graphic novel – Page 4

Caramel reviews Tamamo the Fox Maiden and Other Asian Stories edited by C. Spike Trotman, Kate Ashwin, and Kel McDonald

In the summer of 2024, Caramel read several books on Asian myths and legends. A few months ago he reviewed one of these books. Today he is talking to Sprinkles about another one: Tamamo the Fox Maiden and Other Asian Stories, edited by C. Spike Trotman, Kate Ashwin, and Kel McDonald, and published originally in 2016. The edition the book bunnies read is from the 2022 printing.

Sprinkles: So Caramel, you have a graphic-novel kind of a book for us today.

Caramel: Yes, kind of. It is not quite a graphic novel though. It has lots of different stories, not just one.

S: Yes, that is true, it is not quite a graphic novel, because it is not a novel. A novel is a long-form writing, and there is a well-developed story that goes on from the beginning to the end. This one has several short pieces.

C: Yes. There are about twenty-three different stories, of ten to twenty pages each. And they are from all over the world.

S: Well, not quite. Not from all over the world.

C: Okay, they are from all over Asia. There are stories from Japan, China, India, Georgia, Turkey, Laos, Myanmar, Tibet, and Iraq.

S: That is not all the world, but it is quite a lot of different places.

C: Yes, and each story is hand-drawn by a different artist, so it is pretty cool to see that. Every artist has their own style. They are all black and white, but you can definitely see the difference.

S: How cool, Caramel!

C: Yes, very cool!

Caramel is reading Tamamo the Fox Maiden and Other Asian Stories, edited by C. Spike Trotman, Kate Ashwin, and Kel McDonald. — Caramel is reading *Tamamo the Fox Maiden and Other Asian Stories*, edited by C. Spike Trotman, Kate Ashwin, and Kel McDonald.

S: So tell me a bit about the types of stories. The title of the book is Tamamo the Fox Maiden. So I am assuming there is a story in the book with that title.

C: Yup. It is a story from Japan. It is kind of weird but it is a classic folk tale apparently. Here is a version of it, but the version in the book is not quite the same.

S: It does not seem like it is your favorite then?

C: No not really.

S: So which story is your favorite?

C: I don’t know. I really liked “Ghost Pepper”, a story from Laos, adapted by Molly Nemecek. It is about this guy who likes cooking but his mom does not like spicy stuff. He finds a demon thing who likes his cooking and then he marries her. I like the artist’s style, amusing and very effective.

S: Oh that is neat Caramel. Any others?

C: “The Great Flood”, adapted by Stu Livingston, is also cool. It is a Chinese story, part of a myth that has been retold by many people apparently. I liked this one because it had a good moral.

S: And what was the moral?

C: The boy is hard-working and kind and generous, and not greedy. And in the end good things happen to him. So the story is saying, be kind, hard-working, and generous, and don’t be greedy.

S: I like that. Simple but valuable.

C: Yep.

S: I am glad you enjoyed this book Caramel.

C: Yes, I did! It is always cool to learn about the stories people from other places tell their children.

S: That is so true Caramel. But it is getting late now. I think this might be a good time to wrap up our review.

C: Yes, I already said all I wanted to say anyways.

S: Okay, then, let us stop. But before that you want to say one more thing to our readers, no?

C: Of course! Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews!

Caramel enjoyed reading Tamamo the Fox Maiden and Other Asian Stories, edited by C. Spike Trotman, Kate Ashwin, and Kel McDonald, and learning about the folk tales of many cultures from around the world. — Caramel enjoyed reading *Tamamo the Fox Maiden and Other Asian Stories*, edited by C. Spike Trotman, Kate Ashwin, and Kel McDonald, and learning about the folk tales of many cultures from around the world.

Marshmallow reviews Sweet Valley Twins: The Graphic Novel (Best Friends and Teacher’s Pet) by Nicole Andelfinger and Claudia Aguirre

A few years ago, Marshmallow read and reviewed Kristy’s Great Idea (The Baby-Sitters Club Graphic Novels #1) written by Ann M. Martin in the 1980s and 1990s and adapted into a graphic novel by Raina Telgemeier in 2006. Today she is reviewing Sweet Valley Twins: The Graphic Novel by Nicole Andelfinger and Claudia Aguirre, another book whose origins lie in a beloved book series from the 1980s written by Francine Pascal. The edition she is writing about combines the first two books, Best Friends and Teacher’s Pet, in one volume and was published just this year, in 2025. Other artists who contributed to the book include Sara Hagstrom, Andrea Bell, and Warren Montgomery.

