"It's elementary my dear..."

When an event occurs with no initial logical explanation it can be considered a mystery.  Likewise any story in which this type of event drives the main plot is named a mystery.  As you read collecting the clues, it's like going on a scavenger hunt.  Following along with the characters is almost as exciting as being there with them.

Down through the history of mystery fiction there are classic and contemporary detective teams; Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, Frank and Joe Hardy (The Hardy Boys), Nancy Drew, Bess Marvin and George Fayne (Nancy Drew Mystery Stories) Emily Crane and James Lee (The Book Scavenger), Detective Rick Zengo and Detective Corey O'Malley (Platypus Police Squad), and Detective Wilcox and Captain Griswold (Wilcox and Griswold Mystery).  For younger readers a new duo hits the scene in their first puzzler.  The Missing Mola Lisa (Case #1 Q & Ray series) (Graphic Universe, a trademark of Lerner Publishing Group, Inc., August 1, 2017) presented by the collaborative wife and husband team of author Trisha Speed Shaskan and illustrator Stephen Shaskan.

Before the first of ten chapters begins we are introduced to an assortment of characters on a page titled

Who's Who.

Our terrific twosome, Quillan Lu Hedgeson aka Q and Ray Ratzberg followed by Mr. Shrew, media specialist, Ms. Boar, classroom teacher, Ms. Easel, art teacher, Jimmy, magic shop owner, The Great Don Realo, magician and Officer Rocco all play various and vital roles.  As readers will note Mr. Shew and the media center serve as the hub of the Super Sleuth happenings.

After an exchanged greeting between Mr. Shrew and Ray, we discover the new student from France is really Q attempting to fool Ray with a disguise.  It's her goal to become a master.  Ray wants to be a master of something else besides cheese-and-onion sandwiches.  Magic is his aim.

Their second grade classmates are going on a field trip today to see the famed Mola Lisa at the Elm Tree Art Museum but first the students are entertained by The Great Don Realo, a surprise visit by the magician.  In the afternoon as the children of Elm Tree Elementary stand before the Mola Lisa suddenly the lights go out, fire is sighted but before they can exit the lights are back on and the fire has disappeared.  The fire is not the only thing missing. The Mola Lisa is gone.

Sharp-eyed and on the job, Q and Ray quickly discover two clues.  Visits to three locations increase their knowledge of the culprit responsible for the crime but they lack real evidence.  Like the great detectives before them, they reexamine all the gathered clues, leading them to the truth. Q and Ray, masters of magic and disguise, deliver the final surprise.


Nearly the entire narrative is told through conversations between the characters.  Trisha Speed Shaskan weaves interesting facts about magic into the story which careful readers will eventually see are key to locating information about the theft.  She also cleverly uses Q's passion for disguise as part of the plot details.

The dialogue between the characters will be easily understood by the intended audience.  When Q and Ray are trying to solve the case, it's as if we are joining in the chat.  Humor appears when you least expect it.

Class:  ABCs!
Raise your paws!

Here is another passage during lunch between Ray and Q.

How about a magic trick?
Sure!
Look at the quarter.
It's been in my family for years.
We've passed it from one rat to the next.
Ha! It's gone!

Don't worry.  I won't let history
slip through my paws.  It's
right here! Or---right ear!
Aces! How did
you do that?


When you first look at the front of the book case, it's hard not to think of Saturday morning cartoons.  The characters are cute and comical at the same time.  Illustrator Stephen Shaskan has tied all the elements in the image together to look like a display at a gallery.  And he includes a huge clue or is it a red herring?  To the left, on the back, is text relative to the title you might find on a jacket flap.  The opening and closing endpapers are a crisp, pristine white.  A design technique similar to the case is used for the title page with text and images like pictures hanging on a wall.

In this graphic novel the panels are varied in size with the frames having rounded corners.  Smaller panels are placed within larger panels.  Sometimes we will be given a different perspective to draw our focus to a specific point as when Ray is doing his magic trick. Stephen's signature geometric rays radiant from his characters in some of the scenes.

