DINOSAURS Vol.1: IN THE BEGINNING…
Writer: Arnaud Plumeri
Aritst: Bloz
$10.99, Papercutz, 64 pgs.
ISBN 978-1597074902
Most graphic novels for kids are, to be blunt, junk. Not all, mind you,
but many—far too many—are poorly drawn, poorly written, and rushed to market by
publishers who know plenty about getting their books into libraries, but next
to nothing about making comics worth reading. Thankfully, Papercutz is a
company committed to more than profiting off the kids’ graphic novel market;
they want to provide kids with good comics. Editor-in-chief Jim Salicrup is a
veteran of the comic book industry. He cares about the medium, and that caring
is reflected in the product.
Like THE SMURFS ANTHOLOGY
editions Papercutz publishes (one of which is reviewed here), the DINOSAURS
series is an import. Plumeri and Bloz hail from France, but their material
transcends national and cultural boundaries. We’re talking about dinosaurs,
here. Dinosaurs. This stuff circs
itself! This book is full of interesting dino-facts based on the latest
dinosaur research, but those facts are delivered by talking cartoon dinosaurs
fond of goofy wordplay and groan-worthy jokes. The art in this collection of
one- and two-page strips is colorful and vibrant, executed in a lively animated
style sure to appeal to readers young and young-at-heart.
TIPS FOR LIBRARIANS: There’s already a second volume in this series,
with a third on the way. They’re worth your collection development dollar. Kids
will read them. This book also contains a preview of GERONIMO STILTON, another
Papercutz series for kids. Visit the company’s website at www.papercutz.com for
more information. And no, before you ask, I’ve never worked for this company…I
simply respect what they do.
READERS’ ADVISORY NOTES: Kids, dino-fans of all ages, and aficionados
of Disney-esque cartooning will get a kick out of this book. The material is
based on scientific fact, so if you’ve got young patrons whose parents are
skeptical of the educational value of comics, this book might be just the
ticket.
CONTENT ADVISORY: DINOSAURS isn’t without a measure violence and
bloodshed. It’s about dinosaurs, after all. The blood and gore are played for
laughs, though, and somehow it works: even younger readers aren’t likely to
find the material frightening or gross. There are also some poop jokes, since
much of what we know about certain species of dinosaur comes from studying
their droppings. Ah, science!
Review©2014, C. Michael Hall.
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