The Graphic Canon of Children's Literature

Starred review from October 20, 2014
Having been sparsely represented in the first three Graphic Canon volumes, children's literature is featured exclusively in this anthology of more than 40 fables, fairy tales, and classic stories adapted into comics. Like its predecessors, the book allows readers to see timeworn stories in a new light, whether it's Lance Tooks's trio of Aesop's fables, set in the worlds of tabloid celebrities and love-struck gangsters; Sandy Jimenez's take on 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, featuring David Bowie and Freddie Mercury; or R. Sikoryak's Adventures of Tom Sawyer, which spoofs Bil Keane's "Family Circus." Nearly all the contributors chose to adapt early, gnarlier versions of stories that were sanitized over the years, most notably by Disney for its animated films; through their efforts, the stories reclaim some of their original eccentricities and philosophical merit. These dazzlingly varied renderings run the gamut from haunting to comical while offering visceral reminders that children's stories are often densely layered, infinitely transposable, and peddle in imagery both macabre and whimsical. It is the unfettered imagination of these stories that make them not only wildly entertaining, but also vessels of forgotten truths. All ages.

Starred review from January 1, 2015

Gr 10 Up-The fourth volume of the critically acclaimed "Graphic Canon" series is a high quality, visually stunning collection of more than 40 adapted works that cover a wide range of children's literature illustrated by 21st century artists. Characters such as Alice, Dorothy, Goldilocks, and Harry Potter have a very definite look in our mind thanks to the media. This work transforms familiar and unfamiliar stories by putting them in comic form and reimagining the characters and settings: a rude and grotesquely drawn Alice, the city mouse as a man involved with the Russian mafia, or a young Chinese girl who sneaks into the home of three panda bears. The page layout, medium, and overall style of the art varies greatly, allowing each individual story to make an impression on readers. The versions of the folk- and fairy tales included are the ones that have been watered down for children; additionally, the lengthy size of the book and the analysis at the beginning of each chapter will make it unappealing to casual, child readers. However, this work will make a worthy addition to library collections and will be most appreciated by older teens and adults interested in art, graphic novels as a format, and the deconstruction of stories. Highly recommended.-Marissa Lieberman, East Orange Public Library, NJ

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2015
Kick's critically acclaimed three-volume collection of graphic adaptations of world literature wrapped up in 2013, and anyone who thought he was done will be in for a sweet surprise with this new volume focused entirely on children's literature. Beginning with Aesop and ending with Harry Potter, Kick covers a broad range of stories in an even wider array of styles. R. Sikoryak's manic Family Circusstyle adaptation of Tom Sawyer manages to include almost all the pivotal plot points in only four tidy panels. Kate Glasheen's version of The Velveteen Rabbit, meanwhile, uses soft watercolors and dynamic panel layouts that silently and touchingly relate the classic tale. As with any anthology, there are a few misses, and many of the wordless selections would be difficult to understand without prior knowledge of the story. That said, each selection offers a rich example of the many ways visual storytelling has power. Though it's geared toward an adult audience, most of whom will already be familiar with the original tales, many of the stories nonetheless have kid appeal.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)