The placement of the speech balloons will assist early readers.  For emphasis and dramatic effect text is enlarged, made bold and placed in jagged speech balloons.  Readers can easily discern the elevated volume of the speaker's voice.  I think readers with any art knowledge will find the depiction of The Scream, Girl with a Pearl Earring and the Mola Lisa hilarious.  A nod is given to two specific artists in the clothing worn by Ms. Easel.

One of my favorite of many illustrations is when Q and Ray are talking over a twist in the case.  They are standing facing each other.  Q is wearing a yellow jacket and skirt with purple accessories and shoes.  Ray is wearing another combination of his usual checked shirt (light blue and white) with red pants and shoes with light blue socks.  Their expressions are animated, endearing and funny.

During an impromptu and very short questions and answer on social media several nights ago, Trisha had this to say about this first title in the proposed series.

Like our picture book Punk Skunks, Stephen and I created Q & Ray together from its conception.  While brainstorming which type of story we wanted to create, we decided on a mystery for a few reasons.  For years, I taught mystery-writing classes to elementary students; it was my most popular class.  From teaching it, I always wanted to write a mystery.  Like the students, Stephen and I loved mysteries as kids.  At first, Q & Ray was a chapter book, but two things happened.  One: Stephen and I read tons of graphic novels for kids to prep for a class we taught kids on the subject.  In the meantime, I worked as a literacy coach with elementary school students.  Some of the emerging readers wanted to read the Babymouse and Lunch Lady graphic novel series, but they didn't have the reading skills to read them, yet.  I though the format could provide a readable text, but also visual cues for young readers.  Stephen and I chose the names Q & Ray as a riff on Q & A, questions and answers, which are the basis of mysteries.  While writing the story, I drew upon my love of Sherlock Holmes.  While illustrating the story, Stephen drew upon his love of the aesthetics of Harvey Comics (Little Dot, Richie rich, Casper the Friendly Ghost),---for the use of thick black lines and flat colors.  Together, Stephen and I drew upon the power of friendship; how a team versus an individual can be best suited to tackle the odds of solving mysteries---and of course, creating books!


For readers eager to read graphic novels and solve mysteries while enjoying the companionship of two likeable characters hand them The Missing Mola Lisa (Case #1 Q & Ray series) written by Trisha Speed Shaskan with illustrations by Stephen Shaskan.  I think it might be fun to act out some of the chapters or scenes from the chapters like a reader's theater.  I know there will be a copy of this on my personal bookshelves and ready to hand out at Halloween.  You will want one on your professional shelves too.  On the final page under Fun Facts readers can learn about Leonardo da Vinci upon which Leonardo da Squity is based in this book.

To learn more about Trisha Speed Shaskan and Stephen Shaskan and their other work please visit their respective websites by following the links attached to their names.  To view interior portions of this title please stop by the publisher's website.  Both Trisha and Stephen wrote posts for Picture Book Month.  Trisha was featured at KidLit 411.

Outside, Inside, Upside And Downside

As soon as you leave the sanctuary of your home as a child (as an adult), you learn to make connections with other people.  Seeking those who enjoy the same activities, cherish the same values, and help you to be your best self but love you for exactly who you are, they are a rarity.  When you and another share a bond of mutual affection based upon unbreakable trust you are the best of friends.

As you grow up from a young age to adulthood, you begin to realize best friends may come and go, making for painful experiences.  Real Friends (First Second, an imprint of Roaring Brook Press, May 2, 2017) written by Shannon Hale with artwork by LeUyen Pham and color by Jane Poole is a true recollection of finding positive people with whom to share your days.  It's full, like life, with heartbreak, healing and hope.

When I was little I didn't worry about friends.  

As Shannon navigates from kindergarten through fifth grade we are given windows into her school and home worlds.  Five sections labeled with names, Adrienne, Jen, Jenny, Zara and Veronica and Wendy, allow us to understand how these girls shaped her definition of friendship.  Some weaken the very nature of the meaning, others strengthen it.  Some are learning the importance of real friends.

As the middle child of five Shannon already feels a little left out at home.  Meeting Adrienne in kindergarten is a dream comes true for her.  They are inseparable until second grade, enjoying games of make-believe.  Then Adrienne moves.  All Shannon wishes for is the return of her best friend.  Wishes sometimes come true.

