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candycain's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
reader44ever's review
4.0
I've updated my review to include my initial thoughts and my "I'm done with the book now" thoughts... :)
I liked what I read on my first night of reading this book, but I somehow expected more. The comics are from a variety of styles, some more enjoyable than others. Some of the comics are very basic: just drawn to match the rhymes; while others are more fleshed out: these cartoonists really put their imaginations to use. I'm enjoying these the most, as with the Queen of Hearts by [a:Eleanor Davis|981303|Eleanor Davis|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1309671535p2/981303.jpg]: I enjoyed reading first the rhyme and then the artist's suggested dialogue inserted into the comic. :)
Like the Queen of Hearts, I'm enjoying the ones that are not just drawn to illustrate the words, with only the rhyme typed in to accompany the illustrations. And yet...The Owl and the Pussy-Cat by [a:Craig Thompson|14151|Craig Thompson|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1312311495p2/14151.jpg] was drawn to illustrate the words, with no additional words/dialogue inserted, but I still really enjoyed this one because the illustrations were such that they spoke volumes all on their own. :)
Others of the ones I really liked that first night include The Donkey by [a:Patrick McDonnell|53088|Patrick McDonnell|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1231095013p2/53088.jpg] (simple but fun); Hickory, Dickory, Dock by [a:Stephanie Yue|3160010|Stephanie Yue|https://www.goodreads.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-d9f6a4a5badfda0f69e70cc94d962125.png] (really liked this comic); There Was an Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe by [a:Lucy Knisley|731384|Lucy Knisley|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1361051635p2/731384.jpg] (enjoyed the idea of the Old Woman being a hip babysitter); Jack Be Nimble by [a:James Sturm|186652|James Sturm|https://www.goodreads.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-d9f6a4a5badfda0f69e70cc94d962125.png] (super cute illustrations); There Was a Crooked Man by [a:Roz Chast|56952|Roz Chast|https://www.goodreads.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-d9f6a4a5badfda0f69e70cc94d962125.png] (fun illustrations!); and Georgie Porgie by [a:Raina Telgemeier|21618|Raina Telgemeier|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1200153437p2/21618.jpg] (funny!).
Another especial favorite from my first night's reading was This Little Piggy by [a:Cyril Pedrosa|208436|Cyril Pedrosa|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1329178258p2/208436.jpg]: his vignettes to illustrate the piggy's actions were hilarious! The last panel is definitely smile-inducing. :)
My second night opened with Croak Said the Toad by [a:Laura Park|4486629|Laura Park|https://www.goodreads.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-d9f6a4a5badfda0f69e70cc94d962125.png]. I don't understand the last two panels of this one. Well, I do (they're drawn straight-forward enough) but I don't see how they follow the rhyme and continue the story.
Others I enjoyed this second night include Hot Cross Buns by [a:Andrew Arnold|2538102|Andrew Arnold|https://www.goodreads.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-d9f6a4a5badfda0f69e70cc94d962125.png] (loved this comic!); Old Mother Hubbard by [a:J. Crane|6221976|J. Crane|https://www.goodreads.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-d9f6a4a5badfda0f69e70cc94d962125.png] (these panels made me smile, though the last one inspired a bittersweet smile); One, Two, Buckle My Shoe by [a:Dave Roman|266715|Dave Roman|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1200331121p2/266715.jpg] (I loved the clones!); Little Miss Muffet by [a:Mark Martin|121022|Mark Martin|https://www.goodreads.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-d9f6a4a5badfda0f69e70cc94d962125.png] (Much to my surprise, I wasn't freaked out by the spider that frightened Little Miss Muffet); There Was a Little Girl by [a:Vera Brosgol|568999|Vera Brosgol|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1378830721p2/568999.jpg] (This was a fun comic); Pat-a-Cake by [a:Gene Luen Yang|68959|Gene Luen Yang|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1265028960p2/68959.jpg] (loved the aliens!); and Hush, Little Baby by [a:Mo Oh|4739115|Mo Oh|https://www.goodreads.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-d9f6a4a5badfda0f69e70cc94d962125.png] (charming illustrations).
