Kraken Me Up

August 15, 2021
An unusual pet wins over a crowd. There's a contest at the fair, and different children are bringing their pets in hopes of winning. The bespectacled White judge is excited about the "pretty pig" and "fine hen"--and then comes across a brown-skinned child in a yellow slicker, cheerfully holding onto a large green tentacle. "It is a... / KRAKEN!" the judge shrieks in horror as the kraken, an adorable, massive-headed green sea monster, looks abashed, enormous, emotive eyes communicating volumes. All the other children are equally afraid, so the kraken slinks off to sulk in a tiny pond. This early-reader graphic novel is well paced, going a bit into the backstory of the kraken and the child with energetic, brightly colored panels, short sentences, and simple vocabulary. The ultimate triumph--involving the kraken playing around with his own ink and the sudden regurgitation of pirates--is funny and well earned, mixing both familiar children's insecurities with off-the-wall humor and twists. The illustrations of the kraken pretending to be a spaceship or Groucho Marx are especially delightful, though the few jokes rhyming with "kraken" are a bit eye roll-y. The kraken is appealing and charming, the child is brazen and recognizable, and the overall goofiness mixed with sincerity will win over many a reluctant reader. A kraken good time. (Graphic early reader. 5-8)

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November 1, 2021

Gr 1-3-Hilarity ensues and lessons are learned when a raincoat-clad girl enters a very unusual animal into the county fair pet show. While the other kids proudly show off their pigs and hens, Izzy's kraken, a fearsome-looking sea creature, is initially met with terror and rejection. But Izzy coaxes him into letting others get to know him ("Find a way to make them smile."). After an awkward ink-squirting mishap that explains why Izzy wears a raincoat, the gentle kraken takes her advice and wins over the audience with humor. Their newfound acceptance is threatened when the kraken suddenly coughs up a ship full of pirates lodged in his belly, but it turns out the seafarers are just happy to be free, and everyone goes on to enjoy the fair. The mixture of whimsy, wordplay, and genuine sweetness will appeal to adults and children alike, as will the affirming messages about kindness, individuality, and open-mindedness. Ebbeler's expressive, dynamic illustrations burst with energy. The prose is approachable for the target audience of early readers, with short sentences and simple vocabulary. Izzy has light brown skin, and characters of color are in attendance at the fair. VERDICT Izzy and her kraken are winners in any collection, especially where graphic novels for emerging readers are needed.-Allison Tran, Mission Viejo Lib., CA

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