By third grade another student is rising in the popularity game, Jen.  All the girls want to be in The Group with Jen as leader.  Adrienne already knows Jen so she is automatically invited to be a member.  It is not so easy for Shannon.  From one minute to the next she never knows if she is in or out of the group.  A high point of the summer before fourth grade is spending time with Jen at her cabin.

Fourth grade brings more changes for Shannon...glasses.  One member of the group, Jenny, increases her bullying of Shannon.  She is so desperate to have Jen all to herself; she begins to spread lies about her.  Her cruelty heightens Shannon's anxiety; there are more stomach aches and counting.  At home the abuse from her older sister is worse.  Often Shannon hides in the bushes at school and at home to avoid the wrath of Jenny or her sister Wendy.

Only two of the group, Amy and Nicole, are in Shannon's class in fifth grade; a blend of fifth and sixth grade students.  In a moment of bravery after a particularly horrible moment with Jenny in The Group, Shannon leaves them for good.  Freedom does have costs but it opens new doors.  The generous spirit of two sixth grade students who admire the creativity and sense of humor exhibited by Shannon changes many things for her.  A shift at home broadens the hope now surging in her heart.


After repeated readings of nearly the entire book it's abundantly clear Shannon Hale is a writer of great courage and integrity.  Some of the scenes are painfully true but she tells this story in exquisite detail to let her readers know they are not alone with their experiences.  The line connecting us to friends is a fine line; easy to snap unless it's stood the test of time.  Nothing can break the line between real friends.

The dialogue is true-to-life to the point you feel as though you are watching a film.  The strength Shannon finds in her religion is noteworthy.  She shares her prayers.  In one particular moving scene, a low point for Shannon, in a day dream she feels as though no one would ever miss her if she vanished.  Jesus says He likes her.  Another important aspect is Shannon's imagination; her ability to fashion games and stories.  Pages are devoted to her tales of daring and heroes.  Here is a sample of dialogue.

Who was that?
The Group.
They were your friends?
Yeah...
But now they're not.
Nope.
Well.
They're a bunch of turdmongers, aren't they?
Yeah...clearly a bunch of turdmongers, all of them.
You know, I never realized before, but they are kinda turdmongery.
Do you want to hang out with us today?
On the outside, I was like...
Yeah.
Okay.
But on the inside
(blasting rainbows, stars and hearts)


When you first look at the front of the book case there is something about the look in young Shannon Hale's eyes and in her body stance, they let you know she is the kind of person you want to have as a friend.  Throughout the entire book the portrayal of Shannon, her family and all the students in her school years "click" in a universal manner with readers.  We can see ourselves and others, regardless of our current age, in these people.

All the people in each of the scenes are fully animated.  The panels alternate in size to supply pacing in keeping with the text.  When Shannon is creating a game or a story the panels vanish to expand our view along with her perspective.  We become emotionally linked as events unfold.

LeUyen Pham has done marvelous work in depicting the years between 1979 and 1984 with authentic clothing, hair styles, exterior and interior designs in architecture.   There are wall phones with cords attached to the hand sets.  The plaid fabric on the living sofa and its color are a flashback to that era.

One of my many favorite illustrations is during the summer before fourth grade.  With their backs to us Shannon and Jen are running through the woods from the lake shore at Jen's family cottage.  They are deep into a game as high school private detectives following clues to a kidnapped girl.  There is pure bliss in their moving arms and legs.  It's one of those moments as a child you never forget.


In this collaboration Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham have brought to readers a wonderfully, realistic depiction.  Real Friends will be read over and over and over.  Copies will have the well-loved look in short order.  I can imagine real friends reading portions out loud to each other.  Perhaps they will act out scenes.  Professional collections must have multiple copies.  I extend my deepest appreciation to Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham for this title.

To learn more about Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham and their other work please follow the links attached to their names to access their websites.  At the publisher's website you can view interior pages.  There is a website dedicated to this title.  Shannon Hale is a guest at BookRiot talking about this title.  Shannon Hale is in a video interview with Rocco Staino for KidLit TV.  In The Book Report by Jarrett J. Krosocska he talks about this title and its importance.  Enjoy the book trailer.

