The Dam Keeper

“The job of a dam keeper is to keep the darkness away.”

Reading this pair of graphic novels whose continuing story is haunting and complex but also wonderful and honest.  The art feels like it was executed thoughtfully and deliberately, layered and deeply nuanced but not heavy.  Yes, darkness is prevalent throughout the story but there’s also friendship, light, hope and a sense of purpose.  And some of the best rendering of light and mood we’ve ever seen.  

The Dam Keeper and The Dam Keeper: Word Without Darkness were created by Robert Kondo  and Dice Tsutsumi of animation studio Tonko House and published by First Second Books.  Click here to see a preview of the animated film version of The Dam Keeper and other Tonko House projects.

Science Comics: Dogs and Science Comics: Flying Machines

Science Comics: Dogs is an engaging combination of fiction and nonfiction, where readers get a detailed look at the origin of the dogs, how their species has changed over time and their inner workings.  Truly fascinating, and an innovative way for kids to consume more science and nonfiction in their reading diet.

Science Comics: Flying Machines takes readers on the Wright Brothers’ journey as they witness their seemingly crazy quest to build a flying machine, as retold by their younger sister Katharine.  Later when it came time to market their airplane, Katharine became their “public relations director” and incidentally was the only one of her five siblings to obtain a college degree.  It’s really well done and we’re impressed by how this graphic novel came together to present one of the most important inventions of all time in a creative mix of history and personal narrative.  An intriguing read.

Kudos to First Second for making science so accessible and enjoyable with this series.  The rest of the books in Science Comics cover the subjects of dinosaurs, volcanoes, coral reefs, bats, plagues  and publishing in March: robots and drones.

Science Comics: Dogs: From Predator to Protector was written and illustrated by Andy Hirsch.  Science Comics: Flying Machines: How the Wright Brothers Soared was written by Alison Wilgus and illustrated by Molly Brooks.  The Science Comics series is published by First Second.

Anne of Green Gables: A Graphic Novel and The Anne of Green Gables Cookbook

All the charm, delight and spirit of Anne in a modern format—a graphic novel.  This well-paced adaptation is a lovely way to introduce young readers to the beloved heroine we’ve known and loved since our own childhoods—with her foibles, stubbornness, penchant for unintended mischief and also her perseverance, zeal, creativity, ingenuity, limitless imagination, steadfast loyalty and her endless search to find beauty in the world—and how that impacted and inspired those around her.  It’s a perfect pairing with a cookbook of recipes based on famous and infamous (ahem, raspberry cordial) foods from the series including some recipes from the kitchen of author Lucy Maud Montgomery.  A plate of ruby tea biscuits, pot of hot tea and steady supply of Anne books sound like the makings of a cozy afternoon, no?

Anne of Green Gables: A Graphic Novel was adapted by Mariah Marsden, illustrated by Brenna Thummler and published by Amp! Comics for Kids (Andrews McMeel Publishing).

The Anne of Green Gables Cookbook: Charming Recipes From Anne and Her Friends in Avonlea was written by Kate Macdonald (L. M. Montgomery’s granddaughter) and published by Race Point Publishing.