Netflix – Mom Read It

I am catching up on my emails, and just saw this press release from Chronicle Books, publisher of the Ivy + Bean chapter book series by Annie Barrows and Sophie Blackall. The duo are coming to Netflix on September 2nd as a series of feature films, all available to stream on the first day!

From Chronicle:

Starring Jane Lynch, Nia Vardalos, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, and newcomers Keslee Blalock and Madison Skye Validumas as Ivy and Bean, this announcement is made extra special because the release will span across three separate movies- all available to stream the same day.

The three movies, Ivy + Bean, Ivy + Bean: The Ghost That Had to Go, and Ivy + Bean: Doomed to Dance, bring to life the beloved series read by over 8 million readers. Taking material from six different books, readers will recognize familiar scenes from the series and be charmed by the adventuresome best-friend duo.

Watch trailers and see all the books on the Ivy + Bean website!

Hilda and the Stone Forest, by Luke Pearson, (Oct. 2016, Flying Eye Books), $19.95, ISBN: 9781909263741

Recommended for ages 6-12

The blue-haired adventure-seeker is back in her sixth installment! The time out, Hilda’s grounded, but that’s not stopping her. The only problem is that when she sets out for her latest adventure, her mom catches her and ends up along for the trip. Hilda and her mom are at each other while lost in Trolberg, the land of the trolls, and Hilda has to figure out how to get them both home safely – as a troll!

The Hilda series is such a good graphic novel series for all-ages readers. There’s fun, adventure, and a strong Scandinavian influence that draws readers right in, takes hold of their imaginations, and doesn’t let go. The cartoony art is fun and vibrant and Hilda’s sense of adventure is great. I love that Mom got into the act in this adventure, and I love that she and Hilda bicker through a good portion of this adventure, because it’s fun and yet it’s real. Yes, you’re in a land of trolls with your daughter, but she was grounded is disobeyed you, and now you’re both in this mess? I’d be giving my son grief all the way home.

I met Hilda when I found her first adventure on the shelves at the first library I worked at about two years ago. I need to catch up on more Hilda, though; she’s great fun, and I love introducing graphic novel fans to her adventures. Booktalk this with your other Hilda books, plus other great girl-power graphic novels like Zita the Spacegirl, Cleopatra in Space, and Phoebe and Her Unicorn. For tween readers , talk up the Zaria Fierce books, which also incorporate Scandinavian myths (trolls!) and stars another strong, smart heroine.

Have a look at some of the art from Hilda and the Stone Giants, courtesy of the Nobrow website.