Splendid Scenarios Under The Sea

When precious personalities from books make a return appearance readers rejoice.  When you find yourself smiling just from looking at the book case, without reading a single word, you know laughter is sure to follow.  The cheerful nature of the characters is contagious.   This is something you are more than willing to spread.

Last autumn we meet two very likable sea creatures who also happen to be best friends in Narwhal: Unicorn Of The Sea (A Narwhal And Jelly Book) (Tundra Books, a division of Random House of Canada Limited, a Penguin Random House Company, October 4, 2016).  The second book in the series Super Narwhal And Jelly Jolt (A Narwhal And Jelly Book) (Tundra Books, a division of Random House of Canada Limited, a Penguin Random House Company, May 2, 2017) written and illustrated by Ben Clanton adds three more marvelous chapters in the adventures of one unique narwhal and jellyfish.  Prepare to be entertained.  Prepare to have your heart swell with love for these two remarkable pals.

Ahoy, Jelly!
Hey, Narwhal!  What's up?
I was just about to go for a swim.  After that I'll have something for lunch, probably a waffle, and then...

Narwhal announces with great exuberance his intentions to become a superhero.  When Jelly points out the obvious fact you can't become a superhero instantly, Narwhal asks exactly what is needed.  During the course of their conversation the idea of super outfits, a superhero name, a secret identity, the necessity of a sidekick, and a superpower clearly demonstrate the truth of Jelly's statement.  Of course, Narwhal, with his usual super positive outlook on everything is not discouraged.  He lives for looking on the bright side.

One evening when out for a swim, Narwhal comes upon Star (a starfish) resting on a rock.  Star would much rather be shining in the night sky.  Ever helpful, Narwhal suggests several possibilities for Star's wish to come true, even attempting some of them.  It's the final effort which will give readers a hint of Narwhal's true power.

In the third episode Narwhal is moving through the sea wearing his secret identity when he discovers Jelly is feeling rather sad.  In perfect form Narwhal transforms into Super Narwhal using his awe-inspiring nature to work wonders on Jelly.  Before long readers and Jelly will be laughing.  The lively twosome lead by Super Narwhal continues to alter their entire briny blue realm.

Super-fied!


As soon as you start reading the dialogue penned by Ben Clanton you feel your spirits start to soar.  The exchanges between Narwhal and his sea friends, especially Jelly, are lively and positive.  Narwhal is always looking for solutions within each situation.  The humor comes in the answers and questions by Jelly and in the word play.

Through the contrast in the personalities of the characters readers are given the opportunity to place themselves in similar situations and ask themselves how they would respond.  Are they more like Narwhal or Jelly or a little bit of both?  As in the first book in the series Ben Clanton adds two extra chapters to shift the cadence.  He includes Super Sea Creatures which shares some fun facts about the mimic octopus, dolphins, blue whales, crabs, flying fish and sailfish.  A new escapade showcasing Super Waffle and Strawberry Sidekick (written by Narwhal and Jelly) will have you groaning at the puns and smiling nonstop.  Here is a sample passage from the book.

I've never had a mustache, Super Narwhal.
Too Bad! You'd look really great with a mustache.
Is that why you're blue?  Because you've never had a mustache?
Huh?  It has nothing to do with a mustache.
Did you accidentally set your hair on fire?

HAIR?  FIRE?
We're underwater!


The smiles on the faces of Narwhal and Jelly on the front of the book case set the tone for the entire title.  Readers will wonder what new excitement awaits these sea creatures turned superheroes.  To the left, on the back, readers can enjoy four square panels.  In one Narwhal is speaking, in two Jelly is adding to the fun and together in the fourth panel, the duo announce their new names.  Beneath the visuals we read:

Ben Clanton (A. K. A. Clantoons) is faster than a stationary bullet, more powerful than a toy locomotive, and can make super stories like this one and Narwhal: Unicorn Of The Sea!

The opening and closing endpapers done in two hues of golden yellow show miniature Super Narwhals and Jelly Jolts respectively on the first and second sets.

