Dr, Jekyll & Mr. Hyde by Lorenzo Mattotti

Mattotti, L. ( 2002). Dr. Jekyll & Mr, Hyde. NY,NY: NBM. Publishing ISBN 1561633305

Illustrator:  Jerry Kramsky

Illustrator Website:  No Illustrator Website

Media Used: Color pastels with comic book frames

Publisher:  NBM Publishing

Year of Publication:  2002

ISBN:  1561633305

Annotation: Dr Jekyll explores the two parts of the soul- good versus evil.  In his lab he created Mr. Hyde by injecting himself with a serum and unleashes an evil that is more frightening than Jekyll could imagine.

Personal Reaction:  This version is an interesting depiction of a familiar tale without veering too far from the original plot. The illustrations although mostly in comic format are varied enough to keep the narrative engaging and moving along.

Illustration:  The artwork is colorful but expressionist with plays of bright reds on darker backgrounds.  The caricatures are not so angled and harsh like more modern graphic novels which make it more enjoyable but possibly not to today’s young readers.

Use of Media:  The rich textures and fluid lines and comic format support the narrative and make this title a good introduction for today’s young readers.

Frankenstein by Stephen Krensky

Krensky, S. (2007). Frankenstein retold by Stephen Krensky.  ISBN 0822559234

Author:  Stephen Krensky

Author Website:  www.stephenkrensky.com/

Illustrator:  No Illustrator given

Illustrator Website: 

Media Used: Mixed drawing and media stills

Publisher:  Lerner Publications Co.

Year of Publication:  2007

ISBN:  0822559234

Annotation: A version of Mary Shelley’s monster created in a laboratory from body parts who when let loose frightens all the townspeople.

Personal Reaction: This version is not an actual retelling or adapted version of the classic but a composite of parts of the Frankenstein story and Dracula and the movies made.  If used for classroom instruction I would recommend this title be paired with another version of just the Frankenstein story.

Illustration: There is a mixture of some colored drawings, movie stills, line drawing and drawings with a dark background.  The predominate colors are green and black.  There are inserts with secondary information about the author, story background and movie background.  Different fonts are used throughout the text.

Use of Media:  The use of mixed media might make this title more interesting to some young readers and possibly students with learning disabilities.

Hercules: The Twelve Labors retold by Paul D. Storrie

Storrie, P. (2007). Hercules: The Twelve Labors. MN: Lerner Publsihing Group. ISBN  9780822564850

Author:  Paul D. Storrie

Author Website:  www.storrieville.com/

Illustrator:  Steve Kurth

Illustrator Website:  No Illustrator Website

Media Used: Pen and Ink Color drawings

Publisher:  Lerner Publishing Books

Year of Publication:  2007

ISBN:  9780822564850

Annotation:  Hercules is charged with twelve impossible feats.  He is able to slay the dragons, monsters et al in this Greek myth.

Personal Reaction:  This rendition is full of action page after page.  Hercules hardly takes a breath between feats of daring-do.  The monster, dragons, etc are especially fierce and big.  Although the depiction is again a superhero mode it does manage to get all twelve feats in the book and also show Hercules as a clever and smart hero not just a strong fearless type.  The front matter with the map and locations of the battles plus the glossary give this rendition more authority. Illustration: The colored pen and ink drawings bring all the battles to life and make the narrative exciting and engaging.

Use of Media:  The graphic nature of this title certainly makes the story more interesting for readers first introduction to these myths. 

Beowolf: Monster Slayer retold by Paul D. Storrie

Storrie, P. (2008).  Beowolf: Monster Slayer. Mn: Lerner Publishing Group. ISBN 9780822585121

Author:  Paul D. Storrie

Author Website:  www.storrieville.com/

Illustrator:  Ron Randall

Illustrator Website:  No Illustrator Website

Media Used: Pencils and Inks

Publisher:  Lerner Publishing Group

Year of Publication:  2009

ISBN:  9780822585121

Annotation:  Beowolf is the strong superhero who decides to help out his father’s friend and slay the monster that plagues the Danes.  He is able to kill the dragon and a few other bothersome characters along the way.

Personal Reaction:  Again there is too much superman/superhero.  For me it distracted from the narrative but the story is clear enough and does not stray horribly from the original legend to render it useless as an introduction to the story. The back matter with a glossary and pronunciation guide of terms is very helpful for young readers.

Illustration: The coloring and action frames support the fast paced storyline very well. 

Use of Media: The graphic novel format helps support the clean storyline and the superhero like personification.

