Tag: animals

Posted in Animal Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Graphic Novels, Middle Grade, Teen, Tween Reads, Young Adult/New Adult

STOP THE PRESSES! NEW MOUSE GUARD INCOMING!

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Holy cow, was this a great announcement to read. Mouse Guard is an Eisner and Harvey Award-winning graphic novel and comic book series; it’s a fantasy setting similar to Brian Jacques’s Redwall books. The Mouse Guard was formed to protect mice against predators. It’s a great series; my son (now in his mid-20s) was a tremendous fan when he was a kid, which naturally got me reading it. We were both hooked!

Anyway, the great news from BOOM! Studios: in honor of Mouse Guard’s 20th anniversary, we are getting a NEW Mouse Guard adventure! Here’s the scoop from BOOM!:

LOS ANGELES, CA (December 19, 2024) – There are few series as lauded and beloved as David Petersen’s Eisner Award-winning and New York Times bestselling Mouse Guard. Now, in celebration of the 20th anniversaries of both Mouse Guard and BOOM! Studios, David Petersen, along with Eisner-nominated artist Gabriel Rodríguez (Locke & Key), bring a brand new chapter to life in this sprawling saga with MOUSE GUARD: DAWN OF THE BLACK AXE.

The origins of the legendary Black Axe are revealed in this prequel story set in the earliest point in the Mouse Guard history. Adventure with the ancient weapon’s first mouse wielder and champion, Bardrick, as he sets off on an epic quest of good versus evil!

“Getting to write this Mouse Guard lore of the forging of the Black Axe and it being handed to Bardrick (first of eleven wielders) while getting to do so with the brilliant Gabriel Rodríguez drawing Dawn of the Black Axe has been a thrill,” said Mouse Guard creator David Petersen. “He’s going above and beyond with his inked pages and storytelling while I’m just trying to keep up coloring them and still do them justice. Gabe was top of my list when we started pitching names for this spin off project, and I postponed it for a long time until his schedule opened up––I didn’t want to do this first one with anyone else.

“I’ll continue to work on the next volume in the main Mouse Guard series: The Weasel War of 1149, but I also hope this is first of many more Mouse Guard books like this one, where I get to explore the other past wielders of the Black Axe with exciting and extremely talented collaborators like Gabe.”

“I’ve been a fan of David Petersen’s work since the first time I saw a volume of his astonishing Mouse Guard books. We became friends as soon as we met,” said Eisner-nominated artist Gabriel Rodríguez. “Almost a decade ago we started daydreaming about working together on the story of the first wielder of the mythical Black Axe. That dream finally came true, and I’m humbled, grateful and excited to share it with the faithful legion of Mouse Guard readers.”

MOUSE GUARD: DAWN OF THE BLACK AXE #1 features main cover art by series artist Gabriel Rodríguez, and variant covers by Mouse Guard creator David Petersen, and celebrated artist Goñi Montes (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers).

MOUSE GUARD: DAWN OF THE BLACK AXE is the newest release from BOOM! Studios’ award-winning Archaia imprint, home to inspiring graphic novels such as Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut, Ryan North, and Albert Monteys; The Sacrifice of Darkness by Roxane Gay, Tracy Lynne-Oliver, and Rebecca Kirby; Big Black: Stand at Attica by Frank “Big Black” Smith, Jared Reinmuth, and Améziane; The Killer by Matz and Luc Jacamon; We Served the People by Emei Burell; New World by David Jesus Vignolli; Eighty Days by A.C. Esguerra; Better Angels: A Kate Warne Adventure by Jeff Jensen and George Schall; The Short While by Jeremy Sorese; About Betty’s Boob by Vero Cazot and Julie Rocheleau; Flavor Girls by Loïc Locatelli-Kournwsky; I’m Still Alive by Roberto Saviano and Asaf Hanuka; and licensed series including Sabaa Tahir’s An Ember in the Ashes; Lev Grossman’s The Magicians; and Jim Henson’s The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, The Storyteller, and Labyrinth.

MOUSE GUARD: DAWN OF THE BLACK AXE #1 will be available in comic shops March 19, 2025. It is available for pre-order at your local comic shop. Digital copies can be purchased from content providers, including Kindle, iBooks, and Google Play.

For continuing news on MOUSE GUARD: DAWN OF THE BLACK AXE and more from BOOM! Studios, stay tuned to www.boom-studios.com and follow @boomstudios on X.

