Graphic Novel Review: WolfWalkers

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WolfWalkers by Tomm Moore

WolfWalkers: The Graphic Novel
by Tomm Moore (Creator), Samuel Sattin (Goodreads Author) (Adapted by)
4 out of 5 stars

Robyn Goodfellowe is the daughter of a wolf hunter, tasked with ridding the forest of all wolves. Although her father has told her to stay home where it is safe, Robyn tracks her father into the forest, armed with a crossbow and assisted by her faithful hawk, Merlyn. Robyn is determined to help her father and kill a few wolves of her own, until she meets a mystical WolfWalker girl. WolfWalkers are humans when they are awake, and transform into wolves when they fall asleep. The two girls begin an unlikely friendship, and Robyn must choose to either save her father or save her new WolfWalker friend.

I loved the magic and the mystical legends in this graphic novel! The magical world-building is really beautiful and imaginative.

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Graphic Novel Review: Pigs Might Fly

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Pigs Might Fly by Nick Abadzis

Pigs Might Fly
by Nick Abadzis, Jerel Dye (Illustrations)
4 out of 5 stars

Lily is the daughter of a famous inventor in the Pigdom Plains. She dreams of inventing her own flying machine, succeeding where her father could not. Although she has access to magic, Lily wants to use science to create an engine that will stay aloft on its own power. When a mysterious squadron of attack flyers begin to harass the countryside, Lily scrambles to finish the prototype of her airplane and she takes to the skies to protect her neighbors. But if her father finds out what she has done, Lily will be in big trouble.

I loved this graphic novel! Lily is such a spunky main character. She is so intelligent and brave. I was cheering for her through the entire book! I loved seeing how she interacts with her father, her aunt, and her young cousin. That family dynamic was very dramatic, as they sometimes fight or disagree, but always protect each other. Each of these characters have strong personalities and are very intelligent and independent, so that makes for some great character development.

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Book Review: Stuart Little

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Stuart Little by E.B. White

Stuart Little
by E.B. White, Garth Williams (Illustrator)
5 out of 5 stars
Stuart is a mouse born to a family of people. His parents and older brother are not quite sure what to make of him. They ask the doctor if their new baby mouse is quite healthy, but Stuart proves to them that he is more resilient than they realize. Through all his adventures, Stuart keeps his courage and tenacity.

I just love this whimsical story! There is always something hilarious happening, and I especially love the story line about Stuart sailing a ship in Central Park. Margalo, the little bird, is a lovely character, so sweet and helpless and delicate.

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Book Review: Five Children and It

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Five Children and It by E. Nesbit

Five Children and It
by E. Nesbit, Edith Nesbit
5 out of 5 stars
Five siblings find a Psammead, a sand fairy, who agrees to grant them one wish every day. They wish for money, beauty, wings, and all manner of foolish things, and every wish somehow goes terribly wrong as the consequences catch up with them.

I always love this book every time I reread it! It’s so whimsical and charming. I just love the setting and the time period in the early 1900s.

The siblings are silly and cross and affectionate. They tease each other and fight and take care of each other. In other words, they are just like regular siblings.

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Book Review: The Twits

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The Twits by Roald Dahl

The Twits
by Roald Dahl, Quentin Blake (illustrator)
3 out of 5 stars
Mr. and Mrs. Twit are horrible people. They play nasty tricks and kill birds and keep circus monkeys locked in a cage. But one day the monkeys and the birds team up to get their revenge on the evil Twits.

This has never been my favorite Roald Dahl book. The story is very short and simple, and I think I prefer his longer books with a more structured story. But this is a cute one, and it has that sparky Dahl flavor. I do like the funny illustrations!

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Classic Book Review: Rose in Bloom

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Rose in Bloom by Louisa May Alcott

Rose in Bloom (Eight Cousins, #2)
by Louisa May Alcott
5 out of 5 stars
Rose has returned from a year abroad to find that most of her boy cousins have quite grown up while she was away. Suddenly, they are all on the brink of adulthood and beginning to think of careers and romance. Rose must choose her path in life carefully while she begins to gradually bloom.

I love this marvelous sequel to Eight Cousins! It has a more mature purpose and some darker themes than the first book. There are themes about alcoholism, death, clan loyalty, elitism, philanthropy, and having strong moral principles. This is another Alcott book with moral lessons in every other chapter, but I love it! The morals are woven so nicely into the story, that I don’t mind being preached at in this wholesome way.

I love Phebe and Rose’s sweet friendship even more in this second book than in the first one! Those two girls are so close and affectionate, and they are fiercely loyal and ready to brave anything to protect their friend. It’s so refreshing to read about a strong female friendship!

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Book Review: Danny the Champion of the World

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Danny the Champion of the World by Roald Dahl

Danny the Champion of the World
by Roald Dahl, Quentin Blake (Illustrator)
5 out of 5 stars

Danny and his father have a close relationship. They live in a caravan behind their gas station and car mechanic garage. Danny learns to be the youngest mechanic in history. One night he discovers that his father is keeping a delightful secret, and he needs Danny’s help.

This is my favorite Dahl book! The connection between father and son is so precious! I love the way that Danny describes his father and their simple life together living in their little caravan. Danny is such a clever and intelligent little boy with a good heart.

There is something so charming about Dahl’s writing style. Every time I read one of his books, I am swept away into a world of enchantment and hilarity. There are so many funny scenes in this book! I always laugh so hard each time I reread it.

Book Review: Magic or Not?

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Magic or Not? by Edward Eager

Magic or Not? (Tales of Magic, #5)
by Edward Eager, N.M. Bodecker (Illustrator), Quentin Blake (Cover Illustrator)
4 out of 5 stars
I loved rereading this children’s classic! When twins Laura and James move to the country, they find an old wishing well, and begin to test the magic waters with their wishes. The wishes seem to come true, but in such regular, mundane ways that the children can’t be sure… was it magic or not? The eccentric Lydia comes blasting into their adventures, and their neighbor Kip joins in the fun.

The wishing well definitely appears to be influencing their adventures, but only when they wish something good for others, never when they wish for themselves. So the four friends attempt a quest of good deeds, with mixed results when the disgustingly spoiled rich kid, Gordy, begins to tag along and pester them. Can the children accept the strange directions that the wishing well sends them, or will they draw the line at including the nasty Gordy in their group?

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