Today's read... True Beauty by Yaongyi

Today's read is one that my teens have been enjoying...in webtoon form. It's a very popular read, which seems to be doing well across the globe. While my son finds it a bit superficial...and his criticism had me wanting to read this one even more...my daughter enjoyed it. 

Before I babble on, let's just take a look and see what it's about.

TRUE BEAUTY, VOL. 1

by Yaongyi

WEBTOON Unscrolled

YA Contemporary / Graphic Novel

288 pages

After binge-watching beauty videos online, a shy, comic book fan masters the art of make-up, then sees her social standing skyrocket as she becomes her school’s prettiest pretty girl literally overnight. But will her elite status be short lived? How long can she keep her “real self” a secret? And what about that cute boy she likes? Could you imagine if he found out the truth?

GOODREADS : https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60653008-true-beauty-vol-1

AMAZON: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1990259898/ref=x_gr_bb_amazon

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/true-beauty-volume-one-yaongyi/1143345979

MY TIDBITS

The battle between self-confidence and fitting others' expectations hits with edges of reality, making it understandable why this series is doing so well.

Jugyeong could get lost in horror movies and mangas and just disappear, but life isn't that simple. As the ugly duckling of her family and a teen, she's bogged down more and more with concerns over her looks and takes every cruel comment about them to heart.  Deciding to take fate into her own hands, she dives into the world of makeup, and after many tutorials, becomes a master. Add a switch of schools to her carefully crafted appearance, and she's soon at the top of the popular ranks even online. But it's more than just about looks. Her hobbies are anything but acceptable in the popular circles. So, she ends up living a double-life and hopes no one discovers her secret...until someone swipes a manga out of her hands.

This read hits home more than I expected it would and delivers several messages the age group (and even slightly younger ones) need to have reconfirmed again and again. Jugyeong is hit with the realization that only the attractive people seem to receive the better end of the social life. She's bullied at school and in other places, and assumes that all of this has to do with her outer appearance...which it does to an extent but there's more. Her mission to find acceptance takes an almost fantasical touch as she transforms into a 'goddess', allowing the two sides to come across like night and day. But it's here that the book starts swooping in with deeper messages. It's not just her looks that change, but how she interacts with those around her as she stifles her true personality...not to mention the troubles a double-life causes.

The graphics bring each moment across well and let the reader really sink in. There's a nice play between dark and light to underscore the moods and undertones. Some of the facial expressions caught me a little off-guard, but they allow the truth behind the facade to glimpse through. 

As an extra note in this first volume, the author also touches upon the problem of self-imaging on the internet and begins to open up the question of how much and to what degree a person should display themselves just for likes and attention...which I was glad to see.

There is a beginning hint of romance in these pages, but it's just a whisper as the friendship doesn't even fully exist, yet. And there is a nod toward a possible triangle, but even here, it's only a faint possibility and may fade in volume II...who knows. I'm already looking forward to picking up the next volume and discovering how she deals with things from here.

And here she is...

Yaongyi began drawing at a young age, and dreamed of becoming a comic creator as a child. She had brief interests in other career paths, calling them "flings" in her interview with LINE Webtoon, but always returned to art. She worked a handful of jobs before eventually creating True Beauty. Her real name is Kim Na-young and she was born on April 24, 1991. Many fans were impressed with her looks following her face reveal one year after 0rue Beauty's debut, stating that "an angel is drawing an angel". (taken from Goodreads).

Today's read... Elves Are the Worst! by Alex Willan

Is it Christmas time already? Of course not! I've already read the first three books in this series and am pretty sure that this one (if it follows the same scheme as the others) will work for any day of the year...Christmas, too. The series hits ones magical creature after the other, points out their frustrating aspects, and has me smiling every time. Plus, the phrase 'Christmas in July' makes it appropriate enough to grab this read up and dive in (as if I need an excuse).

Grab those Santa hats because we're going to let the early Christmas dreams fly!

ELVES ARE THE WORST!

Are the Worst! #4

by Alex Willan

Simon & Schuster

Picture Book

40 pages

ages 4 to 8

COMING...

