Miss Annie: Freedom (Book 1)

Title: Miss Annie: Freedom (Book 1)
Author: Frank Le Gall

Illustrator: Flore Balthazar & Robin Doo
Publisher: Graphic Universe

Copyright: 2011

Price: $29.27

ISBN: 978-0-7643-7884-6
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Summary and Quick Thoughts: Four month old kitten Miss Annie thinks she’s all grown up. She’s determined to get outside and somehow, someday she will. Until then, she’s going to defend the house (from leaves) and chat with her best friend, a mouse, she dubs Keisha after Sarah’s (one of her humans) best friend. Miss Annie does get outside, only to discover that freedom isn’t exactly what she thought it was.

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Recommended Audience: upper elementary (due to events in book 2)

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Things to be aware of: N/A
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Further Thoughts: This does not compare to Chi. Do not compare to Chi. This is not Chi who is the most adorable kitten to read about.

Ok, since this isn’t Chi, but another import and another title about a kitten, this one is interesting it its own way. It takes a Charlie Brown view of humans (excepting the way they talk) where we only see their feet, and Miss Annie’s observations of her humans are silly, yet enjoyable. She does get into cat antics, but in a way, they are not as numerous as…a real cat’s world it seems. Obviously, Sarah wanted the cat, but she doesn’t seem to care for it like her parents do. Huh.

This is a full color comic, which helps it, although Miss Annie’s patterns change periodically, which confused me. How is she supposed to be? Tuxedo? Just black and white?

Miss Annie: Freedom is an enjoyable title and might strike a chord in fans of Erin Hunter’s Warriors series. The first book mainly sets the stage, while the second book focuses more on what happens to Miss Annie in the world. It is no Chi’s Sweet Home though, especially in appeal. The first volume is accessible to all ages, but as Miss Annie matures, my thought is that it will immediately change into a title more appropriate to upper elementary and fans of the Warriors series.

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Source: Library copy.

Manga Movable Feast: Yotsuba&! and Chi's Sweet Home (Review Part)

SWEET! I'm excited to finally join in on a Manga Movable Feast. This time around it is the adorable comic: Yotsuba&! which I actually reviewed Volume 1 of way back in May. Basically, I loved the title and highly recommend it as a different title that will give your manga collection something fun to read. I enjoyed the first volume because of Yotsuba&s wild and crazy antics and that she is such a child and everything is new to her. Although, I wonder why I haven't picked the rest up...too many comics really.

As part of the Manga Movable Feast, people were asked to include a kids manga pick and seriously, what better title than my new all time favorite: Chi's Sweet Home volume 1. Enjoy!

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Title: Chi’s Sweet Home Vol. 1
Author: Konami Kanata
Illustrator: Konami Kanata
Publisher: Vertical
Copyright: 2010
Price: $13.95
ISBN: 978-1-934287-81-1
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Summary and Quick Thoughts: It all starts with a bird and a little kitten. Chi, the kitten,  grew interested in a bird and forgot to follow her mother and siblings back home from a day out walking. As Chi struggles to find her way home, she discovers a world full of scary things. Just as she gives up, luck would have it that a child falls in front of her and both have an understanding the other is unhappy. Chi is taken in by the Yamada family, despite the apartment complex rule that no pets are allowed. In quick, short and colorful chapters, it tells the story of Chi’s development and eventual adoption by the Yamada family. For any cat lover, or anyone who has raised a kitten who strayed from its family, this story will remind the reader of those days and elicit laughter and “awwws!”
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Will Teens Like It? This is a great all ages title!
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Things to be aware of: Nothing.
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Further Thoughts:  Chi’s story covers everything from her attempts to get home, to settling, to her first bath (with lots of growling), to her litter training, to discovery of bouncy balls (one of many favorite cat toys), to her first vet trip (which reminds me of the story of a cat I know) and many other firsts and developments with the Yamada family. In this book, instead of just having the cat go “meow” or “miu” the reader also sees what Chi is thinking or saying with those meows and it is spot on with those thoughts.

The artwork is what really makes this particular work special. Chi’s fear, frustration, anger, excitement, and other expressions are clear and mimic a real cat in a cartoony way. Combined with the words, this is one of the few titles that I often found myself laughing out loud or grabbing one of my family members to show and say “isn’t that like a cat?”

Chi’s story also sometimes parallels Yohei’s (the son), story as he learns to use “the potty” and when he has a growth spurt. Many times I thought, this would be a perfect book for a child who is growing up and needs positive stories about how “this child could do it, so can you.”

Overall, I’d highly recommend this title as it is feel good story about a cat and her family as she grows and explores a little. Cat owners everywhere should be able to relate to many of these stories and fondly remember times with their own cats (or chuckle at moments such as the cat clawing the couch). It almost makes you want to have a kitten again…almost…(please do not offer me kittens. We have 2 cats who are entering the “senior” years plus a temperamental cat that lives with the dog on the main floor with my mum).
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Bonus: This title is pricy, but you’re getting color which is a rarity in manga. If and when I get funds for myself, I’m getting this for my personal collection. And I might get a stuffed Chi too if I find one…oh dear, I've reached fan girl status....

Source:  Library copy.