One notable aspect that sets Issue #5 apart is its faster pacing, allowing the story to unfold briskly yet satisfyingly. The increased momentum propels the plot forward and keeps readers eagerly flipping through the pages. King's ability to balance plot development and action sequences is commendable, creating an immersive experience that holds the reader's attention from start to finish.

One aspect that truly captivated me was the emphasis on personal growth for the four main characters. 'S.P.I.R.I.T.' skillfully weaves their individual stories of maturation, genuinely exploring their struggles, triumphs, and self-discovery.

"Binky, the Space Cat" is a captivating graphic novel with a concise yet touching narrative. From the perspective of Binky, an endearing feline protagonist, we embark on a thrilling adventure to protect his beloved family from pesky alien invaders. Through Binky's determination and courage, young readers are introduced to themes of bravery, loyalty, and the power of imagination.

While I initially struggled with the character development of the other sloth characters, the overall storyline provided an entertaining experience. The narrative follows the lovable sloths on a quick-paced adventure as they search for a lost friend, repair boats, and stumble upon dragons in long-forgotten ruins. All of this is beautifully depicted with whimsical crayon-style art.

 What impressed me most about "Phoebe and her Unicorn" was its ability to address deeper themes while preserving childhood innocence. Friendship, self-discovery, and embracing uniqueness were subtly woven into the narrative, resonating with my daughters subconsciously. These gentle messages guide them as they navigate their journeys.

One of the highlights of 'Stagnant Waters' is the rich tapestry of alien species that Walton introduces. Each turn of the page reveals a new facet of this intricately crafted universe, where diverse extraterrestrial beings coexist and interact. Walton's attention to detail and the depth he brings to these alien civilizations is truly commendable, immersing readers in a vibrant world teeming with life.

I delighted in the theme of ‘do not grow up too fast’ and ‘be careful what you wish for.’  The final confrontation with the antagonist at the end felt rushed, but I loved some of the characters Mel meets along the way and the fantastical settings of some of the environments.

I enjoyed this story.  It was a personal exploration of a nine-year-old boy named Nathan finding a way to escape from the real-world issues of bullies and his older brother dying from cancer.

There is some significant symbolism, and the world is an allegory for how young minds deal with trauma and change.

I felt that James Proimos had a genuinely fun time writing up the stories, and this is proof that there takes a particular skill to write a children’s graphic novel that carries on its humor, skill, and style that keeps all ages engaged.

The dynamics between humans and fae races are exciting, and seeing how one of the main characters, Cinder, tries to navigate his place between both worlds is.  It is an excellent allegory to those who struggle to find their family and, in the end, gives the reader permission to recognize that our family is who loves us and allows us to grow.

I stumbled upon this one in the library's adult section, among the other graphic novels that touch on adult themes.

This one is about how recently separated conjoined twins can continue their lives separate from each other.

This was a fun and daring read with plenty of adult humor that parents can enjoy—mainly focusing on the amazon purchasing consumer culture prevalent in global north communities.

There is also a sense of tapping into the international espionage action reminiscent of James Bond and other campy spy movies.

I read the second Barb book, ‘Barb and the Ghost Blade’.  It continued to possess the same delightful storytelling magic of Dan and Jason.  They expertly weave in serious adventures with childlike humor.  Their style is reminiscent of the golden age of Nickelodeon cartoons with the class of a Disney film

This past week I read Ben Hatke’s ‘Mighty Jack and Zita the Spacegirl’ I first started reading Ben’s work with ‘Mighty Jack’ but never read any of his Zita stories.  I must say, as someone who only knew half of the characters in this book, Ben did a fantastic job not getting the reader lost in the story. 

It takes a specific storytelling skill to start a book halfway through a character’s developmental story arc and not make a first-time reader get lost, and Ben did a great job with that.

Over the last few weeks, I have introduced my 6-year-old and 8-year-old to the fun and exciting world of tabletop role-playing games.  Toon, by Steve Jackson Games, is a great in-between system for young kids who like games that involve interactive storytelling and those that want to get started in learning more complex rule systems.

It is an entertaining and heartwarming story with humor and great panel layouts that give the reader a sense of the cinematic.  Judd Winick wrote and illustrated the story, and I look forward to reading another installment.

This past week I finally got to read ‘Olaju: The Edge of Origins’ by one of our past guests, Peter Chizoba Daniel.  It is a gorgeous graphic novel that is inspired by Nigerian folklore.  This story is unique to most other comics I have read in the past, and I would categorize it mainly in the high fantasy genre, or it could be in a new category on its own of African High Fantasy.

This quick and powerful read follows a young girl who goes back to visit her mother’s hometown after a storm.  A great backstory is touched regarding her mother’s passing and the seemingly normalized magical creatures that live next to this seaside fishing village.

What I appreciated about this book, as I have daughters and work as a disability advocate in my day job is how Ben naturally includes into the story strong female characters and normalizes the inclusion of folks living with disabilities.

I really enjoyed the build-up of mysteries and the reveal of backstories while the reader learns more about Wyatt and Adeline.

The book has a pretty good pace and fits well within the teen superhero genre. It has heart and Eric did a great job showing the reader what a supportive and competitive sibling relationship looks like.