About David Petersen:

David Petersen is the creator of the New York Times Bestselling and critically acclaimed Graphic Novel series Mouse Guard.  He was the 2007 Russ Manning Award recipient for Most Promising Newcomer and has since gone on to win three Eisner Awards and two Harvey’s for his continued work on the Mouse Guard series. David has done covers for Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, Jim Henson’s Storyteller, Star Wars, TMNT, and Usagi Yojimbo as well as recent work for Magic the Gathering: Bloomburrow.

David and his wife Julia live in Michigan.

About Gabriel Rodríguez:

Gabriel Rodríguez is a Chilean comic book artist and writer. He’s the author of Sword of Ages and co-creator Locke & Key, Onyx, and the Eisner Award-winning Little Nemo: Return to Slumberland at IDW. He’s also drawn titles such as Adventures of Superman for DC Comics, Locke & Key/Sandman: Heaven and Hell for IDW/DC, Le Gouffre Des Resurrections for Les Humanoïdes Associés, and illustrated for Marvel, BOOM! Studios, Skybound, Oni Press, Heroic Signatures and Clover Press. He has also contributed illustrations for novels by Stephen King and Joe Hill. He lives and works in Santiago, Chile. You can find Gabriel on Instagram at @gr_comics.

Posted in picture books, Preschool Reads

The art of friendship: An Adventure for Lia and Lion

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

An Adventure for Lia and Lion, by Al Rodin, (Oct. 2024, Knopf Books for Young Readers), $18.99, ISBN: 9780593903322

Ages 3-7

Lia is a little girl who wants a pet to go adventuring with. Lion is a lion who also wants a pet that he can lead on an adventure. The two meet and clash: they both want to be in charge! Through listening and talking, each learns what the other hopes to gain on their journey and slowly, the two learn that each one has something exciting to contribute. Maybe they can lead and follow at the same time. Mixed media illustrations feel dreamlike: Lion is yellow-orange with a fuzzy mane; Lia is a small girl with a red hat and a net. The size difference makes for an adorable partnership, set against large forestlike settings. Their disagreements are communicated through body language, as Lion twists his body away from Lia; she leans in aggressively. Lion’s tail thrashes; she stands her ground. When a storm threatens, the two stick closely together, sealing their friendship. A gentle, enjoyable story about the evolution of a friendship, the importance of listening to one another, and working together.

 

“A new friendship, tested and affirmed through adventure.” —Kirkus Reviews
 
AL RODIN is a writer and illustrator from London, England. He studied children’s book illustration at Cambridge School of Art and received the 2019 Sebastian Walker Prize. His paintings have been exhibited in galleries across Europe and Asia, and he was selected for the Illustrators Exhibition at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair in 2019. Learn more at alrodin.com and find him on Instagram at @alrodin.
Posted in Middle Grade, Non-fiction

Explore America’s Wildlife with Bailey and Jazynka

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Explore! America’s Wildlife, by Kitson Jazynka/Illustrated by Hannah Bailey, (May 2023, Kane Miller), $18.99, ISBN: 9781684644711

Ages 7-11

Armchair travel was never so much fun. Travel all over the States and discover the diversity of American wildlife, from Arctic wolves and snowshoe hares of the Alaskan Peninsula’s Katmai National Park to the bald eagles and great blue herons of the Western Maine mountains. Full-color illustrations and photos pair with informative text and fun facts; labeled drawings help readers identify flora and fauna in each region, and close-up areas of the U.S. map help place readers geographic areas of the U.S. Travelers and nature lovers will love the facts boxes that tell them what to find, hear, discover, and spot. Organized into five areas – The West and Alaska; The South; Midwest; Northeast, and Wild Animals in Your Backyard – Explore! provides an overview of the area and and illustrations on the region of the U.S. map. Fully indexed, this is an excellent companion to Explore! America’s National Parks (2011) and will be a welcome addition to natural resource collections.

Explore! America’s Wildlife has a starred review from School Library Journal.

Posted in picture books, Preschool Reads

Happy Book Birthday to The Three Little Guinea Pigs and the Andean Fox!

