Lint Boy

May 1, 2017
In her first graphic novel, Leijten (Bella & Bean) introduces a wisp of a hero born in a clothes dryer when “three buttons, a pluck of wool, and a ball of lint bumped into each other so hard that they didn’t come apart.” (“Where the friggles am I?” the doll wonders in a voice that demands to be read as squeakily as possible.) A friend, Lint Bear, soon follows, but their happy idyll is interrupted when the bear is captured by the dryer’s evil owner, Mrs. PinchnSqueeze, who has spent her life trying to prove that dolls are alive. Framing many panels with gorgeous, swooping art nouveau borders, Leijten creates a vintage atmosphere that underscores the evergreen appeal of dolls. Her quirky story has many charms, particularly in the artwork, but although there are hints of depth to Mrs. PinchnSqueeze’s character—it’s clear that, underneath the malevolence, she loves dolls—nothing comes of them. Likewise, it seems odd that the various dolls would choose a lifetime of imprisonment and abuse over simply revealing to their captor that, yes, they are indeed alive. Ages 7–10. Agent: Elizabeth Harding, Curtis Brown.

April 1, 2017
Dolls, socks, and dryer lint all come alive in Leijten's disorienting graphic novel. When a few buttons, a bit of wool, some yarn, and a ball of lint come together in the back of a cozy dryer, Lint Boy and his brother, Lint Bear, are born. The pair lives happily among several lonely socks missing their mates until a large pair of wrinkly hands reaches into the dryer and snatches Lint Bear away along with a pile of clothes. The hands belong to a mean old woman named Mrs. PinchnSqueeze, who was formerly a cruel, young white girl named Tortura. Decades ago, Tortura delighted in stealing and ruining the dolls of other children, until one doll managed to escape the girl's clutches, igniting her suspicions that the dolls she has snatched are actually alive. Now, as an old woman still infuriated by the one doll that escaped, she means to carry out a destructive vendetta against them all. With some heartfelt motivational speeches, Lint Boy stages a daring revolt with the other captured dolls to rescue his brother and rid everyone of Mrs. PinchnSqueeze for good. Although this enthrallingly dark adventure is enlivened by narration just this side of the fourth wall, disorganization of both story events and page layout undermines the narrative intrigue and momentum. And unfortunately, the lack of experience of those readers at which this book is aimed--those easing into chapter books or just starting with graphic novels--makes them most susceptible to being disoriented by this complex tale. Provided they're able to follow it, readers will have a difficult time putting it down. (Fantasy. 7-11)

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May 1, 2017

Gr 4-6-Lint Boy and Lint Bear are dolls made of odds and ends collected together in a clothes dryer. They live happily in their comfy home until a doll-hating old lady kidnaps Lint Bear. Lint Boy now has to rescue his friend and all the other dolls who have been imprisoned by the evil old woman. In the style of a dark fairy tale, the artwork is charming-soft watercolors, done in a muted palette, enhance the cute but creepy feel of the book. The dolls, by their very nature, are somewhat wooden in appearance and attitude, but they are lovely to look at, and the fiery villain and her nasty dog more than make up for any lack of emotion in the toys. A major drawback, however, is the tangle of the story time lines-chapters jump around from present to past, making the panel flow confusing. This title is meant to be an amusing modern fable of the importance of champions-no matter their size-and the power of teamwork. It certainly has all the required elements to captivate its target audience, but only if young readers are able to unravel the complexities of the plot. VERDICT For more sophisticated graphic novel readers.-Kelley Gile, Cheshire Public Library, CT

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2017
Grades 2-5 What do you get when you cross five buttons and a pluck of wool with lotsand lotsof lint? Two button-eyed brothers, of course! Dwelling in the back of an old dryer, Lint Boy and Lint Bear are inseparable. But when the wrinkled hand of notorious toy torturer Mrs. PinchnSqueeze snatches Lint Bear from safety, Lint Boy must brave the unknown to stage a daring rescue. Though Leijten's (Hugging Hour! 2009) short sentences and snippets of fast-paced dialogue are sure to seize the attention of early readers, the story's eccentric ambiance and smattering of dark asides should enchant older crowds, too. Similarly, Leijten's eerie yet elegant illustrations, from her band of bedraggled dolls to the cages that hold them, straddle the line between childlike wonder and downright dread. All the while, vintage white pages, ornately framed panels, and a glowing blend of watercolors lend this offbeat adventure the cozy familiarity of a favorite fairy tale. A heartwarming take on teamwork that'll have those who are not easily frightened searching their lint traps for more magic.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)