Manga Shakespeare: The Merchant of Venice

Title: Manga Shakespeare: The Merchant of Venice
Author: William Shakespeare (Adapter: Richard Appignanesi)
Illustrator: Faye Yong
Publisher: Amulet Books
Copyright: 2011
Price:  $10.95
ISBN: 978-0-8109-9717-2
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Summary and Quick Thoughts: I’m not going into a summary on this one. Simply: The Merchant of Venice told in a manga style…with elves. Dark haired and eye lined elves are Jews, blonde haired elves are Christians. This is more confusing and oddly disconcerting compared to seeing the play live (I think).
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Recommended Audience: High School
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Things to be aware of: Shakespeare?
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Further Thoughts: First, I adore the art, aside from what certain people represent. The art is flowy, entertaining and in a lovely manga style which drew me to this title in the first place. Yong does a lovely job representing the story, but it is a shame I was more confused in this story than anything else.

The adaptation is another story. While original Shakespeare language, and I assume lines, were used in the story, there are moments where the flow is interrupted and something is missed. I have not actually seen The Merchant of Venice yet, at all, and oddly, without the background knowledge, this is a confusing story. I understand that so-and-so is in love with so-and-so and this guy (well, the dark haired Jew) is the bad guy. So scary [/sarcasm]. The “opening credits,” in color, illustrated by Yong, easily told me who was who and introduced “the cast.” On the other hand, this is supposed to be a comedy and not a tragedy? Looking at the cover you’d think it was going to end badly.

What is disconcerting to me is how the difference between the Christians and Jews is night and day. I was informed by my mom and The Philosopher Musician that this is an anti-Semitic play. Ok, but why does this have to look like an issue of race?

I know there are better graphic novel adaptations out there and I keep wondering why these (Manga Shakespeare) keep coming out. I don't enjoy them when I read them and I need to learn that these titles are a pass, no matter what the review journals say.
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Bonus:

Source: Library copy.

Patrick in: A Teddy Bear's Picnic and Other Stories

Title: Patrick in A Teddy Bear’s Picnic and Other Stories
Author: Geoffrey Hayes
Illustrator: Geoffrey Hayes
Publisher: Toon Books (Candlewick Press)
Copyright: 2010
Price: $12.95
ISBN: 978-1-93579-09-2
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Summary and Quick Thoughts: Patrick is a young bear who enjoys having fun and being with his Ma, but he also has problems, such as naptime (which doesn’t make sense to him), and a bully named Big Bear. The first story tells of Patrick and his Ma as they go out on a picnic. Things don’t seem to go well for him after he has a run-in with Big Bear, and the day only gets worse. Ma is there though to cheer him up and give him a reassuring hug. Other, really short stories include Patrick avoiding naptime by faking it, which I’m sure young children can relate to, along with another run in with Big Bear. Will Patrick ever be able to stand up to Big Bear? A visual treat with timeless art that speaks to an older generation, stories that speak to a younger generation, and simple visual fun throughout, this is a strong graphic novel for young children and their parents. An added bonus: reading levels and tips on reading the graphic novel together (which look very similar to general reading tips).
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Recommended Audience: Ages 4-8 (beginning readers)
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Things to be aware of: Nothing!
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Further Thoughts: I adore this. It is a simple story with simple, child friendly art that speaks of a quieter, more innocent, happy time. I enjoyed Patrick as he enjoyed the rain, in the first story, to his lack of understanding the logic of naptime. In my library, with a high population of grandparents, this is a great title to pass along and suggest as something to read together or a “safe” graphic novel. Overall, the stories relate very well to the younger half of the suggested age, although, children older than 6 or 7 may be beyond nap time by the time they pick this up. A great pick for young children starting to discover graphic novels.
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Bonus: Tips on reading with children and GN; Level ratings.

Source: Library copy.

Benny and Penny In Just Pretend

Title: Benny and Penny In Just Pretend
Author: Geoffrey Hayes
Illustrator: Geoffrey Hayes
Publisher: Toon Books
Copyright: 2008
Price: $4.99
ISBN: 978-0-9799238-6-9
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Summary and Quick Thoughts: Benny and Penny reflects a bygone era where children played in the backyard pretending to be pirates and princesses. Benny is a brave pirate, while Penny is an annoying little sister. She wants to join him. He wants to be alone. Typical sibling behavior ensues until Benny comes up with the perfect plan to get Penny to leave him alone. He convinces her to hide somewhere, but after some time passes he worries about her. Typical sibling drama combined with timeless, classic style art come together to make a charming graphic novel for young readers.
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Recommended Audience: Ages 5 to 8 (early readers)
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Things to be aware of: Nothing!
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Further Thoughts: What an entertaining story of two mouse children as they go through the adventures of pretending! The story of Benny and Penny is very traditional since the big brother doesn’t want to play with the little sister, but something about her princess outfit, her determination, and his surprising (or not surprising) fear make this a great graphic novel for young children. Parents and grandparents will enjoy sharing this with children and feel safe letting them read this comic book.
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Bonus:

Source: Library copy.

What's Up. Not Much. The Sky.

I took time to think about it. I took time to look at my new project. I poked around Netgalley for new graphic novels of interest. I read some really (laughably) bad YA novels. I read some intense non-fiction books. I took some time to realize I miss this.

I also took some to talk to my mom about this blog and her thoughts. She reads way more book blogs than I do and I knew I was aiming in the wrong direction. My intent was good, but my writing, not so much. Simply put, she was really helpful and insightful (Hi Mom!).

