By Chip Schrader
Staff Book Review
The Astonishing Secret of Awesome Man
This month’s first featured picture book comes from acclaimed novelist Michael Chabon’s freshmen foray into children’s picture books. “The Astonishing Secret of Awesome Man” is a comic book-themed story—not such a surprising venture, given Chabon’s Pulitzer Prize-winner, “The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Klay.” A novel drenched in the mythos of American comics.
The first person narration of “Awesome Man” is fun and goofy, different from Chabon’s earlier children’s work, a novel, “Summerland.” He introduces his villains—including a giant, flaming eyeball—but the story doesn’t move far beyond Awesome Man’s one-on-one interaction with Chabon’s villains. “Awesome Man” reads as a book meant to set up a series, and in this case it would function well as the introduction to a well-conceived superhero.
With that said, Chabon’s imagination has infinite powers. Coupled with illustrations that help tell the story, rather than just accompany it, Chabon could have a winning series for younger audiences. As for Jake Parker’s illustrations, they are vivid—with fine lines and edges, and they have a richness that rivals the best of comic book-illustrations. Chabon and Parker masterfully use the illustrations to depict conflict that Awesome Man could easily, but less satisfactorily, say. Best read aloud, audiences of all ages will get a serious case of the chuckles from Awesome Man’s freshmen debut.
Reading level: Ages 4 and up, Hardcover: 40 pages, Publisher: Balzer & Bray.
Otis and the Tornado
Bestselling writer and illustrator Loren Long follows up the successful Barack Obama-collaborative effort, “Of Thee I Sing,” with “Otis and the Tornado.” The captivating cover art alone makes it certain that this book will attract fans of “Thomas the Tank Engine,” and like stories. The cover depicts the titular Otis, a tractor with a worried look on his face, as he spots a tornado on the horizon.
Otis has many friends on the farm where he works, and he lives a generally happy life there. However, when Mother Nature gives the animals all a scare, Otis comes to the rescue while readers learn the values of heroism and friendship. Echoes of “Charlotte’s Web” and other classic children’s tales abound in Long’s recent effort.
Long’s writing has an excellent rhythm and his word choices touch upon an almost musical quality. The illustrations are a brilliant rendering of a mixture of imagery from “The Polar Express,” “Thomas the Tank Engine” and “The Wizard of Oz.” “Otis and The Tornado” is a story deserving of an out-loud reading, and the tone of the language is gentle enough for any bedtime story. Though it’s still early in the year, this charming story could be in the running for many awards.
Reading level: Ages 3 and up, Hardcover: 40 pages, Publisher: Philomel.
The Very Quiet Cricket
The latest book from beloved “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” author Eric Carle is, “The Very Quiet Cricket.” The illustration and writing style for his latest work will satisfy devout “Very Hungry Caterpillar” fans, and the story itself won’t disappoint new readers. Carle begins his book telling readers of the four thousand-plus species of crickets living both above and below ground.
Upon the birth of a little cricket in Carle’s story, a bigger cricket begins to rub his hind legs together to chirp; we learn that only male crickets can make this sound. As various insects pass by, they say hello to the little cricket, but every time, “The little cricket wanted to answer, he rubbed his wings together…but nothing happened. No sound.” This phrase carries throughout the book as the cricket tries to learn his language. Which remains the central theme of “Very Quiet Cricket.”
Upon finishing the book, readers are in for quite the surprise feature, as the book makes a sound at the turn of the last page. While the motif’s and style of this book are commonplace with Carle’s work, it is just this kind of work that has earned him his loyal readers. So while not a stark departure from earlier works, it is no less satisfying. The full-page illustrations and poetic tone makes “The Very Quiet Cricket” an excellent book for wide ranging audiences.
Reading level: Ages 2 and up, Hardcover: 32 pages, Publisher: Philomel.
Staff Book Review
The Astonishing Secret of Awesome Man
This month’s first featured picture book comes from acclaimed novelist Michael Chabon’s freshmen foray into children’s picture books. “The Astonishing Secret of Awesome Man” is a comic book-themed story—not such a surprising venture, given Chabon’s Pulitzer Prize-winner, “The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Klay.” A novel drenched in the mythos of American comics.
The first person narration of “Awesome Man” is fun and goofy, different from Chabon’s earlier children’s work, a novel, “Summerland.” He introduces his villains—including a giant, flaming eyeball—but the story doesn’t move far beyond Awesome Man’s one-on-one interaction with Chabon’s villains. “Awesome Man” reads as a book meant to set up a series, and in this case it would function well as the introduction to a well-conceived superhero.
With that said, Chabon’s imagination has infinite powers. Coupled with illustrations that help tell the story, rather than just accompany it, Chabon could have a winning series for younger audiences. As for Jake Parker’s illustrations, they are vivid—with fine lines and edges, and they have a richness that rivals the best of comic book-illustrations. Chabon and Parker masterfully use the illustrations to depict conflict that Awesome Man could easily, but less satisfactorily, say. Best read aloud, audiences of all ages will get a serious case of the chuckles from Awesome Man’s freshmen debut.
Reading level: Ages 4 and up, Hardcover: 40 pages, Publisher: Balzer & Bray.
Otis and the Tornado
Bestselling writer and illustrator Loren Long follows up the successful Barack Obama-collaborative effort, “Of Thee I Sing,” with “Otis and the Tornado.” The captivating cover art alone makes it certain that this book will attract fans of “Thomas the Tank Engine,” and like stories. The cover depicts the titular Otis, a tractor with a worried look on his face, as he spots a tornado on the horizon.
Otis has many friends on the farm where he works, and he lives a generally happy life there. However, when Mother Nature gives the animals all a scare, Otis comes to the rescue while readers learn the values of heroism and friendship. Echoes of “Charlotte’s Web” and other classic children’s tales abound in Long’s recent effort.
Long’s writing has an excellent rhythm and his word choices touch upon an almost musical quality. The illustrations are a brilliant rendering of a mixture of imagery from “The Polar Express,” “Thomas the Tank Engine” and “The Wizard of Oz.” “Otis and The Tornado” is a story deserving of an out-loud reading, and the tone of the language is gentle enough for any bedtime story. Though it’s still early in the year, this charming story could be in the running for many awards.
Reading level: Ages 3 and up, Hardcover: 40 pages, Publisher: Philomel.
The Very Quiet Cricket
The latest book from beloved “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” author Eric Carle is, “The Very Quiet Cricket.” The illustration and writing style for his latest work will satisfy devout “Very Hungry Caterpillar” fans, and the story itself won’t disappoint new readers. Carle begins his book telling readers of the four thousand-plus species of crickets living both above and below ground.
Upon the birth of a little cricket in Carle’s story, a bigger cricket begins to rub his hind legs together to chirp; we learn that only male crickets can make this sound. As various insects pass by, they say hello to the little cricket, but every time, “The little cricket wanted to answer, he rubbed his wings together…but nothing happened. No sound.” This phrase carries throughout the book as the cricket tries to learn his language. Which remains the central theme of “Very Quiet Cricket.”
Upon finishing the book, readers are in for quite the surprise feature, as the book makes a sound at the turn of the last page. While the motif’s and style of this book are commonplace with Carle’s work, it is just this kind of work that has earned him his loyal readers. So while not a stark departure from earlier works, it is no less satisfying. The full-page illustrations and poetic tone makes “The Very Quiet Cricket” an excellent book for wide ranging audiences.
Reading level: Ages 2 and up, Hardcover: 32 pages, Publisher: Philomel.
