Jinx and the Doom Fight Crime!

November 27, 2017
They defend the innocent—from a washing machine turned monster. They protect the planet—from a Godzilla-like creature menacing a toy city. And then they stop to have lunch. It’s all in a day’s work for two siblings in this imagination-fueled superhero story. Mantchev (Someday, Narwhal) even gives her heroes an origin story: Jinx and her brother, the Doom, “used to fight each other. But then they realized they could use their powers for good and not evil.” Cotterill (No More Bows!) embraces a comic-book aesthetic in hip dioramas featuring paper-cut characters and dramatic shadowing; during a mission from headquarters (aka Mom) to wash the pet dog, the canine casts a fierce shark shadow as it runs away from the tub. Cotterill’s vivid images capture the way pretend play can transform even the most mundane activities into adventures waiting to happen. And with superheroes everywhere in pop culture, Mantchev offers a fun introduction to what fighting crime is all about for kids who aren’t ready for the latest blockbuster action film. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Laura Rennert, Andrea Brown Literary. Illustrator’s agent: Kirsten Hall, Catbird Agency.

November 15, 2017
Imagination reigns supreme as siblings Jinx and the Doom take on chores and play with the superhero power to make even the mundane magical. Bespectacled Jinx and her little brother, the Doom, both blond, white children, fight crime. Former adversaries but now allies, the two "use their powers for GOOD" instead of on each other. No shadow monster stands a chance when the caped crusaders are near; and together--by scooter, trike, or cardboard box--they persevere to tackle any mission from headquarters (mom) as a team. Hand-drawn paper cutouts, with digital coloring and collage, are playful and appealing. Done in a warm palette, the compositions contain movement and spontaneity. The artist's simplified characters are expressive and charming, and the use of patterns and half tones creates texture while recalling newsprint comics. But Cotterill's talent is most fully realized toward the end, as the children slumber, hero masks still on, dreaming of the next day's adventures. Here, in full, three-dimensional glory, her process of discovery finds resolution, the artwork timeless in its appeal. With similar pacing and themes to Jacky Davis and David Soman's Ladybug Girl books, this tale offers the refreshing twist of sibling friendship that caregivers will applaud. Jinx and the Doom will captivate readers with their irresistible fun. (Picture book. 4-8)

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December 1, 2017

PreS-Gr 1-Jinx and her little brother, the Doom, let their imaginations run wild as they unite to fight crime and injustice. The siblings used to fight each other, but now they have learned that cooperation makes imaginative play and saving the world a lot more fun. A stuffed animal's shadow, block towers, and chalk drawings become evil to be defeated. A dirty dog in need of a bath becomes a mission to be conquered. Jinx is a bespectacled, pigtailed girl in a dress, boots, and a cape. The Doom sports a mop of blond hair and a black mask with his cape. The expressive and engaging illustrations are a combination of drawing, cut paper, and digital coloring. VERDICT A high-energy read-aloud for any young fans of superheroes, sibling dynamics, and a fun take on cooperation.-Kelly Roth, Bartow County Public Library, Cartersville, GA

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 15, 2017
Preschool-G The majority of picture books featuring siblings focus on sometimes tumultuous family dynamics, but these pint-sized crime fighters, Jinx and her younger brother, the Doom, are in perfect sync. The narrative text gives play-by-play descriptions of the action as if they were actual crime fighters ( They defend the innocent! Sometimes missions come from headquarters ), with a few inserts to cover their routine daily activities. The illustrations show the duo using their vivid imaginations to create scenarios in which caped crime fighters are needed, with their toys, roly-poly red dog, and mother as part of the adventure. The innocent they defend? A stuffed animal about to be placed in the washer. And it's Mom who gives them the mission to bathe their unwilling dog. The illustrations of the gleeful children dashing about are appropriately childlike, and are balanced by the sophisticated, slightly surreal quality created by the artist's technique of photographing the hand-drawn and cut-paper images. Both capture the tone of the text. This duo is a handful, but their camaraderie saves the day.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)