SEPTEMBER 12th!!!

Gilbert the Goblin infiltrates Santa’s workshop to prove that goblins are better workers than elves in the side-splitting latest installment in The Worst! picture book series, where even the strangest of creatures can become the best of friends.

Everyone knows that elves have a reputation of being the hardest workers around—especially when it comes to the holiday season—but as far as Gilbert the Goblin is concerned that’s nothing but ho-ho-hogwash. A goblin’s to-do list is just as long as any elf’s; they just don’t feel the need to sing songs about it.

To prove he can outperform any reindeer-watching, wrapper-paper-wielding, toy-tinkering elf, Gilbert puts on his merriest disguise to infiltrate Santa’s workshop. But can one lone goblin do the work of a whole team of elves?

GOODREADS    /    B&N    /    AMAZON

MY TIDBITS

The humor puts smiles not only on kids but will have adults smirking and chuckling as well.

Elves, especially Christmas elves, aren't nearly as amazing as everyone acts like they are. Certainly not more impressive than a goblin. With carefully laid out evidence, this goblin reveals the truth behind elves...until it doesn't quite work out like he hopes.

After exploring dragons, unicorns, and yetis, the author now tackles elves in the most delightful way. It's fun to see what evidence the goblin presents (and that always in a serious tone). Especially in this book, the play on real life examples was funny...and if that doesn't have kids smiling, the more slap-stick humor toward the end of the tale will. It's a balanced mix to pull in kids and even offer adults something along the way. 

The illustrations are bright and bold, and weave right in to add even more on the humor end. The comparison between elves and goblins hits especially well...and blurs lines in all the right ways. The elves come across, even when being scrutinized by the goblin, at the end in a way, which does keep the dreams of Christmas alive, making this a great holiday read. It does, however, work for any time of year, too.

With the silliness, there are also warming messages. Not only does the goblin continue (like in the other books) his mistake of building himself up by trying to shove others done, but there's also a message surrounding the value of working together as well as one concerning the importance of gathering different perspectives to make things even better. In other words, it's a read worth picking up.

Today's read... Luigi, the Spider Who Wanted to be a Kitten by Michelle Knudsen

Today's read doesn't hit the shelves until early March next year, but the second I saw it, I had to dive in. The title grabbed my attention because...well, a spider wanting to be a kitten? If that's not original, I don't know what is. And I liked the name Luigi for a spider, since I'm pretty sure I've never heard of anyone naming their spider that, either. The entire thing screams 'I'm a good read' to me. Now, let's find out if it is.

LUIGI, THE SPIDER WHO WANTED TO BE A KITTEN

by Michelle Knudsen

Illustrated by Kevin Hawkes

Candlewick

Picture Book

40 pages

ages 4 to 8

COMING...

MARCH 5TH, 2024!!!

From the New York Times best-selling creators of Library Lion comes a warm (and delightfully fuzzy) storybook about learning to be—and be loved for—exactly who you are.

On a street of old houses, a big hairy spider is searching for a home with dark corners to hide in. But when he wakes up, he finds a hand reaching for him and a lady proclaiming that she has always wanted a kitten—and will name him Luigi! At first, a somewhat puzzled Luigi, used to being left alone to creep and dangle and spin webs, resists her kind advances. But soon, tasty breakfasts and getting tucked into bed (no one’s ever wished him good night before) have him thinking that kittens surely live magical lives. I will be a kitten! he decides. But how long can he keep up his facade, and what might be at stake in pretending to be someone you’re not? The award-winning duo behind Library Lion delivers another classic in the making, marked by humor and depth, endearing characters, and the assurance that the right people will accept and adore us, unconditionally, just as we are.

GOODREADS

MY TIDBITS

This spider breaks through the creepy barrier to achieve cuteness and proves that even unexpected creatures can be cuddly and adorable.

After entering a house, Luigi can't wait to crawl into a dark space and build his web, but just as he's getting settled in, the elderly woman catches him and claims he's a kitten. Before he knows it, she's feeding him, playing with him, and even wants to cuddle with him. While not sure what to think of everything, Luigi soon realizes that life as a kitten isn't that bad. Now, he only has to hope that the elderly woman doesn't realize her mistake.

