I had a huge collection of Archie, Superman, and even Fantastic Four comics among many others. Somewhere along the way and over the years, graphic novels came into play.
I was under the impression that comic books and graphic novels were the same. I learned this week they really aren’t.
Even though I don’t have children, there are a number of young children in the family. Wanting to share my love of reading with them, I’ve decided to expand my reading preferences and check out books for youngsters.
This brings me to my current book review. “Disney Fairies Graphic Novel #1: Prilla’s Talent” by Stefan Pertrucha and is due to be released in April.
Papercutz has published a full-color graphic novel featuring Disney fairies. The first novel in the series is “Prilla’s Talent” highlighting Prilla, Beck, Tinker Bell, Rani, and Vidia. The stories take place in Pixie Hollow, the secret heart of Never Land.
The book contains four short stories. * “Prilla’s Talent” - Prilla, with the help of Tinker Bell, finds what her special fairy talent really is. * “Like the Wind” - Vidia, the fastest of all the fairies, is featured in this story. * “The Sound of Friendship” - Tinker Bell must repair a special bell in time for the annual Bluebell Festival. * “Best of Friends” - The friendship between Rani and Tinker Bell is tested.
The graphic novel is beautifully illustrated with bright, bold colors. The book’s 80 pages have a slick finish and a heavy paper cover.
Each story has a value meaning to them without being preachy. It’s a nice book to read to young children, older children will enjoy the drawings, and even older youngsters will enjoy reading the novel themselves. So the book can span a number of age groups. In addition, the book contains a preview of “Hansel and Gretel” from Classic Illustrated Deluxe #2 “Tales From the Brothers Grimm.”
Reading the book brought back memories of my old comic book collection and watching the “Wonderful World of Disney” on Sunday nights. “Prilla’s Talent” is a good read for youngsters, as well as the youngsters in all of us.
(I learned graphic novels are typically bound in longer and more durable formats than familiar comic magazines, using the same materials and methods as printed books, and are generally sold in bookstores and specialty comic book shops rather than at newsstands. They have also gained increasing acceptance as desirable materials for libraries.)
Prilla’s Talent * Papercutz * @2010 * ISBN: 978-1-59707-186-4 * Paperback * 80 pages
FTC Full Disclosure - This book was sent to me by AME (Author Marketing Experts) in hopes I would review it. However, receiving this complimentary copy did not influence my review.
Below you will find a sneak peak of “Prilla’s Talent.” Enjoy.
Prilla's Talent -
Now I have a new book giveaway and this one is completely different from any of the books I’ve featured here before. (I will get back to mysteries soon, I promise.)
Thanks to Anna and the folks at Hachette Book Group I have three copies of this book to giveaway. To enter, send me an e-mail with “Win Hotdog” in the subject line. Be sure to include your name and address in the body of the e-mail. The giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada and no post office boxes can be accepted. The deadline for the giveaway is April 5.
Here’s a brief blurb about the book:
I HAS A BWAIN!!1!
An you thawt we dint! Now Professor Happycat tells you what's in it and, from I HAS A HOTDOG.com and beyond, lets over 200 LOLdogs loose on the world, all barking the truth about kibble, toys, and bad kitties. This collection of favorites and never-before-seen photos will have you barking for more! For all you hoomins, a LOLdog is a kay-nine picture with a funny, misspelled caption.
A little background on the author: Professor Happycat is the illustrated cat featured on the popular I Can Has Cheezburger and I Has a Hot Dog websites. Ben Huh is the CEO of Pet Holdings, Inc, which owns and operates IHasAHotdog.com, ICanHasCheezburger.com, and other popular websites. Ben has been featured in the New York Times, TIME, the LA Times, and Wired magazine, among many publications in print and online.
Here’s an example of one of the photos in the book:
By the way, did you remember to re-set your clock? Remember the old saying, “Spring forward, Fall back.” Are you on time or an hour behind? Have a great Sunday.
Mason - Thank you for bringing up graphic novels! They are a very important way to draw young people into reading, and in my opinion, anything that gets young people reading is pretty much a good thing. Graphic novels can be exciting, too, with solid plots and interesting characteres.
ReplyDeleteHow fun is this-I remember reading TinTin and Rupert as a kid. Have you been affected by the storms?
ReplyDeleteThe doggie ones are almost as good as the cat ones.
ReplyDeleteAnd I read Scooby-Doo and Casper comics as a kid.
Graphic children's books can really help a reluctant reader become a happy reader. My son loves this style of book and I remember how happy he was when I got the very first one for him several years ago.
ReplyDeleteMargot, I agree the graphic novel is a great way to get young people involved in reading.
ReplyDeleteEsme, I had forgotten about Rupert. So far we haven't been affected by the storms, just some rain.
Diane, cats' expressions seem to be a little harder to understand. I think that's what makes them cuter. Casper is another comic I had forgotten.
Janel, the graphic novels are a helpful tool. Somehow though, the term graphic novel sounds harsh. Then again, maybe that's one thing that peaks the youths' attention. :)
Very interesting. When I hear the term "graphic novels," I think of illustrated books for teens that have been translated from Japanese. I would not have thought of Disney.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, I had a collection of Archi, Superman, Roy Rogers, Felix teh cat, and more ... it's pretty far away now ...
ReplyDeleteI LOVED the Archie comic books...thanks for the memories...
ReplyDeletekarenk
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)Com
I've been amazed at the graphic novels that I've seen out there--Moby Dick and Beowulf as well as graphic novel adaptations of James Patterson's books. They've come a long way!
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
Mystery Writing is Murder
I loved comics as a kid and what a great idea the preview is!
ReplyDeleteI've read some graphic ADULT novels recently that were really good--by adult and graphic, I don't mean porn, I just mean not for kids.
Graphic novels are great - good way to get youngsters interested in reading. I was a super-hero comic book NUT as a kid - Spiderman, Hulk, F Four, Daredevil, all the Marvel Comics. I couldn't WAIT for each month's issues to hit the stands!
ReplyDeleteMarvin D Wilson
Helen, I was surprised to learn that Disney was doing this. There are several more in this series.
ReplyDeleteLaura, reading comics does seem like a long time ago to me too.
Karen, Archie and the gang were fun to read and later watch on TV.
Elizabeth, I didn't realize there were graphic novels of James Patterson's books. Guess I shouldn't be surprised. :)
Mary, I thought the preview could say volumes more than I could trying to describe it. The colors are so vivid.
Marvin, I collected the Marvel Comics for years. I had boxes in closet that my mother would threaten to throw out but I knew she never would. She loved to read to.
The kids in my classroom love graphic novels and I have a few dozen in my classroom. Some of them are historical, some fantasy and some comedy. They're passed around all the time :)
ReplyDeleteJemi, I didn't realize graphic novels covered all those genres. Sounds like they do encourage the students to read, which is great.
ReplyDelete