lead Characters Synopsis: Eleven-year-old Jack Putnam and his eight-year-old brother Benny are being dragged against their will on a summer-long vacation with their family. And not to somewhere cool like Disney World, but to a little port town in Maine named Chowder Bay, far away from anyplace fun. But what promises to be a very bleak summer quickly becomes a series of exciting adventures filled with mysterious government agents, grizzled old fishermen, and giant lobsters. Chowder Bay is far from boring—it’s one of the most mysterious places […] Read More

Tippy and the Night Parade

Author/Illustrator: Lilli Carre Publisher: Toon Books Grade levels: PreK-K, K-1 Genre: Fantasy Special Attractions: Early Reader, Child Lead Characters Synopsis: When Tippy wakes up, there’s a peacock in her bedroom, a bird in her hair, and mice dancing on the headboard… Yet all Tippy remembers is falling asleep. In her first book for children, award-winning cartoonist Lilli Carré takes Tippy on an nocturnal adventure up a mountain, down a hole, and back home for endless bedtime enjoyment. (from publisher’s site) Kirkus review ICV2 review Publisher’s Weekly review Author’s site Publisher’s book page (includes lesson plan)

Hearts

Author/Illustrator: Thereza Rowe Publisher: Toon Books Grade levels: PreK-K, K-1 Genre: Fantasy Special Attractions: Early Reader, Anthropomorphic Characters Synopsis: When Penelope the Fox drops her heart into the sea, she’s swept off on a perilous journey dodging sharks and royal cat-guards, until a cartwheeling chicken leads her to the garden of lost things. Young readers will fall in love with Thereza Rowe’s bold and playful designs. And as they follow Penelope (and her heart!), they will learn what is truly precious. (from publisher’s site) School Library Journal review Kirkus review Diamond Bookshelf lesson plan Author’s site Publisher’s book page (includes lesson plan)

Secret of the Stone Frog

Author/Illustrator: David Nytra Publisher: Toon Books Grade levels: 2-3, 4-5 Genre: Fantasy Special Attractions: Child Lead Characters Synopsis: When Leah and Alan awaken in an enchanted forest, they have only each other and their wits to guide them. In a world full of pet bees and giant rabbits, they befriend foppish lions and stone frogs. Learning to overcome danger, they find their way home—and their independence. Newcomer David Nytra’s breathtaking pictures break the boundaries of imagination, sending the reader on a wild flight of fantasy that tells a moving and universal coming of age story. (from the publisher’s site) School Library Journal […] Read More

Amulet series

Author/illustrator: Kazu Kibuishi Publisher: Scholastic Grade levels: 2-3, 4-5, 6-8 Genre: Fantasy   Special Attractions: Anthropomorphic characters, Child lead characters, Female lead characters Synopsis: Amulet, Book 1: The Stonekeeper After the tragic death of their father, Emily and Navin move with their mother to the home of her deceased great-grandfather, but the strange house proves to be dangerous. Before long, a sinister creature lures the kids’ mom through a door in the basement. Em and Navin, desperate not to lose her, follow her into an underground world inhabited by demons, robots, and talking animals. Eventually, they enlist the help of a small […] Read More

Magic Trixie series

Magic Trixie Cover

Author/Illustrator: Jill Thompson Publisher: Harper Collins Grade levels: K-1, 2-3 Genre: Fantasy Special Attractions: Child Lead Characters, Social Issues Magic Trixie: Magic Trixie has a problem; everyone loves her baby sister, Abby Cadabra, and no one is paying attention to Magic Trixie! On top of that, she has to come up with a “wow” for show and tell day at Monstersorri School to impress her friends; Loupe Garou, the sassy werewolf girl; Stitch Patch, the sweet Frankenstein’s monster; and Nefi, the beautiful mummy girl. When Magic Trixie finds a way to fix both problems at once, she learns that sometimes […] Read More

The Fog Mound Series

Author: Susan Schade Illustrator: Jon Buller Publisher: Aladdin Grade levels: 4-5, 6-8 Genre: Fantasy, Adventure Special attractions: Hybrid, Anthropomorphic Characters The Fog Mound 1: Travels of Thelonius In ancient times human beings ruled the Earth — at least that’s what the old legends claim. But is it true? Thelonious Chipmunk is a Talker — an animal who has inherited the gift of language from his ancestors — and he, for one, believes in humans. Who else could have made the old paper postcard he treasures? Who else could have built the tall building shown on the postcard? His desire to know […] Read More

Explorer: the Mystery Boxes

Editor: Kazu Kabuishi Publisher: Scholastic Grade levels: 4–5, 6–8 Genre: Mystery, Fantasy Special attractions: Anthology, For adults too Seven clever stories answer one simple question: What’s in the box? Funny, fantastic, spooky, and suspenseful, each of these unique and beautifully illustrated short graphic works revolves around a central theme: a mysterious box and the marvels — or mayhem — inside. Artists include middle school favorites Kazu Kibuishi (Amulet) and Raina Telgemeier (Smile), as well as Dave Roman,  Jason Caffoe, Stuart Livingston, Johane Matte, Rad Sechrist (all contributors to the groundbreaking comics anthology series Flight), and up-and-coming artist Emily Carroll. (from publisher’s […] Read More

Owly Series

Author and Illustrator: Andy Runton Publisher: Top Shelf and Simon & Schuster Grade levels: Pre-K, K–1, 2–3, 4-5 Genre: Fantasy, Humor Special attractions: Wordless, Early Reader, Anthropomorphic Characters, For adults too Owly is a kind, yet lonely, little owl who’s always on the search for new friends and adventure. Relying on a mixture of symbols, icons, and expressions to tell his silent stories, Runton’s clean, animated, and heartwarming style makes it a perfect read for anyone who’s a fan of Jeff Smith’s Bone or Mike Kunkel’s Herobear and the Kid.  (from publisher’s website)   Books in the series: • Owly Vol. 1: The […] Read More