Hello Kitty: Fashion Music Wonderland

I was late to the Hello Kitty party.  Like...just within the past year.  And while I own some HK apparel, it is all pajamas and workout gear so I don't feel quite so weird about being near-30 and sporting the awesomely cute little cartoon.  I also get to play it off a bit with my friend's daughters who LOVE that adorable feline.

That being said, I would totally go to the Hello Kitty cafe in Seoul.  I wouldn't even try to come up with an excuse.

Now, this summer at ALA Annual, I went to the Viz Media Book Buzz and was really impressed with what they are doing with their children's publishing.  One of the things is a new series of Hello Kitty: Here We Go graphic novels!  I got to meet Jacob Chabot, one of the illustrators, and Traci N. Todd (editor) and got an autographed poster...which is now hanging in my office.  I'm a children's librarian.  I can play that one off ;-)

Viz sent me a review copy of a Hello Kitty graphic novel (I don't think it's from the Here We Go series, though) and, as is expected, it's ridiculously cute.

Hello Kitty: Fashion Music Wonderland is created by Jacob Chabot, Victoria Maderna and Ian McGinty.  It's wordless and contains three short stories about, um, fashion...music...and Wonderland! The first story takes place at a fashion show, and explains how Hello Kitty gets her adorable pink-pigtailed wig.  The second is a story of HK's rise to fame- from karaoke to famous star, and her relationship with Dear Daniel.  The final is a HK take on Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.

Bright, cute, and uber-girly, Fashion Music Wonderland makes me want to get my hands on all forthcoming GNs in this series...and all things pink.  The stories are great for young ones, promoting kindness, helping, and friendship.  "Wonderland" has an especially friendly twist ending.

I liked how the pigtail wig gives Hello Kitty a Jem-like alter-ego.  This is particularly true in "High Note," the second story about music.  However, the wig also helps her in the other two stories.

The details throughout the book are great, but I especially liked a two-page spread in "Wonderland" where HK is helping Dear Daniel find some items.  It promotes interaction with the reader, and something new always catches your eye.

The book also includes paper doll cut-outs and love note templates.  I, of course, couldn't bring myself to cut them out (*cringe*)- but, maybe the reader could get two copies of the book? (I'm sure Viz would be okay with that).  

All in all, an adorable, wordless graphic novel.  I look forward to telling many little girls I know about it...and seeing Hello Kitty's other adventures in Hello Kitty: Here We Go!

Hello Kitty: Fashion Music Wonderland is published by Viz Media.  Review copy graciously provided by the publisher.
Release Date: 11.05.2013 (the day before my birthday!)

Uglydoll: Goin' Places

I remember the first time I saw an Uglydoll.  November of 2006; I had just flown into LAX, and my friend who picked me up took me to Chinatown to walk around.  One of the stores we went into had this, well, ugly doll.  Sadly, I can't remember which one it was- I think it was Little Ugly Big Toe.  Anyhoo, I wandered around the store clutching it and, remembering my scant budget, had to put it back before leaving.

Now!  Fast forward a few years, I'm at ALA 2013 in Chicago, and Viz Media is having a Book Buzz session on their Children's Publishing!  I geeked out a bit, because, of course, all the manga I read is through them!  One of the new products?  Uglydoll graphic novels!

The running theme for all the vignettes in the graphic novel is..."goin' places!"  Which would have worked so well for our "Have Book, Will Travel" summer reading theme!  Their adventures lead them to the sea, into space, back in time...and to a library!

The first thing you notice is the bright, fun colors.  And the kooky characters. They instantly draw you in!  There are many talented authors and illustrators- Sun-Min Kim & David Horvath, Travis Nichols, Phillip Jacobson, Ian McGinty, James Kochalka and Mike LM Kelly.  They provide so many little details and jokes throughout the stories that you may not catch the first time. 

The stories are great.  I was chuckling reading the whole GN...actually I think a few guffaws made it in there ("We're SO bats right now!" did me in...I ended up reading it out loud to my husband after).  Two of my favorites were "Get Lost" and "We're So Bats Right Now."  Babo was just adorable, trying not to lose his stuffed bear when he traveled, and Ice Bat & Ninja Batty Shogun were hilarious, honing their radar (oops, I mean sonar) skills. [sidenote: as I'm typing this there's a bat outside my window chittering EXTREMELY loud.]  Babo's postcards are super-cute, too.  

Annnnd...in trying to remember the first Uglydoll I saw, I went to the website.  Um...guys? I don't care if I'm almost 30, I would be stoked to get either of these:

http://www.uglydolls.com/p/ice-bat-hello-kitty

http://www.uglydolls.com/p/babo-bear

[the mugs are pretty cool, too!]

I'd recommend this to anyone who likes these dolls- young and old alike.  As I mentioned before, there are lots of jokes that will appeal to all ages.  The colors are fun, and the Uglydolls are adorable.  Definitely planning on getting this for the library.  It would also be good for those who enjoy humor and adventure.

Uglydoll: Goin' Places is published by Viz Media.  Review copy graciously provided by the publisher.

Released: 07.02.2013