The limited color palette of a washed ocean blue, yellow, black, white and gray heightens the delight factor while also allowing for the punch which comes when adding spot color and full color in the Super Waffle And Strawberry Sidekick story.  Rendered in colored pencil, watercolor, ink and colored digitally the images span full pages, edge to edge, framed single pages, groups of panels on a single page and two full pages.  Shifting the sizes clearly contributes to the wonderful pacing.  All of the text is hand lettered by Ben.

The facial features Ben Clanton creates with dots, curves and lines are fantastic.  You can't help but be connected to his characters.  Their emotions and moods are experienced by everyone.

One of my favorite of many illustrations is a full page panel with a heavy black line and generous white space for a frame.  It's a close-up of Narwhal in his secret identity.  All we can see is the portion of his body from his tie up to the tip of his horn.  His is looking straight at the reader wearing a yellow tie, mustache and spectacles with a fin raised.  He's exclaiming:

Sounds like a job for...


Super Narwhal And Jelly Jolt (A Narwhal And Jelly Book) written and illustrated by Ben Clanton is a fun-filled read, silently or aloud.  These under-the-sea buddies are sure to find a place in each reader's heart.  This is a graphic novel series you will want on your personal and professional bookshelves.  Ahoy!

To discover more about Ben Clanton and his other work be sure to visit his website by following the link attached to his name.  There is a link there to his Instagram account.  By going to the publisher's website you can view some interior pages.  Narwhal and Jelly have their own website here.

Two Best Friends

When readers connect with characters, for whatever reason, it's a bond which lasts a lifetime.  They will want to read the stories in which these characters find themselves over and over.  Each time they are read it's as if it's the first time but the experience is far richer for those characters have become friends.  This is the huge attraction of sequels, trilogies and books in a series.

If the characters are part of a dynamic duo and happen to be as different as night and day, they become even more attractive to us.  It's the contrast in their personalities which makes for a realistic tension and continual comedy.  In the fourth volume of his highly popular and beloved series Bird & Squirrel On The Run!, Bird & Squirrel On Ice, and Bird & Squirrel On The Edge! author illustrator James Burks delivers more adventure and laughter than ever in Bird & Squirrel On Fire (Graphix, an imprint of Scholastic, January 31, 2017).

Today is the happiest day of my life.
I'm almost home.  

Squirrel is thrilled to be nearly back at his tree, his sanctuary from all the craziness he perceives in the outside world.  And to be fair, he and Bird have had their fair share of narrow escapes, all from those wishing to consume them for a main entree.  Bird, on the other wing, believes these escapades to be the very thing which makes life worth living.

Before they arrive a new resident of the forest, Red, a female squirrel, makes an appearance.  She's a chipper and no-nonsense kind of being.  As she jumps away she warns her new acquaintances to be on guard.  There's something evil lurking in the shadows.

Two of their first discoveries, other than Squirrel's home being much too dusty for his sensibilities, are their source of water is bone dry and a beaver, with a wooden block named Castor for a friend, has built a humongous dam.  The next morning Bird, in search of water, is struck by an astounding idea.  They need a party to celebrate their return.  In their zest for delivering the invitations, once Bird convinces Squirrel to host the festivities, two more startling revelations are presented.  Both of them involve the evil something lurking in the shadows.

In what can only be described as death-defying and heart-stopping scenarios, Bird, Squirrel and a fellow forest dweller find themselves barely alive thanks to the bravado of one spunky squirrel named Red.  The nasty rodents have been thwarted but will they return?  Will the party go on?  Is that smoke and flames in the forest?  The roller-coaster ride of action will tug on your emotions, laughter, tears, hardly daring to breathe and cheering...lots of cheering.


With this latest volume James Burks does not disappoint.  The conversational banter between his characters, especially Bird and Squirrel, is stellar.  They have known each other long enough now to be completely honest allowing us to feel the full force of their personalities.  This for readers can be hilarious and profoundly moving.

Amid their adventures, told almost completely in dialogue, Burks delves into more serious life issues.  He explores the definition of home, the value of friendships and sacrifice in several forms.  Here are two sample exchanges.

