Module 12: Graphic Novels (and a Few Graphic Picture Books) for Young Readers

Holm, Jennifer L., and Matthew Holm. Babymouse: Our Hero. New York: Random House, 2005.

Summary: In this installment of Babymouse, the mousy heroine is faced with nightmares many children can relate to. Told in graphic novel format, with plenty of humor thrown in, Babymouse faces much of the normal angst children of today face at school-- not wanting to wake up, missing the bus, bullying, the frustrations of a locker, and difficulties with schoolwork (in this case, fractions). When Babymouse realizes she is going to have to battle against her arch nemesis bully, Felicia Furrypaws, in Dodgeball, she panics. Wishing to avoid the entire situation, Babymouse finally summons the courage to stand up to Felicia, and manages to score the winning shot, instantly becoming a hero. 

Impressions: I can see why girls cannot wait to check out the Babymouse series. The characters are winsome, the pink, black and white illustrations are fun and cheeky, and the graphic novel format is easy to follow. The humor is fairly sophisticated, but not so much that readers won't grasp it. The storylines are familiar and easy to relate to, and real issues such as bullying are addressed in a safe and fun way. The fact that Jennifer and Matthew Holm are brother and sister will add to the enticement for any readers with brothers or sisters. 

Reviews:

Horn Book Guide: New readers will appreciate the familiar situations, humorous asides, and easy-to-digest plots; the graphic format is easy to follow.

Horn Book Magazine: The heroine of these two graphic novels for new readers is a sassy, smart mouse. New readers will appreciate the familiar situations, humorous asides, and easy-to-digest plots. The graphic format is easy to follow, especially since Babymouse's rich inner life is painted pink while the real world is depicted in a less flashy black-and-white. Babymouse is here to stay, and fans of Fashion Kitty and Captain Underpants will now add her to their collection of well-thumbed volumes to read over and over again.

Publisher's Weekly: ... eye-grabbing black-and-pink graphics, and a perceptible Spiegelman influence simmers in the energetic ink illustrations of the dot-eyed heroine. The Holms make humorous allusions to novels and movies, and interject sympathetic remarks from an offstage narrator. This personable, self-conscious mouse, with her penchant for pink hearts, resembles Kevin Henkes's Lilly, with some extra years of grade-school experience.

Booklist: The Holms spruce up some well-trod ground with breathless pacing and clever flights of Babymouse's imagination, and their manic, pink-toned illustrations of Babymouse and her cohorts vigorously reflect the internal life of any million-ideas-a-minute middle-school student.