Young Pool Savages; Clementine's Exploring Heroes; Yaga's Butterfly
Pool, by JiHeon Lee
A slight story, but lovely artwork in an unusual style. Captivating.
(262)
Savages, by K. J. Parker
The thing about K. J. Parker is that he can write about anything and I will enjoy reading it. Not just enjoy, but inhale his writing, dance through his writing, wallow in his writing. That said, I *care* more about some of his topics and characters than others and I didn't care as much about these ones. (This is a criticism that applies only within the set of K. J. Parker novels, as within the set of all the novels I read, this was still among the most interesting.)
(263, O54)
Young Sentinels and Small Town Heroes, by Marion Harmon
I like that Astra's picked up a teen team although I personally would rather have seen her leading the main team. The teen team makes for more teen-level drama, which is probably more interesting to the main demographic of Harmon's readers, but not so much so to me. (That's what I have YA novels for!) That said, though, I like most of the new characters. And the plots are just intricate enough for popcorn reading. So I'm still hooked on the series.
(264, 326)
Clementine's Letter, Clementine: Friend of the Week, Clementine and the Family Meeting, Clementine and the Spring Trip, and Completely Clementine by Sara Pennypacker, illustrated by Marla Frazee
The stories are fun and emotionally complex in the same way that Cleary's Ramona books are. And the illustrations are even better than the story. Can't wait till my younger niece gets the right age for these; I think she will LOVE them.
(265, 327, 331, 367, 434)
Exploring Calvin and Hobbes: An Exhibition Catalogue, by Bill Watterson et al
I wish this had had more of Watterson's commentary, but not having it just left more room for classic Calvin and Hobbes strips, and it would be silly to complain about that. Plus having ANY Watterson commentary was really cool.
(266)
Baba Yaga's Assistant, by Marika McCool
Just a bit scary, exciting, and well put together. If you like kids' comics, it's totally worth checking out.
(267, O55)
Butterfly Park, by Elly MacKay
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah. I don't even remember what this book was about because something about the art technique (a type of paper-cutouts) put all the human figures in this book well into uncanny valley territory for me and it creeped me the bleeping bleepity bleep bleep out. I vaguely remember thinking if it didn't do that, it would be pretty cool? And I liked some of the illustrations that didn't have people in them. It's not MEANT to be creepy, at all. But mostly: aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah. *shudders*
(268)
A slight story, but lovely artwork in an unusual style. Captivating.
(262)
Savages, by K. J. Parker
The thing about K. J. Parker is that he can write about anything and I will enjoy reading it. Not just enjoy, but inhale his writing, dance through his writing, wallow in his writing. That said, I *care* more about some of his topics and characters than others and I didn't care as much about these ones. (This is a criticism that applies only within the set of K. J. Parker novels, as within the set of all the novels I read, this was still among the most interesting.)
(263, O54)
Young Sentinels and Small Town Heroes, by Marion Harmon
I like that Astra's picked up a teen team although I personally would rather have seen her leading the main team. The teen team makes for more teen-level drama, which is probably more interesting to the main demographic of Harmon's readers, but not so much so to me. (That's what I have YA novels for!) That said, though, I like most of the new characters. And the plots are just intricate enough for popcorn reading. So I'm still hooked on the series.
(264, 326)
Clementine's Letter, Clementine: Friend of the Week, Clementine and the Family Meeting, Clementine and the Spring Trip, and Completely Clementine by Sara Pennypacker, illustrated by Marla Frazee
The stories are fun and emotionally complex in the same way that Cleary's Ramona books are. And the illustrations are even better than the story. Can't wait till my younger niece gets the right age for these; I think she will LOVE them.
(265, 327, 331, 367, 434)
Exploring Calvin and Hobbes: An Exhibition Catalogue, by Bill Watterson et al
I wish this had had more of Watterson's commentary, but not having it just left more room for classic Calvin and Hobbes strips, and it would be silly to complain about that. Plus having ANY Watterson commentary was really cool.
(266)
Baba Yaga's Assistant, by Marika McCool
Just a bit scary, exciting, and well put together. If you like kids' comics, it's totally worth checking out.
(267, O55)
Butterfly Park, by Elly MacKay
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah. I don't even remember what this book was about because something about the art technique (a type of paper-cutouts) put all the human figures in this book well into uncanny valley territory for me and it creeped me the bleeping bleepity bleep bleep out. I vaguely remember thinking if it didn't do that, it would be pretty cool? And I liked some of the illustrations that didn't have people in them. It's not MEANT to be creepy, at all. But mostly: aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah. *shudders*
(268)