Basically, I'm back. Regular posts return for just Sundays at the moment unless I feel that some are worthy for you to read much, much sooner. I'm also going to be a lot more honest if I loved or hated the book. I'll also point out whether you should pick it up, or what you'll need to know in order to make the best decision for your collection. Simply, I'm planning to pick up where the review journals and other librarians left off. I'm planning to try to grab titles that for some reason are missed by the review journals.

I have a different perspective on graphic novels and libraries that needs to be heard. I know many librarians love certain graphic novels and I can tell why they do, but I don't love those titles and that's from years and years of reading graphic novels for fun (my favorite example: American Born Chinese sits on many a shelf, collecting dust. I can see why librarians loved it, but honestly, it doesn't appeal to your average teen reader for the most part).

Regarding the challenges this year: HECK WITH IT. I try the challenges every year and I lose sight halfway through the year for other reasons so I'm not even bothering. I just want to give you my take on graphic novels (and other stuff) and what I think.

Enjoy!

What's Up.

As you can see, I've taken a step back from the blog. When reading GNs turned into more of a chore than the fun it once was, I had to take a step back. I also needed to evaluate where I am, what I wanted to do, and such. I have found so far that at the moment, I want more time to think about this blog. I am still getting asked about GNs by friends and at this point, I still find some that I want to read (i.e. Hark! A Vagrant! is on my book shelf). I'm still seen as someone who knows a lot about GNs, but again, I feel I don't deserve the credit as I have hardly touched anything since October. I made an impulse Manga purchase a while ago, but still have yet to read them cover to cover. So, inquiring reader, I am taking a minor break, with no idea when I'll be back. I know I want to be back at this, but I need to sit down and really think about this. I've started yet another side project that needs more attention for a variety of reasons. I will keep Twitter alive and you can certainly see me live-tweeting at any webinars that I attend, but until I find a nice balance between the new project, work, life, and this blog, I've decided this one is where I will take a break. My twitter handle is, of course: ReadsRantsRaves.

MMF: Love Hina Omnibus 1

Title: Love Hina Omnibus 1
Author:  Ken Akamatsu
Illustrator: Ken Akamatsu
Publisher: Kodansha Comics
Copyright: 2011 (Original 1999)
Price: $19.99
ISBN: 978-1-935-42947-0
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Summary and Quick Thoughts: Clumsy Keitaro made a promise at the tender age of 5, to a girl, that they would meet again at Todai (University of Tokyo, a most prestigious school). Now 20, Keitaro has become a ronin, a guy who can’t get into his university of choice, twice. At wits end, he decides to return to Hinata Inn hoping maybe his grandmother can help him. Instead, he finds the hotel turned into a dorm, his grandmother off to see the world, and 5 girls who have the wrong idea about him. What is a boy to do? This Omnibus collects the first three volumes of this “classic*” manga work.
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Recommended Audience: Older teens
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Things to be aware of: sexual innuendos, female nudity, group bathings, mild male nudity
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Further Thoughts: A few years ago, I stood at a library’s little book shop, staring at 15 volumes of Love Hina (I think it was this one…) and thought “Do I have money?” I decided to pass it up and surprisingly, it is one of those sets I continually think “WHY OH WHY did I pass it up?”

Well, I got a second chance. And, I must say, it is very confusing. As I read this title and I kept thinking “Shonen (male-action audience) or Shojo (female-romance audience)?” This title is a hard pick because I’d say there are appealing things for all. I found the possible romance to keep me reading, but could see a guy picking it up for all the girls. Keitaro is just a nerdy guy who bumbles and ends up in the wrong situations. Simple…in a way, except that I think the girls like him in their own way (thankfully, it is clear who he should end up with and who might be his promised girl).

If you are looking for a title to give you a taste of manga, I’d recommend this, cautiously. If you don’t like titillation, forget it. If you don’t mind it, go for it, but seeing as it was published in 1999, it still has value today and the culture is still similar in manga you read now.

Needless to say, libraries with limited budgets but with high traffic should definitely pick this one up. It is more “bang for your buck” (at the price of 2 manga, you get three volumes) and has stood the test of time.

Silly, but good fun.
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Bonus:  *Classic – anything I remember having a huge following during my teen years.

Source: Publisher provided a copy for Manga Movable Feast.

Oh! Shiny! Something new.

If you have been following my Twitter feed, you’ll know I just spent a few days at the PALA Annual Conference. One session I attended surprised me, was not what I expected, but was also an exciting new development with graphic novels. What was this new development?

Another book award.

The Lynd Ward Graphic Novel Prize which is presented by the Pennsylvania Center for the Book and is brand new. Oh, it is so sparkly and shiny, and there has only been one book winning and one book honored (neither of which I’ve heard a thing about) so far.

The session, titled Graphic Novels of the Year (which never really talked about specific graphic novels of the year, mainly nominees for the award whose titles I don’t really remember), introduced Lynd Ward, an artist whose work I am now interested in “reading”, and the creation and qualifications of the Lynd Ward Graphic Novel Prize. I’m not going to go into details because the site has the Prize detailed here. I’m interested in seeing where this goes.

Also, I didn’t realize the PA Center for the Book had some nice resources. For example, if you’re looking for a good definition of a graphic novel, they have it as part of the prize or if you’re looking for some links or resources, they’ve got a little. I’m hoping that they add more soon resources and information soon. This page could be really useful.