Fairy Tale Comics by Chris Duffy-OPTIONAL

Duffy, Chris, Fairy Tale Comics. Ill. By Various Artists. Pgs. 123. First Second Books, 2013. $19.99. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Content: Language: G, Mature Content: G, Violence: G

Retold in comic style are everyone’s favorite fairy tales. The illustrations are colorful and entertaining. The stories resemble and follow the stories everyone’s familiar with. Readers who like fairy tales, comics, and traditional tales will enjoy reading this book. EL, MS. OPTIONAL. Reviewer: Jessica M, Library Media Specialist, Olympus Jr. High.

Big Bad Wolf and Itsy Bitsy Spider by Dosh Archer - ESSENTIAL

Archer, Dosh. Big Bad Wolf and Itsy Bitsy Spider (Urgency Emergency series). Unpaged. 2013. Albert Whitman & Company. $12.99 each. Early Readers.

Doctor Glenda and Nurse Percy work at City Hospital. When the ambulance arrives, they must work together to help their patient, whoever it may be. In Big Bad Wolf, Nurse Percy is comforting a small crying girl wearing a red cape when the ambulance brings in a choking wolf. In Itsy Bitsy Spider, the ambulance brings in a spider on a rainy day, accompanied by Miss Muffet who found the spider in a puddle at the bottom of a waterspout and decided to help, even though she is deathly afraid of spiders.

Using characters that young readers will be familiar with in a hospital setting is both clever and witty. These are strong additions for any Early Readers collection.

EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL. Reviewer: PKFoster, K-5 teacher-librarian

Its Not about the Straw by Veronika Charles –ADVISABLE

Charles, Veronika Its Not about the Beanstalk 64 pgs. Tundra Books, 2012. $5.36.  Content: Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: G.

Three kids share banter and different versions of well known fables and fairy tales. In this book features Rumpelstiltskin stories from Germany, Scotland, and Japan.

This one was a particularly fascinating read as the concept of Rumpelstiltskin is portrayed in different cultures – he isn't always a man, and the name guessing component is the common thread. Student will have fun discussing this and other concepts from the reading. The inclusion of the three children telling the stories is critical to making this series fun.

Elementary –ADVISABLE Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.

Its Not about the Beanstalk by Veronika Charles –ADVISABLE

Charles, Veronika Its Not about the Beanstalk 64 pgs. Tundra Books, 2013. $5.36.  Content: Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: G.

Three kids share banter and different versions of well known fables and fairy tales. This book features Jack and the Beanstalk stories from Appalachia  Norway, and Scotland.

Geared towards students who are just moving past Early Readers. This series is an intriguing way to introduce the concept that similar tales have been told across cultures. This would make an easy read aloud lesson for teachers. Student would have a fun time discussing what exactly is the important part of the core story. Students who came across it on their own would find an interesting read as well.

Elementary –ADVISABLE Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.

Far, Far Away by Tom McNeal-OPTIONAL

McNeal, Tom, Far, Far Away. Random House, 2013. Pgs. 384. Mature Content: PG

Set in the small fictional town of Never Better. When he was 6, Jeremy Johnson Johnson’s mother ran off with another man after she had eater an enchanted Prince Cake from the local bakery. Since then, he has been able to sense ghosts, particularly a ghost named Jacob Grimm. With an absent mother and a reclusive, absent-minded father, Jacob becomes more like a father, protector and mentor to Jeremy. A job that wasn’t too difficult until Ginger Boultinghouse, the town’s adventuress, falls for Jeremy. Drawn to adventure, she pulls Jeremy out of his reclusive shell and into her escapades. Things in town, however, are not what they seem. Hazards lurk around every corner. Children are disappearing and the evil Finder of Occasions’ intentions are unknown and is hiding in the town’s shadows. Jacob feels the need to protect Jeremy more than ever. Will he succeed?

The story’s characters are unique and likable. The plot is slow at times and tends to drag, but has a suspenseful, gripping air to it that keeps the reader’s attention. Readers who like books with macabre plots, ghosts, twisted fairy tales, and suspense will enjoy reading this book. OPTIONAL. MS, HS. Reviewer: Kira M, Youth Services Librarian, WHI Public Library.

Frogged by Vivian VandeVelde - ESSENTIAL

VandeVelde, Vivian Frogged, 198 p. Harcourt, 2013.  $17.  Content: G.  

Princess Imogene, 12, was just trying to help the poor enchanted frog who said he was a cursed prince.  However, she instead finds herself the new bearer of the curse – yes, she’s a frog.  On one hand it gets her out of princess lessons.  On the other hand, it gets her frog-napped by a tiny band of travelling players, who are not in a hurry to listen to her royal tale and instead want to exploit her talking-frog abilities.  How in this world will she be able to escape and hop all the way back home before her birthday?  

Cute, cute, cute!  VandeVelde has created a wonderful new fairy tale twist that little girls will thoroughly enjoy!  

EL - ESSENTIAL.  Cindy, Library Teacher