Showing posts with label life changes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label life changes. Show all posts

Book Review: Martian Ghost Centaur by Mat Heagerty, Steph Mided


Martian Ghost Centaur, 
written by Mat Heagerty and illustrated by Steph Mided, is a young adult graphic novel. The town of Southborough used to be a major tourism destination, drawing folks from all over in the hopes they’d spot the famous Sasquatch, reportedly seen in the town many times over the years. But it’s been ages since anyone’s spotted the ‘squatch, and tourism is starting to dry up. A tech company called Start-up.com (a start-up that helps people start their own start-ups) decides to begin buying up places all over town in order to build their techie headquarters, driving out all the local townspeople. Luckily, Southborough is also home to Louie O’Connor, firm believer in the Sasquatch’s existence and all-around, mega ’squatch fan. When Louie’s dads’ restaurant, Squatch Burger, starts to go under and fall prey to the techie start-up, Louie and her best friend Felix decide they’ll do whatever it takes to save the town from losing all the people and places that make it special. In hopes that convincing people the Sasquatch is real and to drive back tourism, Louie and Felix plan an elaborate hoax in hopes of saving the town from the dot-com takeover. But when Felix starts talking about leaving their hometown for college in LA, Louie will have to face some tough questions about herself, her future career, and her place in her beloved hometown.

Martian Ghost Centaur is not quite what I went in expecting, but it was exactly what it needed to be. Louie is a teenager with a love of a good story, and her hometown. She wants the stories she has believed in since childhood, and the town she loves, to survive the incoming technology and has plenty of plans to do so. I loved her determination and willingness to do anything for the people and places that she loves. She also has to deal with the upcoming transition to adulthood- and all that goes with it. None of the things she faces are easy, but when coming at her all at once it is no wonder she becomes overwhelmed. I thought the relationships ad reactions were realistic and well written, making the more unrealistic aspects of the story seem that much more likely. I loved the art style and think it lent itself perfectly to the quirkiness of the characters and the town. I liked some of the details that were added to the story via the artwork, and thought that moods, expression, and motion were very well conveyed. I can think of one or two little things I would have liked to see a little different, but they are more things that would have just made me smile rather than anything that would be important to the story. I enjoyed this read, and think that this book can be enjoyed by a much bigger reading market than young adults, as those both older and younger that the target audience can get enjoyment and more from the read.

Martian Ghost Centaur is a graphic novel that is an enjoyable read, with a nice balance of feels and fun.


Early Book Review: Wade’s Wiggly Antlers by Louise Bradford, Christine Battuz


Wade’s Wiggly Antlers is a picture book written by Louise Bradford and illustrated by Christine Battuz. It is currently scheduled for release on May 2 2017. One winter morning while playing with his animal friends, a young moose named Wade notices his antlers are wiggly, and he runs home to tell his mother. Remember when we talked about your antlers falling off? she says. Don't worry. New ones will grow in the summer. But Wade is worried. He used his antlers for so many fun things, such as paddles for Ping-Pong, perches for giving friends rides and hooks for flying kites. He didn't want to lose them! Could Wade find a way to stop his antlers from falling off? Or, if he just lets them go, would he find new ways to play?

Wade’s Wiggly Antlers is a charming picture book that offers reassurance to children facing the loss of teeth or other changes, while also teaching a bit about nature. Wade is a not quite sure he wants his antlers off, and then once they are gone he is less sure how to do all the things he normally does. Like most kids, Wade is resilient and by the time the antlers start growing back he is so used to not having them that it was no longer an issue. I like that the process of losing and regrowing the antlers is shown, and it so clearly parallels what children go through with teeth without being completely obvious to younger readers. I think this would be a great conversation starter with young kids facing a change or nearing the loss of baby teeth. However, I found the book to be a cute, fun read even without needing the comfort and lesson within.