Graphic Novels ~ Middle Grade
Astrosaurs. Mission to Infinity
Created by Steve Cole, Tobey Cole & Alex Lopez
Published by Piccadilly Press
Astrosaurs fans, the gang are back and now they are gracing our shelves in graphic novel format! Where the books were fully illustrated, in black and white, now we get to see these galactic giants in all their glory, in full colour! Alex Lopez has done the illustrations, Tobey Cole, the authors son, has scripted Steve Cole’s original stories for this new series.
Three missions feature in this first book, each one finds our fearless friends racing to save the galaxy, again and again! Teggs and his crew are ready for any challenges that are going to come their way which is fortunate as they may have to put their dung rockets to the test to save some dinosaurs! There are Cunning Raptors, determined to disrupt the Great Dinosaur Games; Evil Villains who hope to steal the very last Plateosaurus egg; Vast, Murky Depths to explore on a distant ocean planet. Things might not go according to plan very often but it's always fun!
Betty and the Yeti. Friends at First Fart
Created by High Raine
Published by Farshore
My young reader loved these adventures. She particularly liked the feeling that she could feel accomplished, reading short stories throughout the whole book, spotting the additional action in the illustrations and enjoying the changing seasons. That last is indicated by the change in colour on the edges of the pages and spine. It’s all quite brilliant!
Betty is part of the Beano universe and as such she guarantees mischief and mayhem at every turn! It starts well, after all she shouldn’t, but she does, have a yeti living in her home. Of course, the groan-ups don’t know and what they don’t know won’t hurt them! Well, it shouldn’t but when the yeti manages to bash the house and smash the garden, even crash their bank accounts, they might start to get suspicious and Betty might have some explaining to do, soon! I think it best that you try and keep the giggles to a minimum so those groan-ups don’t get to hear about Betty and her secret Yeti.
Boss of the Underworld.
Shirley vs the Green Menace
Created by Tor Freeman
Published by Hachette Children’s Books
When you think of the underworld, if you know your Greek mythology you most likely think of Hades and his three-headed dog, Cerberus. Tor Freeman, creator of Boss of the Underworld, has another suggestion, a new person for the role, a child. Yes, that is all true and you have the chance to learn more.
Shirley is the boss of the underworld. She is also a kid. The story of how the happened is kind of weird – her words – but that is probably no surprise and honestly, makes for the best kind of stories! With her new friend George, Shirley is going to take us on an adventure into and through the underworld. There are some scary foes (enemies), there is a bog of intense emotions (be careful of this one), and there are some dark sewers. They have to brave all of that so they can find the Green Menace, and then afterwards their way back out. Clever, silly and simply lots of fun.
Cosmo Park
Created by Madeleine Finlay & Tom Dearie
Published by Flying Eye Books
Modern astronomy is the backdrop to this fun, engaging and incredibly accessible graphic novel. If you have even a passing interest in space you will love this book. Some of the key aspects of cosmology are shared in an accessible, child-reader-friendly manner alongside a thrilling adventure involving saving the universe! Get ready for a brilliant ride.
It’s open day for the Universal Nature Reserve. This is a place of wonders and scientific adventure rolled into one and the open day is a chance to view some of their completely safe, they promise, exhibits. Feed a baby star in the nursery or take a ride on the space-time river, looking out for black holes! Kara and her cat Sandro are at the park for a fun day out but they are about to be drawn into a nefarious plot against the universe. They need to learn quickly how to hover-buggy around the Milky Way and not get caught in a meteorite storm whilst saving the day and making it home in time! A brilliant concept.
Dadbot
Created by Jack Noel
Published by Piccadilly Press
Are you ready to meet the world’s most unusual parent? Did you know you could get your parents upgraded? Well, Dadbot is about to show you how, make sure to pay close attention, in between all the laughter. And afterwards, make sure to show your parents lots of love for they might be lucky enough to become just like Dadbot too. What does that mean? Read on.