The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann D. Wyss: retold by Martin Powell

Wyss, J. (2009). The Swiss Family Robinson retold by Martin Powell. Minn: Stone Arch Books. ISBN9781434207562

Author:  Johann D. Wyss (retold by Martin Powell)

Author Website:  Gerardo Sandoval

Illustrator:  Gerardo Sandoval

Illustrator Website:  No Illustrator Website

Media Used: Color cartoon

Publisher:  Stone Arch Books

Year of Publication:  2009

ISBN:  9781334207562

Annotation:  A Swiss family survives a shipwreck on an island and makes a life and home for themselves.  They are able to find food and material to sustain themselves through ingenuity and luck until they are rescued.

Personal Reaction: I found this edition to be overly simplified and more like a DC comic book.  I did not remember there was a dragon to be slain in the original version.  I would not recommend this title being used in a classroom.

Illustration: The illustrations border on manga drawings with sharp features on the characters like the father’s pronounced jaw line.  The one positive aspect was that the two women were not depicted with the usual overly amplified bodice and ripped clothing.  The depiction of the modern day tree house (aka. mansion) borders on the absurb.

Use of Media: Using cartoon framing and manga like illustrations will make this story palatable for young readers but the retold story makes this title unsuitable for classroom use.

Wiliam Shakespeare's Twelfth Night Retold by Bruce Coville

Coville, B. (2003). William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night Retold by Bruce Coville  ISBN  0803723180

Author:  William Shakespeare (Retold by Bruce Colville)

Author Website:  www.brucecoville.com/

Illustrator:  Tim Raglin

Illustrator Website:  www.timraglin.com/

Media Used: Pen and Ink drawings

Publisher:  Dial

Year of Publication:  2003

ISBN:  0803723180

Annotation: A young girl disguises herself as a man to work in the Duke’s court. She falls in love with the Duke who loves Olivia.  The Duke dispatches his knave to represent him to Olivia and she falls for him/her!

Personal Reaction:  Mostly what I liked about this adaptation is that the story is understandable.  Young readers will comprehend the plot and be able to see the comedy in all the mix ups.  These adaptations by Bruce Coville serve an important service for students.  It not only introduces the classic plays but makes them likeable and easy to interpret.

Illustration:  The depictions of the various characters make it easy to differentiate their specific places in the various scenes.  The line drawings with light colors portray the time period in Italian dress and clearly illustrate the narrative with all the plots and subplots.

Use of Media: The ink drawings are full of the characters expressions and help to illuminate the emotions of the different players.

Lon PoPo: A Red-Riding Hood Story From China by Ed Young

Young, E. (1996). NY,NY: Putnam ISBN 0399216197

Author:  Ed Young

Author Website:  edyoungart.com/

Illustrator:  Ed Young

Illustrator Website:  edyoungart.com/

Media Used: Color pictures

Publisher:  Putnam

Year of Publication: 1996

ISBN: 0399216197

Annotation: Three young girls are left alone when their mother visits the grandmother.  The wolf disguised as the grandmother (Po Po) tries to catch then but the girls outsmart him.

Personal Reaction: This is a novel version of Little Red Riding Hood.  I liked that the girls are brave enough to take the situation into their own hands and gain the upper hand.  This would be a good book to discuss how to use your head in tight situations.

Illustration: the simple pictures with some impressionist feel and shadowing technique give the narrative even more filled with emotions.  The 3 framed picture of the wolf’s face is quite menacing and enhances the tension level of the story.

Use of Media:  The play of vibrant colors against the dark expertly defines the safe scenes versus the dangerous times.

The Jungle by Upton Sinclair (Adapted by Peter Kuper)

Sinclair, U. (1991). The Jungle (Adapted by Peter Kuper). NY,NY: NBM Publishing ISBN 1561634042

Author:  Upton Sinclair (adapted by Peter Kuper)

Author Website:  www.peterkuper.com/

Illustrator:  Peter Kuper

Illustrator Website:  www.peterkuper.com/

Media Used: Full color stencil technique

Publisher:  NBM Publishing

Year of Publication:  1991

ISBN:  1561634042

Annotation: This adaptation centers on the life of Jurgis Rudkis who immigrates to Chicago to follow the American dream only to be beaten down by the capitalist system defined by the packing houses of the early part of the 20^th century.

Personal Reaction: Is this a hard luck story or what?  The stark realism of immigrant life in the U.S is depicted in this very graphic novel.  Despite the harsh illustrations the story itself drew me in and I wanted to know the fate of Jurgis and his family. I think this actually is a good adaptation for today’s readers.  The narrative is very plain and could be used to appeal to reluctant readers.

Illustration:  The cartoon graphics are harsh and graffiti like which will appeal to young readers today.  The dark colors and cartoon framing support the tone of the narrative and the action scenes very well. 

