Seven Kicks for Seven Impossible Things

Review:

Book Nook’s Seven Kicks:

What I love about Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast

1. I love the title.  Literary, yet catchy, and makes the reader or browser want to know what the blog is about.  
2. The blog has a vintage feel, with fleur de lis wallpaper panels, and one of several illustrations of the Mad Tea Party as its header, reflecting the source of the blog’s name:  Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carol.
3. The author is a reviewer for children’s literature at Kirkus and brings her finds to her blog and to her readers.  The blog is at once thoughtful and enthusiastic about new children’s lit, as well as any homage that is paid to children’s literature of yore.
4. Though the blog is clear and easy to follow, since there are so many images, I do wish the blog had a larger area for glorious spreads of artwork.  Apparently, the pictures are bigger than they were in the past, according to the blog’s author.
5. 7 Imp’s 7 Kicks.  Though the blog is mainly devoted to literary pursuits, I appreciate a divergence into the personal.  Each week or so, the author lists “7 Kicks”: 7 great things that happened that week.  She also encourages her readers to list their seven kicks in the comments section of the blog.  It’s a way to see the blogger in a more personal light; there are ridiculous pictures of her eight-year-old daughter, favorite books, links to favorite discoveries, or simple lists of thankfulness.
6. Connections.  This author has cred, and it’s so neat to see how the children’s book authors divulge their work.  There are images of artist’s worktables, spread with the first sketches for a book idea, and then the mock-ups of pages, and then finally the finished product.  Here is one of my favorites.
7. Multimedia.  The author has videos, images, text, and beautiful illustrations for the reader to feast upon. Some of the content is personal such as a video of the author interpreting at a read-aloud for a Scholastic event; some more professional, like interviews with authors and spreads of their work.  

     The content, while it feels cramped at times, does a good job expressing a lot information in a small amount of space.  I feel lucky to have found such a varied site, filled with dramatically different artists and storytellers, all attempting to reach children in a meaningful way.  I use this blog already to stay on top of new titles I would be interested in purchasing at a later date.  Many of her book reviews are on books that have not been printed yet, so I would have to keep a running list of titles and release dates.  I also read it to learn about the world of book writing, publishing, illustrating and reviewing and for its entertainment value, which keeps me coming back.

Outlaw: The Legend of Robin Hood

     This book details the legend of the inception, deeds, and adventures of Sir Robin of Loxley, a.k.a.      Robin Hood

     The book is great for older youth.   There is some language, violence and mature subjects.  The pictures and panels are very dark, and the depictions and language would be too mature for young children.

The strengths:

     The writers and illustrators have stayed true to the legend and characters familiar through history: The Sheriff of Nottingham, Black Hugo, King Richard, this brother John, Little John, Robin Hood, and Maiden Marian, to name a few.  The plot is very detailed, and addresses how Robin Hood grew up, his relationships with friends and family, and then how he became the hero to his people.

The Weaknesses:

     The pictures are very dark.  I found it very difficult to tell exactly who people are, especially early in the novel, before Robin begins to wear his distinctive green attire.  The men all look the same, and there is only one distinctive woman, so there are a lot of men to keep track of.  Also, the love affair between Robin and Marian seems too contrived.  It happens very quickly after their first meeting, and she is supposedly still in mourning, so I am surprised that she accepts Robin’s advances after so little contact.              The love plot seems more realistic and organic later in the novel, once they’re had a few more encounters.

Uses:

The graphic novel is great for reluctant or visual readers, either on its own or as a supplement to written material.  It also works well as a “short” version for becoming familiar with plot, story line, themes, and major characters.  It is a fun way to introduce historical legends as well.

Outlaw: The Legend of Robin Hood

By Tony Lee, Sam Hart, Artur Fujita

Graphic Novel

Candlewick Press

ISBN: 0763644005

Read-alikes:
Bram Stoker’s Dracula

Bugan, Michael
Stone Arch Books. 2008. 


Gulliver’s Travels

Lemke, Donald
Stone Arch Books. 2008. 


King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table

Hall, M.C.