Review: Blue, Barry & Pancakes: Beach Ball Bedlam

*Written & Illustrated by Dan & Jason*
*Published by Rock the Boat*

Blue, Barry & Pancakes: Beach Ball Bedlam is the first in a wonderful graphic novel series for younger readers – hilarious adventures with three brilliant friends – an adventurous, sport-loving bunny; a book-loving, thoughtful worm; and an inventor, over-thinking frog.

Blue, Barry and Pancakes are best friends who live in the most fantastic, giant tree house. Just as Barry is finishing his impressive Eiffel Tower waffle stack, Pancakes has an idea …

The three friends decide to head to the beach where beach ball seems a perfect activity, but disaster strikes when they lose Blue’s ball to a hungry whale! Luckily, Barry is full of awesome ideas, but not all plans go exactly as intended …

And so begins a hilarious out-of-this-world adventure as the three friends attempt to retrieve Blue’s beach ball and find themselves at an alien pool party …

I loved both the wacky adventure and the heart-warming friendship between Blue, Barry and Pancakes as they realise that friendship is more important than anything else. The full-colour, vibrant illustrations are absolutely gorgeous and so wonderfully expressive. The large panels and speech bubbles will really appeal to young readers.

Explosive fun meets wonderful friendships in this gorgeous graphic novel series for younger readers of 6+.

Thank you to Dannie Price and the Publisher for sending me a copy of this graphic novel in exchange for my honest opinion.

Author Guest Post and Review: Happy Hills: Knick Knacks Attacks

Today, I’m delighted to be able to share a fascinating guest post from author and illustrator Sophy Henn on the inspiration behind Happy Hills. I will also be sharing my review of this hilarious graphic novel.

Guest Author Post

Sophy Henn on the inspiration behind Happy Hills

One of my favourite bits of my job is doing Q&A sessions after events. Now, I must confess I rarely get to do them as I am always running out of time BUT when I do I am consistently thrilled by the variety of questions I get, but three pop up rather a lot…

How old are you?

What’s your favourite colour?

And… Where do you get your ideas from?

So, in case you are interested…

1) REALLY old (but huge thanks to the very sweet girl who suggested I was 27!)
2) Rainbow
3) EVERYWHERE.

Ideas for stories really are everywhere, they are happening around us all the time but we must stay vigilant or we will miss them! I like to scribble or doodle my ideas down when they pop up as my memory is appalling and also because more often than not I will get a bit of an idea and either have to let it grow over time in my sketchbook, or match it with something else that has been lingering there.

This was the case with Happy Hills. I have been making comics for many years and used comic strips throughout the Pizazz series but it still felt like a bit of a leap to make an ENTIRE comic book. But it was going over my sketchbooks and seeing all the characters I had dreamt up that gave me the idea to create an ensemble cast of cute but VERY feisty characters that could populate this imaginary land.

With my head full from browsing pages and pages of sketchbooks I sat down and drew pretty much the whole cast, straight away on one page of a sketchbook. And the idea of them looking so cute but having very contrasting traits was making me laugh but it was also resonating!

As a middle aged woman I find myself often pigeon holed in one way or another, but I delight in still having the capacity for great silliness, or maybe getting furious about an injustice or possibly just wanting to sing and dance – despite what the world expects of me! And despite huge leaps and bounds this happens in all areas of society, but I think girls and young women suffer from preconceived ideas of looks /behaviour more than most. So not only did a cast of cute but spirited and silly characters make me laugh it felt like something with worth and meaning.

I wanted to keep the energy high so while I decided to have a narrative thread that ran through the books in recurring strips, I would pepper this with running gags, standalone strips and mini series that run from book to book. In my head it became a sketch show, rather like The Fast Show, with catchphrases, familiar jokes and surprisingly poignant moments. Hopefully.

The core ideas for the strips themselves come from a very disparate selection of sources – memories of my childhood, of my daughter’s childhood, moments I have witnessed and overheard when I am out and about, pop culture references, old comic strips I made years ago, films, TV and occasionally even BOOKS! As I said before the kernels of stories are everywhere, you just have to keep your eyes and ears open – oh and don’t forget to jot them down!

Review

Knick Knacks Attacks is the second madcap, hilarious book in the Happy Hills full-colour graphic novel series.

I loved the introduction to the residents of Happy Hills which is included at the start of the book – with some great asides by the flowers! As Ace wakes up and wonders where he is, he is reminded by Captain that he now lives in Happy Hills, but someone else has sight their sights on the zany residents of his new home …

Knick Knacks loves collecting things and this time, he has set his sights on swiping a collection of new Happy Hills friends – whether they like it or not! As the residents of Happy Hills live their own wacky lives with stare-offs and dance-offs, Knick Knacks plots his first friendship swipe … will the residents realise the danger they are in before it’s too late, or will Happy Hills lose its eccentric residents to a villainous collector?