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

The Three Little Guinea Pigs and the Andean Fox, by Ana Velez, (Aug. 2024, Page Street Kids), $18.99, ISBN: 9781645678694

Ages 4-8

This spin on the classic tale is set in Andean South America, featuring 3 guinea pigs who have to rebuild after floods destroyed their homes. Like the classic, they each build their home from straw, sticks, and stone, and are suspicious when a fox shows up, exhorting them to come with him. They run from house to house as condors and bears wreak havoc on the sticks and straw, but is Fox really up to no good? The sweet story reaches a delightful conclusion that praises teamwork, friendship, and community. The rhyme scheme makes for a run readaloud, with sound effects in larger, bolder fonts to invite reader participation. Digital illustrations have cultural details, including the endpapers, which feature animals from the story woven into an Andean textile pattern. The story includes words in Spanish and Kichwa (also knows as Quechua), with a glossary in the back matter. Back matter also includes a note on animals of the Andes and a shaved ice recipe. The fox wears a woven scarf and the guines pigs sport hats and sweaters. A very cute addition to storytime collections, and psst… If you need a younger selection to feature and read for Civic Awareness Month, this would be a good choice!

There are some great Andean worksheets and activity sheets on TeachersPayTeachers. I really like this Andean fabric coloring sheet from Tierney Phillips.

Posted in Fiction, Fiction, Graphic Novels, Intermediate, Middle Grade

Tales from the TBR: The Adventures of Penguin & Panda

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

The Adventures of Penguin and Panda: Surprise!, by Brenda Maier/Illustrated by Fanni Mézes, (Apr. 2024, Marble Press), $9.99, ISBN: 9781958325056

Ages 6-10

Geared toward emerging readers, this sweet graphic novel is the first in a new series and perfect for readers who love Mo Willems’s Elephant and Piggie and Ben Clanton’s Narwhal and Jelly stories. Penguin and Panda are best friends who go on easygoing adventures. Surprise! contains four short stories, all with an emphasis on friendship and gentle humor: the two go on a picnic, play hide and seek, take an art class, and try to keep a surprise secret from the other. Penguin is little bit high-strung and Panda is imaginative and kind, always looking out for Penguin. The dialogue between the two characters is lively, funny, and kind. Illustrations are adorable, with Penguin sporting ponytails and a pink sweater, and Panda’s body language is open and expressive. Consider adding this to your intermediate graphic novel sections if you haven’t already. There are two Adventures of Penguin and Panda available now; a third will be on shelves in October. Visit Marble Press’s Resources page for free downloadable worksheets and activities.

Posted in Intermediate, Non-Fiction, picture books

When Beavers Flew: Geronimo!

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

When Beavers Flew: An Incredible Story of Rescue and Relocation, by Kristen Tracy/Illustrated by Luise Uribe, (July 2024, Random House Studio), $18.99, ISBN: 9780593647523

Ages 5-8

In 1948, the town of McCall, Idaho was growing and coming up against beavers. They were everywhere. Idaho Game Warden Elmo Heter came up with a plan to relocate the beavers to an area where they could develop a wetlands habitat unmolested. After multiple attempts to transport the animals via horse and mule, he landed on a solution: parachute-drop the beavers in boxes made to pop open when they hit the ground. Tracy’s narration is light, even playful; sensitive to animal lovers by concentrating on Heter’s desire to relocate the beavers to a place where they will flourish and the care he took to create boxes that would keep them safe. Digital illustrations are soft, with earthy colors and include sketches of Heter’s journal entries. Back matter includes an author’s note, sources for additional reading, and a photo of Heter. A positive story about a little-known moment in conservation and environmental history.

Posted in picture books, Preschool Reads

Scorch, Hedgehog of DOOM, is fierce (and cute)!

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Scorch: Hedgehog of Doom, by Cate Berry/Illustrated by Margherita Grasso, (July 2024, Page Street Kids), $18.99, ISBN: 9781645678670

Ages 4-7

An adorable class pet wants everyone to think she is ferocious, but Class 402 just thinks she’s so darn cute! No matter what she does: sink her fangs into a mango; wields an apple slice like a sword; or storm her little cliff to squeak at her observers, it doesn’t matter; everyone loves to coo at Scorch. When she accidentally finds herself in the snake tank next to hers, she’s got to rely on being both adorable and ferocious to earn everyone’s respect. Author Berry wrote Scorch’s story with the hope that readers will see themselves in her: a flexibility that allows for multiple aspects of a personality – and the self-awareness to embrace those aspects. Grasso’s digital illustrations show a spirited, tiny hedgehog with a determined expression: she clutches her fists; she sees herself consumed by flames of energy; she gnashes her little teeth, and still manages to be the cutest thing in the room. Endpapers depict classroom drawings of Scorch and her slithery neighbor. An all-around fun read that kids will enjoy for multiple readings.

