THE SECRET GARDEN, adapted by Mariah Marsden and illustrated by Hanna Luechtefeld, does a pretty terrific job of bringing the classic to life as a graphic novel. Cranky, ten-year-old orphan Mary Lennox is brought to live at her distant uncle’s gloomy Misselthwaite Manor. Aided by cheerful servant Martha, and Martha’s extraordinary brother Dickon (who can seemingly tame any animal), Mary soon discovers the wonders of the natural world—and the magic of a secret garden. When Mary befriends Colin, the spoiled son of her benefactor, she teaches him to love the outdoors, too. The delicate, gently-colored art is splendid. (MG)
In THE OKAY WITCH, by Emma Steinkellner, thirteen-year-old Moth Hush is a misfit in her small town, where a bullying classmate brags about being “100% all-American Pilgrim beef.” According to legend, in the 1600s a group of witches living on the edge of town disappeared, along with the son of Judge Kramer, the town’s leading citizen. Now, suddenly, Moth finds she’s able to do what her mom calls First Magic, otherwise known as an accidental spell. Apparently Moth—and her mom—are witches. Trouble ensues! Story and digital art combine to tell a rollicking tale with plenty of personality. (MG)
Picture Books:
THE RAMBLE SHAMBLE CHILDREN, by Christina Soontornvant, illustrated by Lauren Castillo, is an endearing glimpse into the family of five children—Merra, Locky, Roozle, Finn, and Jory—who live together “in a ramble shamble house.” The older ones take care of the garden and the chickens, while Jory looks after the mud. All is well, until they find a picture of what a “proper” house should look like. But, in the end, they find there is no better home—or family—than their own. Castillo’s ink drawings and monoprints, combined in Photoshop are bright, bold, and appealing.
WE BECAME JAGUARS, by Dave Eggers, illustrated by Woodrow White, is a quirky look at what happens when your grandmother comes over to visit and she wants to “be jaguars.” First you practice on the carpet, but then you go into the night, leaping through the trees, laughing like thunder, and jaguaring on. Powerful gouache, acrylic, and digital art brings this dreamlike story to life.
YES & NO, by Elisha Cooper, follows a dog and a cat through their day, as they are prompted by an offstage narrator. The dog behaves very much like a dog, and the cat behaves very much like a cat, and the pair engage in plenty of species-appropriate parallel play, until they share a wonderful moment at sunset. As the dog explains, “The day was good but now it’s done.” Except, maybe not for the cat… Cooper’s ink and watercolor illustrations, as always, capture his subjects well.
GRASSHOPPER, a wordless book by Tatiana Ukhova, has won multiple awards for its art. In it, a girl lies on a blanket, enjoying her garden, when a swarm of ants attacking her apple core set off a string of events that show her how well-meant actions may have unintended consequences. Ants, caterpillar, beetle, grasshopper, cricket, the girl and her cat all become entangled, but the episode ends on a happy note. Enjoy your garden and let the critters be free!
--Lynn
