Books of the Week: Joey Fly, Private Eye; Sardine in Outer Space; Patrick (Toon Books); Wonder Woman

Here are our favorites from last week:

Tintin, age 8

Joey Fly, Private Eye in Big Hairy Drama
Author/illustrator: Aaron Reynolds/Neil Numberman
Publisher: Henry Holt & Co. (November 2010)
Source: Public library

In this second Joey Fly graphic novel, Joey and his assistant, Sammy, are called upon to solve the disappearance of Greta Divawing, the star of the Scarab Beetle Theater. Joey rounds up the cast and crew of the theater to find out what happened to the missing butterfly, but he has only a few days until Greta's next performance.

Tintin's note: I liked when the Painted Lady was missing and Mr. Fly had to figure out the problem.

Sardine in Outer Space 6
Author/illustrator: Emmanuel Guibert
Publisher: First Second (October 2008)
Source: Public library

One of Tintin's favorite graphic novel series, Sardine features colorful panels about a space pirate and her friends. The sixth Sardine includes nine stories, covering a rude cell phone, flying wooden horses, edible moons, an imprisoned Cupid, a depressed planet, and more. And of course, the evil Doc Krok and Supermuscleman make several appearances throughout the book.

Tintin's note: My favorite is the story about how Uncle Yellow Shoulder lost his eye. He has a yellow shoulder because his parrot peed on him.


Johnny Boo, age 5

Patrick in A Teddy Bear's Picnic and Other Stories
Author/illustrator: Geoffrey Hayes
Publisher: Toon Books (April 2011)
Source: Public library

Patrick the teddy bear goes on a picnic with his mother, tries to get out of napping, and finally overcomes his fear of Big Bear the bully. This Toon Book is yet another great graphic novel for beginning readers.

Johnny Boo's note: I like Big Bear because he's furry.

Wonder Woman: The Story of the Amazon Princess
Author/illustrator: Ralph Cosentino

Publisher: Viking Juvenile (April 2011)

Source: Public library

This is the story of how Wonder Woman came to be, told in picture book format but with the feel of a comic book. There's a bit of mythology, a few villains, and lots of color. We had to read this one several times in a row, several days in a row, and are looking forward to checking out Cosentino's Superman and Batman books as well.

Johnny Boo's note: I like her black hair.