The Olympians (The First 6 Books)

By the Beard of Zeus!  George O'Connor's Olympians series is...amazing.

http://abcreads.blogspot.com/2013/07/george-oconnors-olympians.html

And the newest in the series:

I don't know why it took me so long to read these- no lie, they've been on my desk for almost 3 months.  I am FLOORED by how well-done this series is!

I was a Classical Studies minor, spent a summer in Greece when I was in high school, memorized Edith Hamilton's Mythology, and in my younger years wore out a Mickey Mouse mythology book.  The picture of Medusa with her snakey hair and dripping, body-less neck have stuck with me. I tried to find a picture to post here, but it seems it's been a long time defunct :-(  If anyone can help a girl out- it had a white cover, Mickey, Myths...(oh the irony of the librarian giving that description).

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Update: Oh my goodness, I found it! Thank goodness for eBay! Now to convince my husband our house needs more books...

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I won't go book-by-book, because I have a feeling it would be a lot of repetition of how much I love Olympians. So, I will do a general overview.

O'Connor uses beautiful language- his narrative reads like an epic poem, but is more approachable to younger (or reluctant) readers.  I would recommend starting with Zeus, but the books don't have to be read in order.  I just think Zeus and the whole creation story are a great kick-off (plus, there's an amazing illustration of the Titans that is haunting and powerful.)  

The bold colors and illustrations sweep you up, and before you know it, you're halfway (or all the way) through the book.  Actually, I had a stack of these in front of me at work for this review.  As I was reading one, one of our regular boys (a bit of a reluctant reader) came and sat across from me.  I told him he could look at them if he wanted.  He sat there for an hour, and read three of the books.  He said he loved the stories and the illustrations, and I was excited to tell him that there are more coming!

Each book focuses on an Olympian, but also on those involved with their stories.  For example, we learn about Hera, but also Heracles/Hercules.  We learn about Athena, but also Arachne and Medusa.  We learn about Poseidon, but also Odysseus and Minos.  

The books also include notes about the writing process, a glossary with translations, information on characters, discussion questions (like, "Zeus's dad tries to eat him.  Has your dad ever tried to eat you?")  As well as a bibliography and recommended reading for different age groups.

I especially enjoyed O'Connor's takes on certain situations, and even more enjoyed that he is trying to tell the women's stories, too.  "For when the men of ancient Greece wrote down their stories, they did not think to ask the women theirs." (Hera, p. 65)  This, of course, gives a deeper appreciation and understanding of the goddesses, and other female characters.  There are things I had overlooked or never thought of before, in my mythology reading/classes, and I love that this is a medium for a new take, a new perspective on such ancient stories.  Bravo, George.  Bravo.

Honestly, if the next six books are anything like the first- I will be getting the entire collection for my department, and for my home.  

I would recommend this series to all ages.  Anyone interested in mythology or folklore, Greek history/culture, superheroes (cuz really, these are the first superheroes), comic books...just...so much awesome!  Annnd...stay tuned for a special post in a couple of weeks!  In the meantime, you can follow the Blog Tour for Aphrodite here.

The Olympians series is published by :01 First Second. Copies provided by my awesome Public Library System/Consortium.  

I Am Pusheen The Cat

Oh my...what adorable cattishness is this!?!  (and this is coming from a non-cat lady Librarian)

Before reviewing this book, the one and only time I had seen Pusheen was this meme that Dramafever shared back in April (which is absolutely what I do when I watch K-dramas) and didn't know the cat had a name: 

Although, looking at the color differences now, is it a Pusheen friend?

I Am Pusheen the Cat by Claire Belton, is a cute, funny collection of kitty comics.

I really wasn't sure what to expect, but this had me snorting, snickering, and chortling.  There's a section on Pusheen's No-Shave November Styling Suggestions...I died.  I mean, there's one called the "butt-stache."  Apparently my 10-year old self came out while reading this, because there were tears.

There are 5 sections that allow you to get to know Pusheen, her friend/sibling Stormy, how to be a cat, etc.  There's a collection of kitty horror stories, as well as some baking instructions.  The book also includes handy tips on everything from uses for marshmallows to tech support.

The style kind of reminded me of the Scaredy Squirrel series, including his Guide to Christmas and Guide to Halloween.  However, I think Pusheen is MUCH cuter, and funnier.

Anyone who has, or has had (like yours truly), a cat will really appreciate the situations Pusheen gets in.  If you've read and enjoyed The Oatmeal's "My Dog, the Paradox", I think you'll like this.

Also, I really want this Ramyun-eating Pusheen T-shirt from HeyChickadee:

http://www.heychickadee.com/collections/pusheenthecat/products/pusheen-eating-ramen-t-shirt-womens

I Am Pusheen the Cat is published by Touchstone (an imprint of Simon & Schuster).  Digital ARC provided by NetGalley.
Release Date: 10.29.2013

Fairy Tale Comics

As has (I hope) become apparent- I love fairy tales.  And graphic novels.  Particularly :01 First Second's graphic novels (which currently make up about 90% of my graphic novel collection...cuz they're freakin' awesome).