Wowzers! Giggles are absolutely guaranteed in this chaotic adventure when the mischievous villain Knick Knacks comes up with his brilliantly inventive schemes for collecting his new friends. Meanwhile, the wondrously bizarre cast of characters in Happy Hills are oblivious to what is happening as they are caught up in their own laugh-out-loud stories. And just wait for the flower narrators – genius!

Whilst this is a fantastically funny story, it also has some heart-warming messages about friendships.

The full-colour, vibrant illustrations are absolutely gorgeous and so very expressive with a variety of panel sizes, captions and speech balloons which will appeal to young readers. I loved that there are tutorials to encourage young readers to draw Shroomer and Knick Knacks – maybe they’ll even be tempted to continue the story … before they can get their hands on the next Happy Hills adventure.

A delicious delight that is sure to capture the attention of young readers of 5+ as they head to Happy Hills for another wacky adventure.

Author Information

Sophy Henn is an award-winning picture book author and illustrator with an MA in Illustration from the University of Brighton. She is the creator of the much-loved Bad Nana fiction series, the Pom Pom series, the Ted board books series and has recently created the non-fiction titles Lifesize and Lifesize Dinosaurs. Her debut picture book Where Bear? Was nominated for the Kate Greenaway Medal and was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize. Sophy was the World Book Day Illustrator in 2015 and 2016. Her books are published throughout the world.

Thank you to Nic Wilkinson and Simon & Schuster for sending me a copy of Happy Hills: Knick Knacks Attacks in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review: Stitch Head: The Graphic Novel by Guy Bass and Pete Williamson

*Written by Guy Bass*
*Illustrated by Pete Williamson*
*Colour by Kat Cass*
*Published by Little Tiger*

Stitch Head: The Graphic Novel is a gorgeously gothic, deliciously dark and monstrously marvellous adventure guaranteed to bring a swarm of new fans to this brilliant series.

Fulbert Freakfinder’s Travellin’ Carnival of Unnatural Wonders is visiting Grubber’s Nubbin and ready to put on a show for the locals but no-one turns up – except Arabella Guff who tells Fulbert that fear keeps the locals inside at night, and it’s not fear of his freak show, but their fear of Castle Grotteskew …

Meanwhile, in Castle Grotteskew, mad scientist Professor Erasmus is bringing his monstrous creations to almost-life but it is his first creation, Stitch Head, who is using his antidotes to lessen the effects of his master’s ever more dangerous experiments as, should any of these creations, ever escape the castle, trouble is sure to arrive … but then the doorbell rings for the first time in a hundred years … and Fulbert Freakfinder offers to make Stitch Head a star! Could finally leaving the master who has forgotten him be the best decision Stitch Head ever makes, or could he be making a terrible mistake?

I am a huge fan of the Stitch Head series, which I was first introduced to on a teacher training course, so it was absolutely brilliant to see his adventures in this new graphic novel. The full-colour illustrations are absolutely stunning and really capture the darkness and light in this brilliant adventure as well as the expressiveness, and humour, of the many wonderful characters which really brought them to life. I just have to say that I loved the playfulness of the potion labels: a particular favourite was Just Another Manic Monster.

This is a deliciously dark, gothic tale brimming with humour and heart. My heart ached for Stitch Head as he wants nothing more than for his childhood friend to remember him. Forgotten, he spends his time averting disaster for the Professor who is determined to make his monstrous creations regardless of the dangers that might occur should one escape the Castle. I adored the friendship that develops between Stitch Head, his master’s 309^th creation and Arabella Guff who make a brilliant team as they work together to save the Castle.

An absolutely amazing start to what promises to be a fantastic new graphic novel series by the brilliant, unstoppable duo of Guy Bass and Pete Williamson. Onwards to the next adventure … The Pirate’s Eye.

Thank you to Little Tiger for providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Blog Tour: Peng and Spanners by Steve Webb

Peng and Spanners is the first adventure in a fantastic new graphic novel series: an absolute riot of fun and mischief with two new stupendous superheroes that I have no doubt will become firm favourites with young readers.

Peng is looking for adventures far away from his icy home, but is not at all impressed when his parents send him to a boarding school, but perhaps Boredin Boarding School will not be quite as boring as he expects … and that might just have something to do with new friend, Spanners, a clever cat with a toolbelt full of gadgets.

On his first day at school, Peng discovers that his headteacher is on a mission to impress the inspectors: he has built a school pizza restaurant to win the Best School Dinners Award – and there’s free pizza for everyone. And, as everyone knows, free pizza trumps adventure – and boredom! Unless … the pizza parlour goes missing, and then there’s a whole lot of adventure for these two superheroes on a mission.

Can Peng-tastic and Spanners find the thief, and solve the mystery of the missing pizza place, before the school inspectors arrive? There’s just a giant talking robot intent on world-domination, a quick jail break and the need to avoid Cinderella the mop-wielding caretaker standing between success and disaster.

