The attack came with no warning and only his training prepared him for what he must do. Going against everything in him that screamed at him to defend the Queen, to protect her from the usurpers, Hatter Madigan did his duty and protected her daughter, Princess Alyss of Wonderland. But once the two of them had fled through the Pool of Tears, they were separated and Hatter must search through a strange and wondrous new land to find his lost liege.
Hatter M: the Looking Glass Wars, vol. 1 Written by Frank
I have mixed feelings about comics in the classroom. On the one hand, I think comics are a terrific tool for promoting literacy, as they engage the imagination, expand vocabulary, and show kids that reading can be fun. On the other hand, I don’t always find comics the best vehicle for teaching science or history, as authors seldom find that sweet spot between textbook clarity and superhero thrills. Jay Piscopo makes a game effort to find that middle ground in The Undersea Adventures of Capt’n Eli, borrowing plot lines and visual tropes from Aquaman, Jonny Quest, and 20,000 Leagues Under
I have to confess. I am not handy. I don’t enjoy building things or using tools. I have no desire to hang out in workshops or garages, smelling sawdust or organizing wrenches. The worst part of owning my own home is not having a landlord to call when something breaks. So imagine my surprise when I ended up reading Howtoons cover to cover, and finding I’d actually like to give some of the projects in the book a try.
Howtoons: The Possibilities are Endless
Authors: Saul Griffith, PhD, Nick Dragotta, Joost Bonsen
Illustrator: Nick Dragotta
Age Rating: 8-12
HarperCollins, $15.99
With Thanksgiving over, the Christmas season can officially begin. Not that it’s hit the comics list yet. It’s the end of the month, so titles are a little sparce, like that pumpkin you had for dessert. But there are still some good ones waiting, like the dog waiting under your chair for you to drop something. Bongo Comics has a new Simpson Winter Wingding to get you into the winter mood. There is also a new Mouse Guard: Winter 1152, and Viz with another Dragon Drive, for the animal loving readers out there.
He’s not a superhero. He doesn’t have a cape, but a multi-colored scarf that is twice as long (and twice as useful). He doesn’t have a utility belt or weapons, but carries a sonic screwdriver. He doesn’t have any superpowers, but he fights for freedom and justice. He is the Doctor, an alien with two hearts, a ship that’s bigger on the inside than the outside that travels through time and space, and has a strange affinity for the human race.
Doctor Who started on the BBC in the UK 45 years ago. It is a children’s sci-fi TV series with… Read More
At Publishers Weekly Comics Week, Kai-Ming Cha talks to Erik Ko of the manga publisher Udon and Janna Morishima of Diamond Kids about Udon’s new kids’ manga line. Udon has set up a special website for their children’s line, mangaforkids.com.
The anonymous blogger at lets fall asleep has put together a helpful list of comics for young women, with links to her own reviews and to review sites (including this one and my other site, MangaBlog) where the interested reader can find more.
Chynna Clugston discusses the revived Blue Monday and her other comics projects with Alex… Read More
I don’t like to read nonfiction. Short articles and essays are okay and even tolerable, but an entire nonfiction book? I’d be hard-pressed to finish one. Yet, that’s all changed recently, as I’ve discovered graphic nonfiction. I’m not talking about the less than stellar titles that are being shoved at the school market. I’m talking about quality titles where publishers, writers, and artists are putting their hearts and souls into the project. (To read more about this topic, check out the November issue of SLJ. They feature two excellent articles on graphic nonfiction.)
Christopher Butcher over at comics212.net has the scoop on a new graphic novel series called THE ELSEWHERE CHRONICLES debuting from Lerner Publishing this upcoming Spring. More details on the story and inside-page preview art can be found at www.elsewherechronicles.com.
This looks like some great stuff – finally, more fantasy aimed at a 9-12 age group with great clean artwork and fun character design. Two interesting things to note here: this is a real departure from the recent output of Lerner’s Graphic Universe imprint with clearly more emphasis as a trade graphic novel rather than a… Read More
The latest craze that’s sweeping Japan is Haruhi mania, and there seems to be no stopping it! Novels, comics, TV shows, and endless merchandising. Now, the fandom is making its way over to the U.S., with the release of the first manga volume a few weeks ago, and the much-anticipated novel coming out in a few short months. Want to know what the buzz is all about?
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya Volume 1
Author: Nagaru Tanigawa
Art: Gaku Tsugano
Price: US$10.99
Age Rating: 16+
Release Date: Out Now
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya Novel
Author: Nagaru Tanigawa
Art: Noizi Ito
Price: US$8.99 paperback, US$14.99 hardcover
Age… Read More
The latest craze that’s sweeping Japan is Haruhi mania, and there seems to be no stopping it! Novels, comics, TV shows, and endless merchandising. Now, the fandom is making its way over to the U.S., with the release of the first manga volume a few weeks ago, and the much-anticipated novel coming out in a few short months. Want to know what the buzz is all about?
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya Volume 1
Author: Nagaru Tanigawa
Art: Gaku Tsugano
Price: US$10.99
Age Rating: 16+
Release Date: Out Now
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya Novel
Author: Nagaru Tanigawa
Art: Noizi… Read More
A collaborative blog covering good comics for kids by Brigid Alverson, Robin Brenner, Katherine Dacey, Lori Henderson, Esther Keller, Scott Robins, Eva Volin, and Snow Wildsmith. Follow us on Twitter @GoodComics4Kids.
Hatter M: the Looking Glass Wars, vol. 1
Christopher Butcher over at 
