resilience – Cannonball Read 17

The Picture Book Graphic Novel Read

Author vs. Illustrator by Bob Lentz and Donald Lemke

The Unlucky Kid by Bob Holt

Like Lava in My Veins by Derrick Barnes

May 2, 2024 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

There is a new genre, (or at least newish to me) that I call “Picture Book Graphic Novel.” I am sure there are others out there, but I have recently found three within a few weeks of each other. This means that the graphic novel panel format is done in the larger, traditional sized picture book and aimed at the picture book crowd, but can allow the older reader access as well. The first two were read via online reader’s copies and the last in […]

Socio-Emotional Skills FTW

Garrett Bear: Learning From Failure by K Tang

Ava's Triumph by Mary E Miller & Linda Woo

May 2, 2022 by NTE Leave a Comment

I’ve talked before about the kind of work picture books do – Kids learn everything from the alphabet to the existence of other galaxies from the books we read to them as young children. They’re essential tools for helping kids to have names for, & understanding of, everything inside & outside of their own experiences. But one of the greatest tasks reading with young children undertakes is helping them build their social & emotional vocabulary. We can use picture books to explain all of intangible […]

cbr12bingo – Gateway (plus two “bingos” and a Double Cannonball!)

Coyote Doggirl by Lisa Hanawalt

September 20, 2020 by andtheIToldYouSos 10 Comments

Are you familiar with Lisa Hanawalt? If not, how is that even possible? She is a brilliant cartoonist, show-runner, writer, illustrator, podcast host- the list goes on forever and ever. She designed the entire look of Bojack Horseman, has created comics for Lucky Peach (RIP) and Drawn and Quarterly, and is the creator and show-runner of Tuca and Bertie. You may not be entirely familiar with her work, but you must have seen her brightly colored and lovingly created plant and animal people at least in passing- she is everywhere! […]

“There are new monsters now”

Universal Harvester by John Darnielle

January 20, 2019 by andtheIToldYouSos Leave a Comment

This novel sneaks up on you. You’re lulled into comfort with descriptions of old video rental places, suburban living rooms, and the polite peace of the Midwest before being startled awake by sudden glances of violence and fear. These shocks originate from movies. Movies within movies. Were they intended for you to see? Why are they here? Who spliced an almost still image of heavy breathing and a woman with a bag over her head into She’s All That? Uncertainty creeps around every corner- breeding fear, […]

Zirza on A Gothic Classic for a ReasonIt's one of those wish-you-could-read-it-again-for-the-first-time books. I loved it.
Emmalita on “It came to something when you found yourself hoping that the footsteps you heard were ghosts.”I loved the ending! I don’t think it’s been out long enough to talk about why though.
Dixie on Track Her Down by Melinda LeighI am just starting Track Her Down and I have read them all in order till now and thought I...
Roland of Gilead on How can you give us the gift of a crazy character named Rando Thoughtful and then just as suddenly take that gift away? We need to talk, Uncle Stevie.I came across this randomly years after it was written because I was searching "Random Thoughtful. But I have the...
Emmalita on “Only you, Em, would refer to heartbreak as a distraction. I think I would have a more sympathetic response if I asked to marry a bookcase.”Oh my goodness, Gallifrey was beautiful. I’m sure her mittens were gloriously murdery.

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