Spiders can be cute, and that realization hits for some of us careful-creepy-crawly readers out there thanks to this read. Luigi wins over not only with his fuzziness, but with his loveable attitude...and desire to be loved. As a spider with a good heart and not the slightest evil intention, it's heart-warming to watch him step out of his comfort-zone (or be carried out of it, in this case) and grow with experience. 

Inspiring friendship mixes with kindness and acceptance to form a wholesome read. There's just the right amount of tension to keep it interesting and a lovely twist at the end, which packs goodness all on its own. It works well as a read-aloud and will have more than a few readers wishing they could have Luigi as a pet, too. I enjoyed the originality of this one quite a bit, and with the touching character added to it, I can see this one becoming one of those reads, which often ends with an 'again'.

And here they are...

Michelle Knudsen is the New York Times best-selling author of Library Lion, illustrated by Kevin Hawkes; Argus, illustrated by Andréa Wesson; Big Mean Mike, illustrated by Scott Magoon; and Marilyn’s Monster, illustrated by Matt Phelan, as well as the Trelian middle-grade fantasy trilogy and the Evil Librarian YA horror-comedy trilogy. She lives in Brooklyn, New York, and is terrified of spiders.

Kevin Hawkes is the author and illustrator of The Wicked Big Toddlah and The Wicked Big Toddlah Goes to New York, and is the illustrator of many well-loved books for young readers including Imagine That:! How Dr. Seuss Wrote the Cat in the Hat, Library Lion, My Little Sister Ate One Hare, My Little Sister Hugged an Ape, And to Think That We Thought That We’d Never Be Friends, The Road to Oz, Velma Gratch, and The Way Cool Butterfly. He lives in Gorham, Maine.

Happy Book Birthday, Ellie's Spooky Surprise by Callie Barkley

It's time for another book birthday! Today's read is the 26th in a series. 26th. Isn't that a lot? So, I'm assuming that this one isn't one to ignore (or else it wouldn't be at 26). This series is for chapter book readers and circles around a group of friends, who takes care of animals. I know so many young readers of this age group who adore cute animals. So, I have no doubt this is a happily-seen theme. You'll notice on the cover that this one also heads in the Halloween direction, which might seem a bit early but it never hurts to be prepared.

 

ELLIE'S SPOOKY SURPRISE

The Critter Club, #26

by Callie Barkley

Illustrated by Tracy Bishop

Little Simon

Chapter Book Contemporary

128 pages

ages 6 to 10

In the twenty-sixth book of the Critter Club series, Ellie and the girls plan a costume party for pets. Let the cute parade begin!

Ellie’s favorite holiday is coming Halloween! She and friends plan to decorate the Critter Club barn and throw a costume party for neighborhood pets! But they soon realize they’re not alone in the barn. A bat friend has somehow gotten trapped inside. Ellie isn’t sure how to care for a wild animal. With the help of a special vet, can she return the bat to its home in time for the Halloween bash?

With easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost every page, The Critter Club chapter books are perfect for beginning readers.

GOODREADS    /    B&N     /     AMAZON 

MY TIDBITS

Friendships and animal fun mix with a creature fitting to Halloween and will have the first thoughts of organizing a party, too.

This is the first time I've met this fun bunch, and even though this book comes very late in the series, it wasn't a problem to sink right in. It definitely can be read on its own. This book also nods towards Halloween and that without spooks and chills, making it very fitting for the age group and even more so for sensitive readers. While Ellie takes center stage in this read, the friend group and their relationships shines. It's goodness pure as they work together, find ways to come to agreements, and remember to think of others along the way. In other words, there are wholesome aspects, which mix right into the cheerful atmosphere.

To match the Halloween season, this installment takes a look at a bat, who has found its way into the Club's barn. Information about bats, what to watch for, and their habits are presented and explained, but never in a boring way. The facts weave into the story smoothly, letting the rest of the story (organizing a Halloween party) flow right along with it. 