Josh and Daisy are at the car boot sale when they spot a broken-down, very old-looking robot. They decide to buy it even if they don’t think it is up to much. Little do they know. Dadbot is no ordinary robot, when a lightning storm strikes he comes to life and suddenly the summer holidays have gone from long and boring to dynamite thrilling. There is a problem though. The evil Doctor Egg has seen Dadbot and wants to steal him, to use his skills. Josh and Daisy are going to have to put a stop to these plans before it’s too late…
Happy Hills
Created by Sophy Henn
Published by Simon & Schuster Children’s Books
Can you imagine evil, dangerous kittens? It’s difficult isn’t it? After all this is kittens, they have to be one of the cutest creatures you can come across. Somehow though Sophy Henn has managed to not only imagine but also create danger kittens, giant ones who look pretty evil if the big purple and blue ones on the covers of this pair of books are anything to go by!
Happy Hills is a very special place, full of ups and downs (you will soon see this is just the start of a pun filled, laugh-out-loud, giggle inducing series of madcap stories.) It has its own song and a pair of flowers are our guides. Join a lost unicorn and the residents of Happy Hills as they battle imaginary fiends, cross-making trousers and giant danger kittens then, if you feel strong you can go back again. The second time you’ll find the villainous Knick Knacks who is planning to swipe, sneak and snatch a whole collection of friends. The worst part – it doesn’t matter if they want to be his friends or not!
Nina Peanut, Epic World Tour Era
Created by Sarah Bowie
Published by Scholastic
Nina is back, this is her third book and it is wonderful. It feels like a combination of a book of doodles, a diary and a comic book graphic novel all rolled into one. In case you’ve not met Nina, her friends or even her family, before, there is a nice introduction to each of them complete with Nina’s notes about them. And not forgetting Les, her cat!
Nina isn’t shy about sharing what she likes about herself and that is another thing I love, her honesty and ability to find the positive, she makes a great role model. What is good about her? Well, there is her creative genius and then her ability to solve mysteries, both of which are about to prove useful as part of her World Tour. Okay so she’s going to Sunshiny Island but that still means a place, snacks, a hotel and a beach! It also, apparently, means her mortal enemy on a lounger nearby… Sandcastle competitions, elaborate ice creams and more fun than should be legal, combine in this latest Nina Peanut adventure!
Paws. Gabby Gets it Together
Created by Nathan Fairbairn & Michele Assarasakorn
Published by Puffin Books
Paws are a delightful gang, of friends you understand, and this is one of what is currently a collection of three stories featuring them all. Wondering who these friends are and where their name came from? They are Gabby, Mindy and Priya best friends who all love cute animals. In fact, that is the only thing they have in common, but it is enough.
They are also in the same class at school, spending a lot of time together is great, it gives them time to be sad that none of them can own any pets. Just as they think they must be the saddest of girls an opportunity presents itself, their neighbourhood needs after-school dog walkers. Of course, the girls are the perfect candidates for the job but the business of dog walking is a lot harder than it looks! Each of the adorable pups has different needs and the girls struggle to agree on who to help. Could this mean the end of their friendship or can they work it out and save the day.
Star Cat. Unicorns in Space
Created by James Turner & Yasmin Sheikh
Published by David Fickling Books
The Phoenix magazine was the first to host the stories of Star Cat and now they have come together in a fabulous, bold, bright, strongly opinionated book! Ten chapters make up the book, interlinking to complete the story and share the antics of the Star Cat and Robot One who, and I quote, “puts the me in team.”
The captain of Star Cat might think Robot One is selfish but he couldn’t be more wrong, at least that is what Robot One tells him, after all, he is the one with an advanced robotic brain. Even with the captain suggesting that it’s wrong to sit on Pixx, Robot One is comfy and Pixx seems to be enjoying being a bean bag! Pixx is quite happy-go-lucky but will she and the captain be able to find a way to help Robot One learn how to be good? The challenge is on, there are plenty of ups and downs, plenty of laugh-out-loud moments and a great story too! Are you ready to blast into space with this team?