All in all, I really enjoyed a variety of styles that included the ones where the artists imagined the rhyme in somewhat basic ways (The Owl and the Pussy-Cat and Little Miss Muffet) and those where their imaginations took unusual turns (There Was an Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe and One, Two, Buckle My Shoe). For some of the good ones I've mentioned above, I was actually disappointed that the rhymes weren't longer so I could have seen more comic panels in the respective styles. :)
And lastly, there were other comics in this book that I really liked (or didn't like, as the case may be) that I haven't mentioned above. To include my thoughts on all 50 comics would make this review even longer than it already is, and I think it's already approaching too-long status. :)
I liked what I read on my first night of reading this book, but I somehow expected more. The comics are from a variety of styles, some more enjoyable than others. Some of the comics are very basic: just drawn to match the rhymes; while others are more fleshed out: these cartoonists really put their imaginations to use. I'm enjoying these the most, as with the Queen of Hearts by [a:Eleanor Davis|981303|Eleanor Davis|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1309671535p2/981303.jpg]: I enjoyed reading first the rhyme and then the artist's suggested dialogue inserted into the comic. :)
Like the Queen of Hearts, I'm enjoying the ones that are not just drawn to illustrate the words, with only the rhyme typed in to accompany the illustrations. And yet...The Owl and the Pussy-Cat by [a:Craig Thompson|14151|Craig Thompson|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1312311495p2/14151.jpg] was drawn to illustrate the words, with no additional words/dialogue inserted, but I still really enjoyed this one because the illustrations were such that they spoke volumes all on their own. :)
Others of the ones I really liked that first night include The Donkey by [a:Patrick McDonnell|53088|Patrick McDonnell|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1231095013p2/53088.jpg] (simple but fun); Hickory, Dickory, Dock by [a:Stephanie Yue|3160010|Stephanie Yue|https://www.goodreads.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-d9f6a4a5badfda0f69e70cc94d962125.png] (really liked this comic); There Was an Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe by [a:Lucy Knisley|731384|Lucy Knisley|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1361051635p2/731384.jpg] (enjoyed the idea of the Old Woman being a hip babysitter); Jack Be Nimble by [a:James Sturm|186652|James Sturm|https://www.goodreads.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-d9f6a4a5badfda0f69e70cc94d962125.png] (super cute illustrations); There Was a Crooked Man by [a:Roz Chast|56952|Roz Chast|https://www.goodreads.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-d9f6a4a5badfda0f69e70cc94d962125.png] (fun illustrations!); and Georgie Porgie by [a:Raina Telgemeier|21618|Raina Telgemeier|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1200153437p2/21618.jpg] (funny!).
Another especial favorite from my first night's reading was This Little Piggy by [a:Cyril Pedrosa|208436|Cyril Pedrosa|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1329178258p2/208436.jpg]: his vignettes to illustrate the piggy's actions were hilarious! The last panel is definitely smile-inducing. :)
My second night opened with Croak Said the Toad by [a:Laura Park|4486629|Laura Park|https://www.goodreads.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-d9f6a4a5badfda0f69e70cc94d962125.png]. I don't understand the last two panels of this one. Well, I do (they're drawn straight-forward enough) but I don't see how they follow the rhyme and continue the story.
Others I enjoyed this second night include Hot Cross Buns by [a:Andrew Arnold|2538102|Andrew Arnold|https://www.goodreads.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-d9f6a4a5badfda0f69e70cc94d962125.png] (loved this comic!); Old Mother Hubbard by [a:J. Crane|6221976|J. Crane|https://www.goodreads.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-d9f6a4a5badfda0f69e70cc94d962125.png] (these panels made me smile, though the last one inspired a bittersweet smile); One, Two, Buckle My Shoe by [a:Dave Roman|266715|Dave Roman|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1200331121p2/266715.jpg] (I loved the clones!); Little Miss Muffet by [a:Mark Martin|121022|Mark Martin|https://www.goodreads.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-d9f6a4a5badfda0f69e70cc94d962125.png] (Much to my surprise, I wasn't freaked out by the spider that frightened Little Miss Muffet); There Was a Little Girl by [a:Vera Brosgol|568999|Vera Brosgol|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1378830721p2/568999.jpg] (This was a fun comic); Pat-a-Cake by [a:Gene Luen Yang|68959|Gene Luen Yang|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1265028960p2/68959.jpg] (loved the aliens!); and Hush, Little Baby by [a:Mo Oh|4739115|Mo Oh|https://www.goodreads.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-d9f6a4a5badfda0f69e70cc94d962125.png] (charming illustrations).