The text is very age appropriate and great for those readers, who are pretty good with their words. The large font and spacing makes reading easy. Illustrations offer help with the scenes and let the characters shine. 

It's an entertaining bunch, which will have readers wishing they could have their own Critter Club, and at the very least, get ready for their own part. 

Happy Book Birthday, The Magma Cup by Eric Gapstur

It's time for another book birthday (well, the birthday of a new edition, at least). It's been a couple of weeks, since I had one which makes celebrating that much more fun. This is the 2nd book in a graphic novel series, and I have not read the first one. I'm expecting superhero goodness, tons of action, a little quirky fun, and, hopefully, none of that to the point where it gets ridiculous. But I'm going into this one having little doubt that it will be a lot of fun.

THE MAGMA CUP

Sort of Super, Vol. 2

by Eric Gapstur

Aladdin

Middle Grade Superhero Fantasy / Graphic Novel

288 pages

ages 8 to 12

Awkward by Svetlana Chmakova meets the HiLo series in this second book in the action-packed Sort of Super middle grade graphic novel series that follows superhero Wyatt and his sidekicks on an undercover mission to summer camp!

Wyatt and his sister Adeline are determined to investigate an extinct volcano hundreds of miles from home that Adeline believes to be related to their mother’s mysterious disappearance. At first it seems like an impossible mission until they realize there’s a summer camp conveniently situated near the base of the volcano. So it’s off to summer camp for Wyatt, Adeline, and their buddies Beto and Nara. But when they get there, they find it impossible to sneak away from the heavily chaperoned grounds.

Opportunity presents itself by way of the Magma Cup, the camp’s tournament-style series of mental and physical competitions where the finalists compete in an overnight—and less chaperoned—scavenger hunt on the volcano itself!

Unable to use their abilities, can the super-team win their bracket and ditch their counselors to explore the secrets of the volcano and the connection it has to Wyatt and Adelina’s missing mother…or will the whole thing blow up in their faces?

GOODREADS    /    AMAZON    /    KOBO     /     B&N

MY TIDBITS

Figuring out superhero-ness, dealing with summer camp competitions, and hoping to find a trace of a disappeared mother make this a read with non-stop action, a little chaos, and friendships to embrace.

Wyatt's kind of figuring out this superhero thing, and with his sister, Adeline, at his side, it seems to be going a little more smoothly. Sort of. When Adeline's research finally reveals the first sign of a possible clue in their mother's disappearance four years ago, he's ready to do anything he can so the two of them can find her again. And that means Summer Camp next to a volcano. With their two best friends at their sides, the foursome head off, hoping to find even a hint which might help them. Instead, they find a camp, which is centered around competitions, and the winning team gets a chance to tour the volcano. The competition is fiercer than fierce, and Wyatt and his sister know they can't use their powers to win...but that seems impossible.

This is a high-quality graphic novel with colorful illustrations, tons of action, and characters to root for. Wyatt might have all sorts of amazing powers, but he's just awkward and goofy enough to keep him down-to-earth. While tempted, he doesn't constantly grab back on his powers and tries to handle as much as he can (even when the going gets tough) as a regular kid...who just happens to wear his superhero suit under his clothes just in case. His sister has her own powers, but again, keeps these under wraps as much as possible and uses her head to get through difficulties first. It makes for a pair, which is easy to identify with, carries a touch of silliness, and has the fun side of bursting free and doing the impossible when really, really necessary. And this doesn't always work out quite as planned.

The graphics are well done, carry darkness and light, and bring the dangerous as well as the humorous situations across nicely. The text is easy to read in each scene and balances nicely with the imagery. A sense of urgency plays subtly along with the more distinct-lined style to swing more in a classic superhero direction.

It's a quick and grabbing read from start to finish. This can be read alone but, of course, is better read as a series.

And here he is...

Eric Gapstur is an author, illustrator, and cartoonist living in eastern Iowa with his wife and two sons. His work can be seen in DC and Image comics, among others. Sort of Super is his middle grade graphic novel series.