Marshmallow’s Quick Take: If you like books about friendship, sisters, family, and drama, then this is the book for you!

Marshmallow’s Summary (with Spoilers): Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield are identical twins. In Best Friends, they start off as each other’s best friend. But like all middle-school aged girls and all book characters of that age, the two have started changing. In my opinion though, the one who is changing more is Jessica. Jessica has become increasingly more interested in boys and popularity, which is natural to an extent. Unfortunately, she has been recruited to join the Unicorns (which is a lot like the Plastics from Mean Girls). In order to get in, Jessica has to prove herself by completing three dares. Elizabeth is more interested in the Sweet Valley Sixers, the school newspaper she founded with her other friends Amy Sutton and Julie Porter. Both Elizabeth and Jessica thought they would be closer than ever in middle school, but they are growing apart instead.

In Teacher’s Pet, the focus is on their shared ballet classes. Jessica dresses to impress the first day, only to discover that their strict teacher Madame André is not a fan of her style. It is on that day that Jessica decides the teacher hates her. On the other hand, Elizabeth has no problem with the teacher, who actually really likes her. Jessica—who believes she is the best ballet dancer in the class—decides that Madame André picks favorites and that Elizabeth is a teacher’s pet. So when Elizabeth gets the solo for the rehearsal, Jessica is pretty jealous. Can the sisters overcome their differences? (Spoiler: The answer is predictably yes, but in a way that I was not too pleased with.)

Marshmallow is reading Sweet Valley Twins: The Graphic Novel (Best Friends and Teacher’s Pet) by Nicole Andelfinger and Claudia Aguirre. — Marshmallow is reading *Sweet Valley Twins: The Graphic Novel* (Best Friends and Teacher’s Pet) by Nicole Andelfinger and Claudia Aguirre.

Marshmallow’s Review: I think these books are really good, especially for young girls in middle school who are noticing behavioral changes in themselves or others. This book is a graphic novel and has two of the Sweet Valley Twins books in one. The Sweet Valley Twins books were originally written in 1986. I think it’s worth noting that there are no discussions about changing bodies in these books so the focus is more on how people’s personalities and interests change. That said, I was a little unhappy with the dynamic between Elizabeth and Jessica. I’ll preface this by saying I liked Elizabeth more due to her sweet, smart personality. I think the way Jessica changes is definitely normal and understandable too. But Jessica also changes in ways that are less excusable: she bullies other girls, pulls pranks on others, and is extremely self-centered. Jessica literally says she is the best dancer to her sister’s face—several times. I think this shows that she is a worse person, or at least doesn’t care so much about others. Yet, at the end of the second book (SPOILER), Jessica is the one given the solo lead role because Elizabeth fakes being injured. Why does Elizabeth give Jessica the role? Because Jessica complains about how she deserves it more and how she is better at ballet than everyone else until Elizabeth gives in and starts thinking she doesn’t deserve it either. I think it’s really good to have an accurate representation of sibling relationships in books, but I don’t like how the authors had the book end in a way that shows one of the sisters giving something they really wanted to the other just because the other one is jealous. I think that was a pretty messed-up ending and I don’t find that fair. I think Jessica definitely needs support, especially since she is so desperate to be viewed as popular and get validation. But the fact that she consistently bullies others and tears her sister down to get that is not okay. I think Jessica is portrayed too well in the book. So I definitely think this book is good to read for young girls. But I think parents and the readers should have a discussion about what a healthy relationship should be like, because Jessica’s behavior is not what should be normalized or idealized.