Come on, those are the things that make life interesting.  One day you will tell your kids all about it.

Kids?
Oh, no, no kids.  Kids make messes.  And they get sick...all the time.
No, thanks. No kids, not for me.
What was that?

It's nothing.  My bird senses are quiet as a mouse.

In the entire time I've known you, your bird senses have never been right.

That's not true.  What about the time we hit the mountain?  My bird senses were spot-on.

Yeah, after we hit the mountain.

Better late than never.


Hey, I tried to warn you.

Yes, I know.  Now how do we get out of here?

I'm glad you asked.
(long pause)
I have no idea.

What?  You always have some crazy idea.

I've got nothing.

What do you think they're going to do to us?

I'm just spitballing here, but I'd say, based on the bones...
...they're going to eat us.


The cadence James Burks creates with his words is magnified in his illustrations.  It's like we are in the middle of Saturday morning cartoons.  Everything on his pages leaps from those very pages and surrounds us in a colorful collage of sensory perceptions.  You know from looking at the front of the book case (My copy is a paperback.) these two best friends are in the thick of the action and they are off to save the day.  The dastardly eyes looking from darkness lend an extra bit of tension to this scene.  We know things are going to be heated in this volume.  The text is on fire!

The first large image, across two pages, contains the first two lines.  It spans to the left giving a canvas for the publication information.  For many of his pages Burks divides a single page into thirds.  Within each horizontal third there might be a one, two or three illustrations.  With that being said he is not afraid to have elements expand outside a panel or change the shape of a panel to fit the action as when Bird is diving in flight. His framing is with black lines and rounded corners.

In some of his more expressive scenes he breaks this technique giving readers a double-page picture with smaller images placed in a corner.  His sound effects and verbal exclamations are outside speech bubbles adding to their emphasis.  In a word, his facial expressions are fabulous.  You will find yourself laughing over and over again; even when reading this a second time.

One of my many, many favorite illustrations is after Squirrel has cleaned his home from top to bottom wearing gloves and a mask and Bird returns to tell him their river is dry.  Bird tromps into Squirrel's house spreading dirt everywhere.  Squirrel is nearly incoherent. When it finally dawns on Bird what he has done, he apologizes and swishes the dirt under the rug.  The look on Squirrel's face is priceless.


Readers are going to be gleefully glad to get this book and read it.  Bird & Squirrel On Fire written and illustrated by James Burks is outstanding in words and art.  It's one of my favorite graphic novel series.  There has never been a greater need for laughter and this book delivers it wonderfully.  I would plan on having multiple copies on your professional shelves.  You will want to have one for home too.

To learn more about James Burks and his other work please follow the link attached to his name to access his website.  Make sure you enjoy the videos he has posted on YouTube.  You are going to love this collection of favorite scenes in a Twitter takeover to announce the release of Bird & Squirrel On Fire. 

Marvelous Moments Under The Sea

Even on your most super fantastic day, laughter is still welcome.  You can never have enough laughter in your life.  The next best thing is having someone to enjoy the laughter with you.  Certainly every single person can remember being in a group when quiet is demanded but you and one other person (or more) get a case of the giggles over something ridiculous.  You try to smother the laughter but it keeps bubbling to the surface.  Once you get control of yourselves again each one feels uplifted, a glow of goodness spreading throughout your being.  That's the power of shared laughter.

Leave it to the creative mind of the man who brought us It Came In The Mail to breathe life into two distinctive characters in the first of a new graphic novel series. Narwhal: Unicorn Of The Sea (A Narwhal And Jelly Book) (Tundra Books, a division of Random House of Canada Limited, a Penguin Random House Company, October 4, 2016) written and illustrated by Ben Clanton matches unlikely marine animals together for three wonderful episodes.  Get ready for giggles and grins!

NARWHAL IS REALLY AWESOME
ONE DAY WHEN NARWHAL WAS OUT FOR A SWIM, HE FOUND HIMSELF IN NEW WATERS.

WHOA!  WHAT ARE YOU?

ME?  I'M NARWHAL THE NARWHAL!



