Publisher: TOON Books
Release Date: September 5, 2018
Price: $12.95
Creator: Ivan Brunetti
Format: 32 pgs., Full-Color, 9.25"x6.25", Hardcover
ISBN: 978-1-9431-4534-8
Age Rating: Early readers
ICv2 Rating: 4 Stars out of 5
Very well crafted, but an odd duck of a graphic novel. This one actually teaches basic concepts of arithmetic, showing how three times four is equal to two times six, but also teaches some higher math about the concept of sets, while encouraging the fictional kids in the story to do projects showing these things with art. That is a wonderful way of linking art and math.
In addition, kids are shown working their way through an assignment that is at first puzzling or offering them too many options, and turning what they finally work out into a finished project.
That said, the artwork is adequate, but not really up to the quality of the story as a graphic novel for children. That’s really too bad, because some kids may not stick with the story as a result. Ivan Brunetti is a cartoonist rather than an illustrator, and in this case an illustrator might have created a more engaging visual style for the book.
On the other hand, this will be a delightful book for teachers and parents to understand how graphic story can teach concepts, and with luck, they will use it for that purpose.
--Nick Smith: Library Technician, Community Services, for the Pasadena Public Library in California.