Scorch: Hedgehog of Doom has a starred review from Publishers Weekly.

Posted in picture books, Preschool Reads

The Secret Elephant… based on a true story!

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

The Secret Elephant: Inspired by a True Story of Friendship, by Ellan Rankin, (Apr 2024, Random House Studio), $18.99, ISBN: 9780593703267

Ages 4-8

Inspired by the true story of Denise Weston Austin and Sheila the Elephant – a female zookeeper and her young charge, whom she kept safe during the bombing of Belfast in World War II – The Secret Elephant is a story that animal lovers of all ages will love. Told from Sheila’s point of view, we learn that Austin and Sheila were very close before the War, and that the young elephant was terrified and alone during the bombings, prompting Austin to stay with her and calm her. Weston had the idea to hide Denise at her own home after the Zoo closed for the day, allowing Sheila to live in her home, safe and comforted. When she was discovered, she had to go back to the Zoo, but Austin stayed with her, refusing to leave her friend alone. Rankin’s storytelling is warm, charming, and emotional; she uses brief sentences and evocative language to help readers empathize with the frightened elephant. Rankin’s brush illustrations provide texture and look like paintings with slight aging, letting readers feel the passage of time. Details include photos of Austin and Sheila in Sheila’s enclosure, and before-and-after moments show the chaos of living with a growing elephant: photos are askew, rugs bunched up. Rankin also shows the love between animal and person, as she shows Sheila playing with Austin’s yarn as she knits; Austin holding Sheila’s trunk as she leads her home; the hug between Sheila and Austin, reunited years down the line, both with “a few more wrinkles now”. An author’s note is smartly written as a series of newspaper articles, adding more texture to the story and engaging reader interest. Readers will love this story of light in a dark time of history.

Weston and Sheila’s story was made into a 2017 film, Zoo. You can find photos of Austin and Sheila at WartimeNI.

Posted in picture books, Preschool Reads

Tate’s Wild Rescue will melt your heart!

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Tate’s Wild Rescue, by Jenny Turnbull/Illustrated by Izzy Burton, (June 2024, Crown Books for Young Readers), $18.99, ISBN: 9780593569078

Ages 4-8

Tate is a young girl who loves animals, but she worries about the animals who live in the wild. Are they cold and lonely? She can help! She sends letters to several animals with offers of a warm bed, spa treatment, meals fit for a king, even a trampoline, but each animal politely declines her offer. They’re all happy where they are – or are they? There’s one potential best friend out there that Tate misses at first. Animal lovers all over will immediately relate to Tate and her desire to care for the lions, tigers, bears, and other wild animals in the world, only to realize that all she has to do is look a little bit closer to home. Fun animal facts pop up in each animal’s letter to Tate, and Burton’s colorful, cheery illustrations are a delight to see. Sharp-eyed readers will see Tate’s new friend appearing in each spread, and will likely be waiting on pins and needles for Tate to take notice. An appealing treatise on wild animals needing to stay wild while empowering kids to help make positive changes, Tate’s Wild Rescue is a great adoption story and a tale of finding home.

Posted in picture books, Preschool Reads, Toddler Reads

Duck Goes Meow is great storytime reading

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Duck Goes Meow, by Juliette MacIver/Illustrated by Carla Martell, (May 2024, Kane Miller), $12.99, ISBN: 9781684648962

Ages 3-6

Rhyming, onomatopoeia, and an adorable cast of animals make Duck Goes Meow a storytime essential. Cow leads a group of animals singing their animal sounds, and everyone is on track – Dog says “Woof!”, Cow says “Moo!”, Hen says “Cluck!” – until Duck chimes in with a confident “Meow.” The animals all pitch in to help Duck try again and again, to no avail; the reason is charming. A fun animal story that invites plenty of participation, Duck Goes Meow is an unexpected and sweet adoption story, too. Animal sounds are bold and contained in word bubbles, making it easy to cue younger readers to be part of the fun during a read-aloud. Colorful, bold illustrations make this an excellent choice for younger learners. Read this one with Jules Feiffer’s classic, Bark George, for an animal sounds storytime. Endpapers show duck tracks crossing paths with kitten tracks, giving readers a hint to the story. Originally published in New Zealand in 2023, Duck Goes Meow is inspired by the true story of a mother cat adopting a duckling; tell families for extra squeals of joy. Download free discussion questions at Kane Miller’s website, on the Duck Goes Meow book detail page.