Use of Media: This particular graphic drawing allows for some harsh impressionist interpretations of the plot.  However, it is well suited to the storyline of the hard existence and struggles of the time period depicted in the novel.

Mine, All Mine: A Book About Pronouns by Ruth Heller

Heller, R. Mine, All Mine:  A Book About Pronouns. NY,NY: Putnam ISBN  0448416069

Author:  Ruth Heller

Author Website:  No Author Website

Illustrator:  Ruth Heller

Illustrator Website:  No Illustrator Website

Media Used: Color Pictures

Publisher:  Putnam

Year of Publication:  1997

ISBN:  0448416069

Annotation:  This book explains pronouns with a rhyming text and colorful illustrations.

Personal Reaction: this book is an enjoyable way to learn or be refreshed on the uses of pronouns. Colorful drawings catch the reader’s eye and carry it along through all the humorous explanations.  It would be great for remedial English classes as well as ESL or even adult literacy classes.

Illustration: Heller’s illustrations take this book from interesting to fascinating reading and learning.  The front and back pieces with different candies make a reader want to run right out to the candy store and grab up a bunch for themselves.  The pictures of the gifts all wrapped in brightly colored boxes look like a demonstration straight out of Martha Stewart’s world. They help demonstrate the uses of pronouns with humor and style.

Use of Media:  The coloring draws the eye to the page and keeps it there despite the subject.  This is education without feeling like learning.

Many Luscious Lollipops: A Book About Adjectives by Ruth Heller

Heller, R. Many Luscious Lollipops: A Book About Adjectives. NY,NY: Putnam  ISBN 0698116410

Author:  Ruth Heller

Author Website:  No Author Website

Illustrator:  Ruth Heller

Illustrator Website:  No Illustrator Website

Media Used: Colored Pictures

Publisher:  Putnam

Year of Publication:  1989

ISBN:  0698116410

Annotation: A colorful and fun book about adjectives.

Personal Reaction:  What a fun book from the rhyming text to the luscious pictures.  This is surely a reader’s delight!  Whether used to help older readers brush up on the parts of speech or in an ESL class everyone will be draw to the illustrations and enjoy the simple rhymes to explain a subject that is not always easy to understand.

Illustration: The illustrations are the stars of this book. The brightly colored and vibrant pictures are hard to resist for any reader.  They grab the reader from the front cover to the end and the text comes right along with them. Each drawing is a visual feast not only of color but precision.  The explanation of curly, curlier and curliest hair is a full 2 page spread.

Use of Media: The full color pictures exquisitely illustrate the explanations of adjectives.  Even students with reading difficulties can grasp the concepts easily from the pages.

Gone Is Gone or The Story of A Man Who Wanted To Do Housework by Wanda Gag

Gag, W. (1935). Gone Is Gone or The Story Of A Man WhoWanted To Do Housework. NY,NY:  University of Minnesota Press. ISBN (2003 edition) 0816642435

Author:  Wanda Gag

Author Website:  No Author Website

Illustrator:  Wanda Gag

Illustrator Website:  No Illustrator

Media Used: Lithographs prints of black and white drawings

Publisher:  University of Minnesota Press

Year of Publication:  Reprint Edition 2003 Original Publication 1935

ISBN:  0888993900

Annotation:  This is an old German folk tale about a farmer who thinks he works harder than his wife.  They decide to switch jobs for a day and disaster ensues in the house with the farmer in control.

Personal Reaction: This humorous tale is always fun to reread.  It certainly reminds the reader to know that the grass is not always greener on the other side.  It also speaks to deciding to be the bigger person when you are proven right when the wife says “Well then if that is how it is we can live in peace …” This tale would be good for a social interaction discussion among many different age groups. 

Illustration:  Gag’s historical illustrations are an enjoyable adjunct to the narrative.  The simple lithographs aptly show the action as well as great depictions as in the thirsty cow after having been cut down from the noose by the farmer’s wife. 

Use of Media: The black and white drawings are historic because at the time of original publication children’s books were not illustrated and this title became an instant hit and sparked the use of picture books for young readers. 

Literary Device Used:  Gone is gone is an alliteration as well as Hulla, Hui as an exclamation.

The Composition by Antonio Skarmeta

Skarmeta, A. (1998). The Composition. Toronto:  Groundwood Books  ISBN 0888993900

Author:  Antonio Skarmeta

Author Website:  No Author Website

Illustrator:  Alfonso Ruano

Illustrator Website:  No Illustrator Website

Media Used:  Color painting

Publisher:  Groundwood Books

Year of Publication:  1998

ISBN:  0888993900

Annotation:  Young Pedro lives to play soccer but his life is impacted when his friend’s father is imprisoned and Pedro becomes aware of life in a dictatorship.  He becomes a quick study when he has to write a government mandated composition.