 Narwhal has run into Jelly who can't quite believe Narwhal is real.  Narwhal turns around and asks Jelly if he is real.  Narwhal has never seen a jellyfish.  Jellyfish has never seen a narwhal. They are both wondering if the other is a figment of their imagination.  The comedic conversation continues until they come to a mutual agreement about pals and waffles.  I know what you're thinking. Waffles?  Under the sea?  That's only the beginning of the fun in this book.

In their second adventure Narwhal has read online (he has a computer) that narwhals travel and live in pods.  He can't find his pod.  Ever the glass-half-full kind of creature, Narwhal is going to make his own pod.  Going from animal to animal each one is gifted with a horn when they join.  Someone is not happy about being forgotten until the word party is mentioned.

When Jelly swims up to Narwhal in their third encounter, Narwhal is reading his favorite book in the world.  When Jelly sees the inside of the book, he is shocked and completely puzzled.  (You will be, too.)  With his upbeat, silver-lining outlook on life, Narwhal proceeds to teach Jelly about the possibilities and potential of having a book like his favorite one.  (There might be a sea monkey involved.)


You can sincerely appreciate the skill of Ben Clanton in fashioning this narrative when you read it aloud.  The contrast in the personalities of Narwhal and Jelly is enough to promote hilarity but still allow them to compromise.  Or, to be truthful, to allow Jelly to adjust his disposition.

The pacing is perfection.  Each conversation builds to an ending which will generate smiles all around.  To pause the story Ben Clanton has inserted Really Fun Facts, More Really Fun Facts and The Narwhal Song between chapters one and two and two and three.  Here is a continuation of the opening dialogue.

A NARWHAL?
YEP! UNICORN OF THE SEA!
ARE YOU REAL?
LAST TIME I CHECKED.
ARE YOU?
AM I WHAT?
REAL!
UM...YEAH, I'M A JELLYFISH.
JELLYFISH? heehee! THAT SOUNDS FUNNY!


In soft sea blues, black, white and yellow, Ben Clanton begins his limited color palette which contributes to the charm of this title.  Who can resist the cheerful Narwhal on the front of the book case?  Jellyfish is looking rather alarmed.  Who is this Unicorn of the Sea?  To the left, on the back, four square blue panels on a yellow background, two with Narwhal speaking and two with Jellyfish talking, promote this book and waffles. On the opening endpapers tiny Narwhals cover the space.  Miniature Jellies cover the closing endpapers.

These images are rendered in colored pencil and colored digitally.  All the text is hand-lettered by Ben Clanton.  Wider, heavy black lines frame each panel and the elements in each picture.  The panel sizes vary from square to rectangle and to full page pictures.  At times Clanton will place a square within a larger visual for emphasis.  For a big "WOW" factor there are several two page illustrations.

It should also be noted that the limited color choices open the door to the zing we get when more realistic color is introduced in the final chapter.  The quality of facial expressions and emotion Clanton gets with a few lines and dots is amazing.  These characters are ready to leap from the sea into your space.

One of my many favorite illustrations is on page nine.  The background is white with light blue bubbles surrounding Jelly who is looking rather grumpy in the center of the page.  His brows are furrowed (a straight line across his eyes).  Two of his six legs are raised to look like arms as he looks directly at the reader making an appeal with his statements.  I dare you not to burst out laughing at this page.

Narwhal: Unicorn Of The Sea (A Narwhal And Jelly Book) written and illustrated by Ben Clanton is a wonderful beginning in what promises to be a delightful series.  I guarantee you will fall in love with these characters after the first few pages.  I can hardly wait for the second book to be released.  According to IndieBound.org it will be May 2017.  Podtastic!

To discover more about Ben Clanton please visit his website by following the link attached to his name.  You can get a peek at some of the interior by following this link to the publisher's website. Narwhal and Jellyfish have their own website here.  This book is featured at All The Wonders in a post.  This title is one of the School Library Journal Top 10 Graphic Novels | 2016.

@AmySetoMusser can't believe I'm actually posting this! But here it is . . . pic.twitter.com/CpdB9obkyF

— Ben Clanton (@Clantoons) December 8, 2016