Stitch Head. The Pirate’s Eye
Created by Guy Bass & Pete Williamson
Published by Little Tiger
This Stitch Head title was originally published as a book in 2012, the series has been going strong ever since and that is how we now have a graphic novel version of one of the stories, the first graphic novel of the series. It’s incredibly exciting to meet Stitch Head in a new format, to see him in bright bold colours and for readers to have the opportunity to explore this new format for a favourite character.
Welcome to Castle Grottskew where a small someone is about to have a very big adventure; Stitch Head is about to set sail on the High Seas. Will he survive the perils? Graphic novels don’t have chapters but this story is divided into four parts as Stitch Head finds himself in more and more sticky situations facing some fearsome pirates. The action is non-stop, the dialogue is brilliant and there is so much to see, to take in, that reader, I strongly suggest taking your time and truly enjoying everything about this one. You'll soon be hooked!
Super Unicorn Princess
Created by Mike Hartigan
Published by Simon & Schuster Children’s Books
Welcome to Horizon City where a brand new superhero is waiting to share her adventures. She's planning to save the city from every enemy and she’s going to do it one rainbow at a time! Super Unicorn Princess is proud to wear her pink frilly dress, needs a theme song, like all the best superheroes, and is and at once tough but sweet. Be prepared!
There is always danger in some form in Horizon City, each day brings new challenges. It could something as little as rescuing a cat from a tree or it could be the ice cream monster, mutant slugs or a very spooky and suspicious-looking ancient mummy. These and so many more challenges can be faced with rainbows and courage. Of course, this wouldn’t be a superhero graphic novel without an arch enemy, that role goes to Leona Linus. Are you ready for the three bright, bold and unashamedly colourful stories in this first book? I hope so because I am certain everyone needs to meet S.U.P.
The Thylacine and the Time Machine
Created by Renee Treml
Published by Allen & Unwin
I am not sure about you but apart from a handful I don’t think there are many Australian native animals I can name. I would like to be better and maybe you would too or are simply curious. I have an innovative way for us all to learn more. With a graphic novel. It features a time machine so that we can all explore the most enigmatic and extinct Australian animals.
This is a very clever time machine for it is also going to let us visit the future. We will be joining twelve-year-old Violet and her dog Tassie as well as their new friend ~ Thyla. Thyla is the ghost of the last surviving Tasmanian Tiger. They are going off on a time travelling adventure to learn more about the true story of the Thylacines because, as part of a school project Violet is researching them and maybe there is something they can do to reverse the extinction of these beautiful animals. A wonderful topic and adventure for a graphic novel.
Toby and the Pixies. Best Frenemies
Created by James Turner & Andreas Schuster
Published by David Fickling Books
Another brilliant book from the comic strips of The Phoenix. This one is filled with the adventures of Toby and the Pixies. There's one thing to know before you venture into this book though, it is packed, to bursting, with humour and diversity, celebrating the power of both.
Toby would be a normal school kid if it wasn’t for the fact that he is also King of the Pixies! Will that be a position that is going to help him hide from the school bully, or will it lead to the inexplicable, them making friends? I know, it sounds too incredible to be true, remember this is fiction but that doesn’t mean there isn’t some truth too. The Pixies probably could protect their king but they’re known for mischief not strength so they have a different plan. They want to make Toby and Steph the best of friends. Is this a doomed plan or the perfect one? With plenty of hijinks this is a very, very silly story.
Unfairies
Created by Huw Aaron
Published by Puffin Books
I sincerely hope that you are a believer. In fairies. If you aren’t we could be having words but maybe I need to give you the benefit of the doubt, let you explore the Unfairies before passing judgement? If I do this then a word of warning, this story is packed, brace yourself, with bugs, fungus and brawls. This book tells the truth about fairies. You have been warned.
Are fairies magical? They’d like you to think so. Are they nice? Again, it’s something they hope you think about them. Are they small? Well actually, yes they are small but please don’t be sizeist, being small doesn’t mean they aren’t powerful, and strong! They live in The Garden, in tribes with a central ancient fortress city where the Tree Fairies, rulers of the garden reside. This story is going to take place in The Garden, at least to begin with, under the great oak tree where the Oakhold Root Stores is located. It should have been a quiet afternoon of sorting but there was a brawl…