Personal Reaction:  This book gives the reader a look at unknown worlds of immigrants.  Many times assumptions are made or not made about how an immigrant’s life was in their home country.  Once we find out the truth often our conceptions are proven wrong.  I think this book serves as a good reminder for all readers that another person’s life often is not how we think it is and that people who choose to come to our country often come to escape far worse conditions.  Also, it is a reminder that children can be far more perceptive than we think. This title certainly could be used in a social studies class or cultural differences course.

Illustration: The color paintings are muted and simple.  They serve to highlight the narrative.  The illustrator has chosen to show the friend’s father being taken away by the soldiers but being dragged as the text states.  The soldier that comes to the school is the dominant figure and there is tension in the picture but it is not overwhelming frightening.  He has kept the colors understated but still is able to convey the storyline. There is a page of back matter discussing life in a dictatorship.

Use of Media: The colors and depictions are understated but still are able to convey the storyline. Ruana has aptly shown the severity of this type of society.

The Tale of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves by Eric A Kimmel

Kimmel, E. (2008). The Tale of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves. NY,NY: Holiday House ISBN 082341258X
Author:  Eric Kimmel

Author Website:  ericakimmel.com/
Illustrator:  Will Hillebrand
Illustrator Website:  www.willhillenbrand.com
Media Used: Watercolor and oil pastels
Publisher:  Holiday House
Year of Publication:  2008
ISBN: 082341258X
Annotation:  Ali Baba learns of the thieves gold den and the password.  He takes some gold to his brother who is greedy and gets killed stealing.  The thieves are tricked by the servant and Ali Baba is able to keep the gold.
Personal Reaction: This is an enjoyable recounting of one of the most famous Arabian Tales.  The artwork is colorful and enhances the narrative page by page.  This title would work well in a literature class or creative writing class.
Illustration:  The colorful character depictions match the light hearted narrative.  The picture of Ali Baba refusing to listen to his greedy brother with his fingers stuck in his ears is very relatable to young readers.Use of Media: Some pages have full color scenes while the opposite page will be smaller depictions of the narrative.  The characters are sometimes too fancy or off balance with the Middle East location.  For example when the thief has Ali Baba blindfolded.  Ali Baba looks more like a Santa Claus than a tailor. 

Use of Media:  Some pages have full color scenes while the opposite page will be smaller depictions of the narrative.  The characters are sometimes too fancy or off balance with the Middle East location.  For example when the thief has Ali Baba blindfolded.  Ali Baba looks more like a Santa Claus than a tailor. 

The Little Lame Prince by Rosemary Wells

Wells, R. (1990). The Little Lame Prince. NY, NY: Dial ISBN 0803707894

Illustrator:  Rosemary Wells

Illustrator Website:  www.rosemarywells.com/

Media Used: Pastel watercolor, ink, gouache and colored pencils

Publisher:  Dial

Year of Publication:  1990

ISBN:  0803707894

Annotation: The young prince is dropped as a baby and cannot walk.  After his parent die the uncle banishes Francisco so the people will accept the uncle as ruler.  Eventually he is returned to rule kindly over the land.

Personal Reaction:  This rendition of the classic tale is lots of fun.  The art work, along with the updated narrative, makes the story light and airy.  Not everyone will appreciate the comical way the characters are depicted but young readers will enjoy the story more so because of the pictures.  This title could be used in a Literature class or creative writing for discussions in comparing the old and new writing styles or retelling a classic tale.

Illustration: The illustrations in this book tend to add more humor to the narrative.  The little prince is a pig and his caretaker is a goose.  The pictures are inserted among the text on the page which makes it easier for readers to follow the storyline.  The illustrations are colorful but not so bold as to distract from the story.

Use of Media: The author illustrator uses watercolors after making the line drawings with a mechanical pen.  The action is usually more colorful with the background a more subtle palet.

Eric Knight's Lassie Come-Home: The Original 1938 Classic by Rosemary Wells

Wells, R. (1995). Eric Knight's Lassie Come-Home: the Original 1938 Classic. Ny,NY: Henry Holt.  ISBN 0805037942

Author:  Rosemary Wells

Author Website:  www.rosemarywells.com/

Illustrator:  Susan Jeffers

Illustrator Website:  www.susanjeffers-art.com/

Media Used: Watercolor, Ink and Pencil

Publisher:  Henry Holt

Year of Publication:  1995

ISBN:  0805037942

Annotation: The beautiful dog Lassie is sold to the Duke so that her family can eat.  Desperate to return to her family she escapes and makes the arduous trek from Scotland to England and her beloved friend Joe.