After I wrote the paragraphs above, I read this review of the second book in its original, which seems to imply that Jessica is clearly the better dancer and the teacher is really playing favorites and has poor judgment. That is not quite the impression one gets in the graphic novel version. Even if Jessica is more naturally inclined, Elizabeth is just as good though possibly with more instruction and practice. So to me, the teacher choosing one over the other does not seem like a big unfair thing. Jessica on the other hand does not handle things well and really comes across as a spoiled brat.

The graphic novel is otherwise a lot of fun to read. The colors and the characters’ depictions work really well. I did keep thinking back to all my favorite books by Raina Telgemeier, especially Drama. If you are up for a solid couple hours of fun reading about middle school blues, this book can be a good choice.

Marshmallow’s Rating: 92%.

Marshmallow rates Sweet Valley Twins: The Graphic Novel (Best Friends and Teacher’s Pet) by Nicole Andelfinger and Claudia Aguirre 92%. — Marshmallow rates *Sweet Valley Twins: The Graphic Novel* (Best Friends and Teacher’s Pet) by Nicole Andelfinger and Claudia Aguirre 92%.

Caramel reviews Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales #9: Major Impossible by Nathan Hale

Caramel has been going through the books in the Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales series one by one and today he is talking to Sprinkles about Major Impossible, the ninth book in the series by Nathan Hale, first published in 2019.

Sprinkles: So today we are talking about another Nathan Hale book. This is called Major Impossible. Can you please tell us about it?

Caramel: It is about a guy named John Wesley Powell, who started a journey to the Grand Canyon, and nearly died multiple times.

S: Wow! That sounds fascinating! So when is this happening?

C: 1869.

S: Cool. Okay, so why does he nearly die multiple times? Tourists go to the Grand Canyon by the millions today.

C: Well, at that time, it was not as safe, and they had to go through all of the rapids and things. The Colorado River is a serious, big river.

S: I can see that. The place is a lot more accessible today but I think it is still a place where people could get hurt if they are not careful. And Caramel, you have not been to the Grand Canyon yet. Did this book make you want to visit it?

C: No, I feel safer here, thank you very much.

S: I like that you feel safe at home but Caramel, I do hope you will see the Grand Canyon some time. It is the only monument I have seen, natural or manmade, that I think is more impressive than its best promotional pictures. So I do hope one day you will get the chance to experience that.

C: Maybe I will, but not for a while.

S: Yes, maybe when you are a bit older, we can go there together on a family trip.

C: That may be interesting.

S: Okay, back to the book. Why is it titled Major Impossible?

C: Well, John Wesley Powell was a major in the Union army during the Civil War. And he is trying to do something that seems almost impossible. So Major and Impossible. I think it makes sense.

S: Yes, it sure does.

Caramel is reading Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales #9: Major Impossible by Nathan Hale. — Caramel is reading *Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales #9: Major Impossible* by Nathan Hale.

S: So is the book only about John Wesley Powell and his Grand Canyon expedition? Or do we learn more about the Canyon or the Colorado River? Or do we learn more about Powell’s life before the expedition or after?

C: We learn about his childhood and what led to his interesting life. For example, when he was a little kid, he was hit with a rock because his father was disliked by everyone in his town for being a preacher. This made him very angry. He was working hard and not being appreciated.

S: Hmm, that is rough.

C: Yep, it feels so unfair!

S: Yes, and any child would be sad and angry. Does the book also talk about Powell’s life after the expedition? Apparently, he served as the second director of the U.S. Geological Survey from 1881 to 1894.

C: Huh, that’s cool to know. But no, the book does not go there.

S: Does it then end with the successful completion of the expedition?

C: Yeah, it does. But at the end of the book, after the “The End” note, there are a few more pages about what happened to the others on the team. A couple died, but many of them lived.

S: I know you enjoy graphic novels and these are also fact-full, so I am guessing you enjoyed this book too?

C: Yep, very fact-full, I loved it.

S: So does this read like a typical graphic novel?

C: Mostly. But it is cool that it is about real people and real events. And there are a lot of maps and such, they are all very useful to see how the canyon looked back then. I mean, I saw pictures of the Grand Canyon before, but most of those were the promotional photos you mentioned earlier, so they do not give you a real sense of the dangers that Powell and his men were facing.

S: That all sounds great Caramel. It seems like you enjoyed the book a lot and you learned a lot from it, too. What is not to like? So this is probably a good place to wrap up this review.

