The Forest Surprise Big City Sights

Gr 1—2—In The Forest Surprise, Jake goes for a hike with his parents and siblings. He breaks his compass, falls into a mud puddle, and loses his sandwich to a chipmunk. His dog encounters a skunk. Despite these mishaps, he has a great day. In Big City Sights, Ty, his parents, and sister go sightseeing in a big city. On their way, Ty talks about his plans to visit a dinosaur exhibit, Chinatown, and an observation tower. When they arrive, however, the museum is closed, and it starts to rain. Ty's parents make new plans, and everyone has a wonderful time. Both stories, illustrated with cartoon-style art, feature similar characters, most of whom remain unnamed, and similar plots. Both titles include a guide on "How to Read a Graphic Novel," a glossary with pronunciations and definitions, and discussion questions and writing prompts. These titles suffer from generic characters and settings and a lack of action.—Marilyn Ackerman, Brooklyn Public Library, NY