Peng and Spanners are the most wonderful double-act with Peng as the super ninja superhero and Spanners his possible sidey-kick. I loved the misunderstandings, the humour and the banter between this ~~duet~~ duo which brought giggles galore. Whilst Spanners might get a smidgen confused, he is a brilliant inventor who makes fantastic superhero contraptions – even if Peng doesn’t always appreciate them! And my goodness, can he tell a tall tale!

I adored the playfulness of the language from Spanners use of incorrect superhero names (hilarious – I’m still smiling at Soupman and the Incredible Sulk), Peng’s sarcasm and direct address to the reader, and the double trouble ‘We are here to judge you’ inspectors. And then, there’s Botty – guaranteed giggles. And, as if that wasn’t enough, there’s even a draw with Peng and Spanners. I just won’t mention the pizza toppings page – urgh!

I loved both the vivid full-colour illustrations throughout – which complement the energy and humour of the adventure – as well as the layout and fonts which I have no doubt will appeal to young readers.

A fantastic, fun-filled feast of wackiness that is sure to hook young readers who I have no doubt will keep coming back for more as they wait for the next adventure in Peng and Spanners Meet Mr Big.

Thank you so much to Bethany Carter and Faber Children’s Books for inviting me to be part of the Blog Tour for this brilliant graphic novel, and for providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Do check out the other stops on the Blog Tour:

Graphic Novel Review: Pablo and Splash by Sheena Dempsey

*Written and Illustrated by Sheena Dempsey*
*Published by Bloomsbury*
*Published on 18th January*

Pablo and Splash is a wonderfully funny, full-colour graphic novel that is guaranteed to delight young readers of 8+ as they adventure back in time with two accidental time-travellers.

Even though she’s a penguin, Splash is not a fan of the Antarctica temperatures, and relies on a trusty scarf and hat for added warmth – even when she’s in a penguin huddle. Whilst her best friend, Pablo, thinks their home is paradise, Splash longs for a luxury holiday … in the sun! But how to get there?

After falling down an ice hole, the two friends are captured by Professor O’Brain and, whilst trying to escape her clutches, find themselves in a time-travel machine which transports them to a beach, but one which they’re sharing with … DINOSAURS! Can these accidental explorers find their way home? Or will they be stuck in the past, avoiding becoming the next meal for the locals?

This is such a fun read that brought plenty of giggles! The language is wonderfully playful including some fantastic puns – especially the fishy ones! The interactions between the two friends are just brilliant – filled with humour, warmth and oh so many problems to solve!

I adored the friendship between Splash and Pablo who are both incredibly likeable penguins! Pablo is more cautious, careful, and sensible whilst Splash is more curious, impetuous and daring with a sense of adventure. But what a brilliant pair they make as they team up to solve a rather big problem!

I loved the bright, vivid full-colour illustrations throughout which complement the energy, humour and warmth of the adventure. And, I didn’t know that penguin beaks and flippers could be so expressive!

The endmatter includes a guide for drawing Pablo and Splash and factual information. I especially enjoyed Pablo and Splash’s completely and absolutely true facts, particularly those about huddling and the Southern Lights.

A krill-tastic, laugh-out-loud adventure that is sure to capture the imaginations of young readers who, I have no doubt, will have a whale of a time as they join Pablo and Splash on their first time-travelling adventure.

Thank you to Bloomsbury for providing me with an early copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Graphic Novel Review: The Adventures of Invisible Boy by Doogie Horner

*Written and illustrated by Doogie Horner*
*Published by Scholastic*
*Published on 4th January*

The Adventures of Invisible Boy is a full-colour graphic novel which begins the adventures of a wonderful new superhero, and I have no doubt that children of 8+ will be keen to follow his first incredible adventure – and will be eager for more!

Eugene is working hard on his entry for the science fair, something he needs to keep secret from his parents as they don’t approve of his inventions. But he is hoping that, after he wins the science fair, he will be allowed to invent again.

Meanwhile, Stanley is worried about starting a new school in the middle of the year – what if he can’t make new friends? When he accidentally knocks over a potion at the science fair, something happens that will change his life: he is invisible! And the last place he intends to stay is in school … he’s off to have some fun!

But, when Stanley discovers that the creator of the potion has also turned invisible and he is out to cause trouble, Stanley decides that he must use his new powers to fight back – to become a superhero! Can Invisible Boy defeat the new supervillain in town? And, of course, every superhero needs a sidekick and what an unexpected, but brilliant, one he finds!

This is such a fun adventure with oodles of humour and mayhem as Stanley learns to use his new power; as he finds himself facing trouble in his efforts to help others; and, as he battles to defeat his would-be nemesis. There are so many cool inventions shared throughout the adventure and I can just imagine children wanting to use them – and maybe even come up with their own inventions!

This is also a story that lots of children will be able to relate to, or which will encourage empathy as it deals with issues such as worries about starting a new school, making new friends and loneliness.

The full-colour illustrations are brilliant and complement the action, humour and mayhem perfectly.

This is a fantastic first adventure for Invisible Boy, and is one that I know my class are going to love.

Thank you to Scholastic for sending me an early copy in exchange for my honest opinion.