C: Sure. It is almost my bedtime, so I can go to my room and read…

S: Yes. So what would you like to tell our readers?

C: Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews!

Caramel loved reading Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales #9: Major Impossible by Nathan Hale and recommends it to all other young bunnies who are curious and want to know more about the world. — Caramel loved reading *Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales #9: Major Impossible* by Nathan Hale and recommends it to all other young bunnies who are curious and want to know more about the world.

Caramel reviews Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales #8: Lafayette! by Nathan Hale

Caramel loves history and he loves graphic novels. So Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales are perhaps the ultimate series for him. (Except there are no dragons or robots in these books! Oh well…) So as you might expect, he has already read several of these quirky books and reviewed them for the book bunnies blog. Today he is talking to Sprinkles about Lafayette, the eighth book in the series, first published in 2018.

Sprinkles: So here we are, with yet another Nathan Hale book. This is called Lafayette! And it is book eight, right?

Caramel: Yep, and what a good eighth book it is!y

S: Glad you have enjoyed this one too!

C: Yep, so am I.

S: So Lafayette is a French man from the American Revolution days. His full name was apparently Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier de La Fayette, but in the United States people called him Lafayette. Wikipedia tells us that he volunteered to help the Continental Army led by George Washington and commanded the troops “in the decisive Siege of Yorktown in 1781, the Revolutionary War’s final major battle, which secured American independence.” And then he went back to France and got involved with the French Revolution. As a result he “continues to be celebrated as a hero in both France and the United States.”

C: Yeah, he was a really good fighter, wasn’t he?

S: It seems like it. What part of the story does Nathan Hale tell us?

C: The part of him helping the Americans by coming from France and fighting alongside the American colonists rebelling against the British Crown.

S: That’s cool! You remember the song from Hamilton about Lafayette and the Battle of Yorktown?

C: Yep, it was good. Marshmallow really liked it!

S: Yeah, it says “Everyone give it up for America’s favorite fighting Frenchman: Lafayette!” That’s where I first learned about the details of the role he played in the American Revolutionary War. But I bet you knew about Lafayette before that, no?

C: Well, not really. I was really small when Hamilton came out, remember?

S: That’s true. But at least you knew of him before you began to read this book.

C: Yep, and it helped a lot. Because, you know, a lot was happening in the book, and knowing a bit about who was who helped me keep track of things.

Caramel is reading Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales #8: Lafayette! by Nathan Hale. — Caramel is reading *Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales #8: Lafayette!* by Nathan Hale.

S: Okay, so who besides Lafayette is in the book then?

C: All the other big names from those times. George Washington, of course. Then, Alexander Hamilton, William Howe, Benedict Arnold, and some others.

S: And you are right, there are so many things to remember about each of these people and each of the different battles and such, I can see how knowing a bit of something before you start reading could be helpful. But it is after all a graphic novel. You would probably still get something out of reading it even if you had known nothing about any of these people.

C: Yeah, it explains some of the lives of the other characters. And yes, I would have still learned a lot.

S: So given that you did know a bunch already, did you still learn something new?

C: Yep, some things about what Lafayette did came as new to me. For example, I did not know that he joined the war as a young man of around twenty. They were all really young men. Hamilton was in his early twenties too.

S: That sounds incredible.

C: Washington was in his forties though. Much older.

S: As the adult in this conversation, and of some considerable age, I should remind you that the forties are still not too old!

C: Don’t get touchy Sprinkles!! I know you are always young, at heart at least!!

S: Okay play, I know you are still so young… Anyways, the book worked! You liked it!

C: Yes! These books are good! And I am ready for book nine!

S: Okay, that sounds reasonable to me. But it will have to wait till next week.

C: I can still start reading it!

S: Sure you can! So this might be a good time to wrap this up then. What would you like to tell our readers Caramel?

C: Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews!

Caramel enjoyed reading and talking about Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales #8: Lafayette! by Nathan Hale, and is now ready for the next book! — Caramel enjoyed reading and talking about *Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales #8: Lafayette!* by Nathan Hale, and is now ready for the next book!