Personal Reaction:  I loved this retelling of the classic tale of a boy and his dog as any animal lover will.  The artwork illuminates the text and aptly conveys the arduous journey and the loss the young boy feels. This story certainly could be used in a history class or social studies for relating tough times to today’s world.

Illustration:  Susan Jeffers lush watercolor drawings give the narrative a depth that makes this tale even more enjoyable.  Readers love the beautiful dog and the colors make the landscape of England and Scotland come alive.

Use of Media:  The drawings bring out the narrative and evoke feelings of love, compassion and understanding for a family in rough economic times.

The Pied Piper of Hamelin by Mercer Mayer

Mayer, M. (1987). The Pied Piper of Hamelin. NY,NY: Macmillan ISBN0027653617

Author:  Mercer Mayer

Author Website:  www.mercermayer.com/

Illustrator:  Mercer Mayer

Illustrator Website:  www.mercermayer.com/

Media Used: Pen and Ink with color

Publisher:  Macmillan

Year of Publication:  1987

ISBN:  0027653617

Annotation: The piper promises to get rid of the rats.  The mayor offers a reward to complete the task.  When the mayor refuses to pay the piper plays his magic on the town’s children and they follow him away.

Personal Reaction: The illustrations make this old verse come alive with action and life.  The characters are bold like the greedy mayor and the scary rats.  This title would be good to use in literature classes for a more modern reader and in creative writing classes to illustrate different storytelling techniques.

Illustration:  The illustrations are full of action but also simple.  The picture of the piper leading the rats away has the piper’s cape large and flowing and more rats than one can count set against the simple outline of the town buildings. The full page illustration of the piper getting in the mayor’s face over non-payment relays all the tension of the moment and in the townspeople’s faces.

Use of Media: The colorful line drawings take this tale to a good book for story hour and to demonstrate for older readers how to remake an old story into a new and updated version for a different generation of readers.



Nancy Drew Girl Dectective #13 Doggone Town by Stefan Petrucha and Sarah Kinney

Pertrucha, S and Kinney,S. (2008). Nancy Drew Girl Dectective # 13 Doggone Town. NY,NY: Simon and Schuster ISBN 9781597070980

Author:  Stefan Petrucha and Sarah Kinney

Author Website:  No author Website

Illustrator:  Sho Murase

Illustrator Website:  No Illustrator Website

Media Used:  Anime

Publisher:  Simon and Schuster

Year of Publication:  2008

ISBN:  978159070980

Annotation: Nancy Drew the famous detective and boyfriend Nic find a lost dog and attempt to return it to the owner in another town.  What they find is a big mystery community with a lot of questions to be answered.

Personal Reaction:  I have to disclaim that I was a reader of the old school Nancy Drew and therefore am biased.  Although this mystery had the requisite who, what and why the story felt “dumbed” down.   I supposed young readers today will like the anime artwork but it did little to enhance the story.

Illustration:  The anime will attract new young readers to Nancy Drew mysteries.  The cartoon format with simple narrative is colorful and certainly makes the characters young and hip. 

Use of Media: The graphic novel format certainly will attract readers from a broad spectrum.  It will introduce an old favorite with   action packed drawings.

Cased Closed? Nine Mysteries Unlicked by Modern Science by Susan Hughes

Hughes, S. (2010). Case Closed? Nine Mysteries Unlocked by Modern Science Toronto: Kids Can Press ISBN 9781554533626

Author:  Susan Hughes

Author Website:  No Author Website

Illustrator:  Michael Wandelmaier

Illustrator Website:  www.wandelmaier.com/

Media Used: Digital art, photographs and drawing

Publisher:  Kids Can Press

Year of Publication:  2010

ISBN:  9781554533626

Annotation:  Each historical mystery is presented with the background file. Then the method of resolving the case is given with details about modern scientific techniques used.

Personal Reaction: Well written text with colorful drawings and pictures make this book fascinating.  The mix of ancient mystery with modern science draws the reader’s attention.  This book would certainly be good for science classes and reluctant readers.

Illustration: The mixture of digital art, anime, drawing and photographs creates a varied visual field to accompany the text.  Detailed drawings of DNA along with the factual information help to bring scientific techniques a greater understanding.

Use of Media: The animation gives this book a current style that children like and are attracted to. The mixed page formats of single page illustrations, photos combined with text, inserts with sidebar information, map and diagrams keep this book interesting both visually and narratively.