All in all, I really enjoyed a variety of styles that included the ones where the artists imagined the rhyme in somewhat basic ways (The Owl and the Pussy-Cat and Little Miss Muffet) and those where their imaginations took unusual turns (There Was an Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe and One, Two, Buckle My Shoe). For some of the good ones I've mentioned above, I was actually disappointed that the rhymes weren't longer so I could have seen more comic panels in the respective styles. :)
And lastly, there were other comics in this book that I really liked (or didn't like, as the case may be) that I haven't mentioned above. To include my thoughts on all 50 comics would make this review even longer than it already is, and I think it's already approaching too-long status. :)
beecheralyson's review
4.0
Loved this collection of nursery rhymes with a twist by a who's who of graphic novelists. Loved this book.
mariab's review
4.0
This unique compilation includes all the nursery rhymes you might know and love from childhood (and maybe some you don't)...but presented in a completely different way. One, Two, Buckle My Shoe with clones? Card-playing barn animals in Little Boy Blue? A rock band "The Whips" as part of There Was An Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe?
The more than 50 illustrators who contributed to this collection vary widely in their styles, a testament to how far the graphic novel genre has come. This book is a good hook for reluctant readers who will relate to the well-known verses, but get amusement out of the new artistic liberties the illustrators have taken.
The more than 50 illustrators who contributed to this collection vary widely in their styles, a testament to how far the graphic novel genre has come. This book is a good hook for reluctant readers who will relate to the well-known verses, but get amusement out of the new artistic liberties the illustrators have taken.
leaflibrary's review
4.0
From the cover art and title, this book appears aimed at young children. Inside, however, the illustrations are intricate and the lyrical stories often dark and absurd. Diverse artwork highlight the odd tales we all grew up obliviously reciting. (How could a little woman live in a shoe? Why should Jack jump over a candlestick? Etc infinity!) Most of the endings are abrupt, and many bizarre, like when a random maid's nose is snatched off by a crow. Some artists work to subvert the dark subtext of their tales, like [a:Raina Telgemeier|21618|Raina Telgemeier|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1200153437p2/21618.jpg], who places Georgie Porgie in the context of a cupcake-hurling kids' party, or [a:Lucy Knisley|731384|Lucy Knisley|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1361051635p2/731384.jpg] who stretches a line past incredulity to avoid illustrating child abuse. Others embrace it. A particular favorite with the kids I read this to (ages six and nine) was an unusual rendition of Rub-a-Dub-Dub, which has the familiar butcher, baker, and candlestick-maker all jumping out of a rotten potato! I had never heard that version, but the kids quote it constantly now, and it's even spawned our own sprawling rendition, complete with rotten french fries. And that, like this book, is a testimony to the ever-evolving and yet timeless history of nursery rhymes.
blkmymorris's review
5.0
My niece and I read and loved this book. it's funny and the artist used old nursery rhymes and gave them a new take with illustrations. I also love that often the full rhyme is included. I now had "Pop Goes the Weasel" stuck in my head. "A penny for a spool of thread/ A penny for a needle./ That's the way the money goes/ Pop goes the weasel."
I'm going to buy a copy to share in case I have kids.
I'm going to buy a copy to share in case I have kids.
booksonhermind's review
3.0
Nursery rhymes are classic poetic stories that I have loved as a child and as an adult. They are just so recognizable and short where it's impossible not to know them. There were a couple of nursery rhymes in this graphic novel that I didn't recognize but enjoyed nonetheless. Some of the rhymes were just alright and the illustrations too while there were other that I adored the way the story was presented with the illustrations retelling classic nursery rhymes. Here are some of the nursery rhymes I really enjoyed:
Hickory Dickory Dock by Stephanie Yue
Probably the cutest little mouse has the job of hitting a clock at one. This was such a clever little remake and origin of why the mouse is climbing up the clock. He's got a job to do!
Little Miss Muffet by Mark Martin
The spider that sat beside Miss Muffet is smiling his nicest smile but he has terrifying teeth so Miss Muffet runs away. The spider is so cute and looks like the perfect little gentleman.
Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater by Eric Orchard
This rhyme was going south with me because Peter couldn't keep his wife so he just put her in a pumpkin shell but then he falls in love again I believe. He has some troubles with her too because she loves to read but he ends up learning to write and spell. Now he likes reading books with her and they lived happily ever after. Such a sweet ending.
There Was a Little Girl by Vera Brosgol
The funniest comic out there and it's by the girl who wrote and illustrated Anya's Ghost! The rhyme starts off so innocent and sweet but then when she gets hungry she gets horrid so you see her big and fat consuming a whole cake on her own at the end.
The Queen of Hearts Eleanor Davis
I feel like I may or may not have heard of this rhyme before but either way, it was light and fun and about strawberry tarts. I particularly like the color scheme to the illustrations. It feels very popeye to me for some reason too.
Hickory Dickory Dock by Stephanie Yue
Probably the cutest little mouse has the job of hitting a clock at one. This was such a clever little remake and origin of why the mouse is climbing up the clock. He's got a job to do!
Little Miss Muffet by Mark Martin
The spider that sat beside Miss Muffet is smiling his nicest smile but he has terrifying teeth so Miss Muffet runs away. The spider is so cute and looks like the perfect little gentleman.
Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater by Eric Orchard
This rhyme was going south with me because Peter couldn't keep his wife so he just put her in a pumpkin shell but then he falls in love again I believe. He has some troubles with her too because she loves to read but he ends up learning to write and spell. Now he likes reading books with her and they lived happily ever after. Such a sweet ending.
There Was a Little Girl by Vera Brosgol
The funniest comic out there and it's by the girl who wrote and illustrated Anya's Ghost! The rhyme starts off so innocent and sweet but then when she gets hungry she gets horrid so you see her big and fat consuming a whole cake on her own at the end.
The Queen of Hearts Eleanor Davis
I feel like I may or may not have heard of this rhyme before but either way, it was light and fun and about strawberry tarts. I particularly like the color scheme to the illustrations. It feels very popeye to me for some reason too.
alexctelander's review
5.0
Everyone knows what a nursery rhyme is; many of us can still remember a number of them, or at least what they were about; and still a few more of us can recall certain nursery rhymes word for word; but ask any of us what they mean or how they got made up, and you’ll be greeted with a look of dumbfoundedness. What exactly is the deal with an egg falling off the wall, or two kids falling down a hill, or even a cow jumping over a moon?
In Nursery Rhyme Comics, the artists explore these familiar nursery rhymes with detailed illustrations, exploring the nuances and possible meanings behind various nursery rhymes. The book features great original and entertaining illustrations from many known comics’ artists and cartoonists, including Craig Thompson, Scott Campbell, Mike Mignola, Kate Beaton and many, many more. 50 well-known nursery rhymes are explored and elucidated upon by the skillful hands of 50 cartoonists, revealing these strange short stories to be the bizarre, confusing, and yet entertaining and unforgettable tales that they are.
You may not find all the answers in Nursery Rhyme Comics, or the reasoning behind each of these nursery rhymes, but you will certainly be laughing out loud and enjoying yourself as you read them, and perhaps showing them to your kids, if you have any!
Originally written on November 20, 2011 ©Alex C. Telander.
For more reviews and exclusive interviews, go to the BookBanter site.
In Nursery Rhyme Comics, the artists explore these familiar nursery rhymes with detailed illustrations, exploring the nuances and possible meanings behind various nursery rhymes. The book features great original and entertaining illustrations from many known comics’ artists and cartoonists, including Craig Thompson, Scott Campbell, Mike Mignola, Kate Beaton and many, many more. 50 well-known nursery rhymes are explored and elucidated upon by the skillful hands of 50 cartoonists, revealing these strange short stories to be the bizarre, confusing, and yet entertaining and unforgettable tales that they are.
You may not find all the answers in Nursery Rhyme Comics, or the reasoning behind each of these nursery rhymes, but you will certainly be laughing out loud and enjoying yourself as you read them, and perhaps showing them to your kids, if you have any!
Originally written on November 20, 2011 ©Alex C. Telander.
For more reviews and exclusive interviews, go to the BookBanter site.
christiana's review
4.0
This was cute! The illustrations/graphics were amazing and dine by some of the best artists in the business right now. I think even middle graders could get into this (there's some little twists on old favorites that will give older kids a laugh).