I received a copy of Fairy Tale Comics (edited by Chris Duffy) awhile ago, and am psyched that I got the chance to review it!  I reviewed The Storyteller GN awhile back, and while this is similar...it's so. much. better.

Fairy Tale Comics is a collection of fairy tales, re-imagined (and re-imaged) by various cartoonists- Raina Telgemeier (Smile), Craig Thompson (Blankets), and Brett Helquist (A Series of Unfortunate Events) to name a few.

The tales span from Grimm's Fairy Tales to Russian and Japanese folktales to Bre'r Rabbit tales from the South.  The variety of illustrations is amazing, each with its own qualities.  Some are narrative, some are mainly dialogue, some are wordless. Speaking of dialogue, "Hansel & Gretel"- illustrated by Gilbert 'Beto' Hernandez- is hilarious...at least I thought it was.  It was...I don't quite know how to explain it.  The only way I can think of is, like, overdramatic overacting.  LOVED it!  Luke Pearson's "The Boy Who Drew Cats" also had me chuckling- in a more adorable "Bartleby the Scribner" kind of way.

I went in not knowing much about certain cartoonists.  When I got to "The Prince and the Tortoise" I thought "this is really similar to classic comics- like Prince Valiant or something."  Turns out Ramona Fradon illustrated Aquaman in Super Friends.  The same happened with the story "Sweet Porridge."  "Hmmm...this is kind of nostalgic cartooning...reminds me of Popeye."  Again, Bobby London illustrated the Popeye comic strip from the mid-80s to early 90s.  I'm actually both proud and ashamed of myself for placing (yet not placing) these cartoonists.  There's a great list of contributors in the back which is helpful for both recognizing artists, and noting future works of theirs to look into.

One of my favorites was Gigi D.G.'s interpretation of "Little Red Riding Hood."  The artwork was beautiful and adorable.  Like, in the event of future Little Sare-endipities...I'd love to do a nursery in this style.  There was also some girl power in this version, which I am always happy about!  I won't give the twist away, though!  The same with Raina Telgemeier's "Rapunzel" [cue Spice Girls!]

The range of stories, the range of artistic styles and talent, the range of humor...this has something for everyone.  If you love fairytales and folktales, bright colors, humor, and pure awesomeness- get this graphic novel.  I have a feeling this will become as treasured as my Complete Grimm's Fairy Tales (and has much better illustrations!)

Fairy Tale Comics is published by :01 First Second.  Review Copy graciously provided by the publisher.

Release Date: 09.24.2013

Star Wars: Jedi Academy

Star Wars: Jedi Academy was so fun!  I ran into a couple at ALA who had gotten a copy, and gotten it signed/illustrated by Jeffrey Brown.  They were so geeked out about meeting him, I HAD to look into it more.

Told from the perspective of artistic young Roan, we see the galactic universe through the eyes of a middle-school boy from Tatooine.  Roan wants to get into Pilot Academy, like his Dad and older brother Davin.  However, he is rejected.  Resigned to attending the local Agricultural School, he is surprised to get an acceptance letter from Master Yoda to...Jedi Academy!  Through entries in Roan's journal, and graphic panels, we see Padawan Roan hone his skills in light-sabering and using The Force (as well as dealing with bullies, his first crush, and trying to understand Master Yoda!)

I love how Brown used so many mediums to tell this story.  There are the journal entries, and the panels...but there are also bits from the student newspaper, Jedi Academy FAQs, yearbook-esque staff pictures, report cards, sign-up sheets...it's like a journal-scrapbook (instructions on how to make your own at the end!)  It was kind of like...Diary of a Wimpy Kid meets The Strange Case of Origami Yoda, but still its very own thing.

And it's funny!  There are so many little quips, and especially drawings that made me snicker.  There was something about algebra being used in real life (I hate math, so I liked that one).  And the light saber teacher is also the Home Ec teacher. There are lots of Ewoks...and pictures of Endor.  I have a bit of an Ewok obsession, so that made me happy.  And the Librarian is Librarian Lackbar (sadly, no "It's a TRAP!" exclamations, though).

I can already think of about 20 middle-grade boys I'll be recommending this to- as well as a few adults. Brown has two other graphic novels out, too, that I need to check out now: Darth Vader and Son, and Vader's Little Princess.

Also, I dare you to read it without getting this stuck in your head:

I'd recommend this to middle-grade (and younger...and up) guys, fans of Star Wars, and those who'd like to learn a bit about Star Wars' more obscure characters.





Star Wars: Jedi Academy is published by Scholastic.  Digital ARC provided by NetGalley.
Release Date: 08.27.13