THE SCARLET SHIP
by Claire Grimond
Translated by Rebecca Potters
Illustrated by Leo Verrier
Middle Grade Fantasy /
Graphic Novel
Andrews McMeel Publishing
112 pages
Ages 10 to 12
COMING...
OCTOBER 7th!!!
Twelve-year-old Malo and his grandmother board the Scarlet Ship in this beautifully illustrated, full-color graphic novel for young readers. A super fun, high-stakes pirate adventure with the heartfelt themes of identity, courage, and the power of art!
Join Malo, a spirited young artist, on an exhilarating journey as he strives to match the incredible talents of his famous Grandma Zita. For fans of Disney's Encanto, Jennifer Muro's A Superhero Graphic Novel, Hayao Miyazaki's Spirited Away, and those who are eager to chase their dreams in the face of doubt.
When Malo and his grandmother board a mysterious, floating vessel called the Scarlet Ship, they're not quite sure what to expect. After all, the ship’s crew are no ordinary pirates; they specialize in art . . . piracy!
At the helm of the ship is the fearsome Captain Magenta, a ruthless man with a singular to wipe out artistic expression from the world forever .
Armed with brushes, paints, and unwavering courage, Malo and his new friend Cyane must stand against Captain Magenta’s tyranny, save Grandma Zita from certain doom, and demonstrate that art possesses the power to inspire, unite, and stand up against oppression.
Brought to life with vibrant, expressive illustrations by renowned French comic artist Léo Verrier, The Scarlet Ship brims with heart, humor, and high-flying adventure. This graphic novel invites readers of all ages to uncover the magic of creativity and the importance of discovering their own artistic voice.
Join Malo, a spirited young artist, on an exhilarating journey as he strives to match the incredible talents of his famous Grandma Zita. For fans of Disney's Encanto, Jennifer Muro's A Superhero Graphic Novel, Hayao Miyazaki's Spirited Away, and those who are eager to chase their dreams in the face of doubt.
When Malo and his grandmother board a mysterious, floating vessel called the Scarlet Ship, they're not quite sure what to expect. After all, the ship’s crew are no ordinary pirates; they specialize in art . . . piracy!
At the helm of the ship is the fearsome Captain Magenta, a ruthless man with a singular to wipe out artistic expression from the world forever .
Armed with brushes, paints, and unwavering courage, Malo and his new friend Cyane must stand against Captain Magenta’s tyranny, save Grandma Zita from certain doom, and demonstrate that art possesses the power to inspire, unite, and stand up against oppression.
Brought to life with vibrant, expressive illustrations by renowned French comic artist Léo Verrier, The Scarlet Ship brims with heart, humor, and high-flying adventure. This graphic novel invites readers of all ages to uncover the magic of creativity and the importance of discovering their own artistic voice.
MY TIDBITS
Grandmother and grandchild goodness meets magic and adventure to form an exciting and wholesome tale.
Malo's grandmother is a renowned artist and sees amazing potential in Malo's abilities...although he doesn't agree because he never even knows what to create. When a trip to the gallery coincides with the theft of one of his grandmother's paintings, more than a mystery is set into play. Instead, Malo follows his grandmother to the building's roof where they find a flying elevator. That takes them to a flying pirate ship, with a crew which loves to paint. Add a questionable captain, a scared muse, and a very determined detective, and Malo is on the adventure of a lifetime.
This is a playful fantasy, which lets the imagination take flight in original ways. A flying elevator already will raise the first eyebrows, but it's the artistic pirates which adds unique flair. While the pirate ship and its crew hold traditional flair (outside of flying, of course), these pirates 'raid' by dropping overboard with giant paintbrushes to decorate the sides of buildings. Their love for color is fun, too. Then, there's the muse with her little wings, who disappears into artwork at will, as well, as a captain, who has a surprising side to add a sense of danger and tension...something every true adventure needs. There's also a nod toward steampunk with the detectives mechanical bird. In other words, there's a lot of unexpected details to let dreams soar and keep the pacing quick the entire way through.
There's also food for thought built in. First, there's the grandmother's desire for the grandson to follow her path. She isn't really pushy but just the high-expectations bug Malo. Then, there's a bit of self-discovery as Malo learns to open up and step beyond his comfort zone. There's also lessons about greed, and a discussion-worthy visit to graffiti's place and rightness in society.
The illustrations let the fantasy flow and keep the tension high to accompany the text wonderfully. It's enjoyable to simply flip through these and enjoy the story. But the text also does a nice job and bringing zest and plot in the right ways. It fits well to the age group, especially the middle and lower ends. The art direction will settle better with some readers than others.
It's a lovely read with tons of fantasy goodness and will delight especially creative readers.
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