Skip to main content

The Aquanaut

Image
By
By Dan Santat
New York: Graphix, 2022. Graphic novel.

Things haven't been the same since Sophia's father, world-famous marine biologist Michel Revoy, was lost at sea. Sophia lives with her uncle Paul, her father's brother and partner, but he has become obsessed with work and disconnected from Sophia, often neglecting her and the Aqualand theme park that Michel and Paul used to operate. Just when the key investor to Aqualand threatens to pull his investment if the park doesn't get more tourist friendly (think dolphin shows and orcas doing tricks), a mysterious figure in an antique diving suit appears. The mysterious figure is actually a group of sea creatures dead set on delivering Michel Revoy's last message -- and maybe healing Sophia and Paul at the same time.

This book is a rare treat. The perfect blending of humor, action, and deep-felt emotions results in a delightful book. The graphic novel format is especially successful here -- the facial expressions on the sea creature group add a healthy dose of humor to the story and the few full-page spreads are wholly immersive. Dan Santat has a robust fan base already, and this new graphic novel is sure to win him more.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

An ABC of Flowers

By
An ABC of Flowers   by Jutta Hilpuesch New York, NY : Philomel Books, [2019] It turns out there really is a flower for every letter. This sweet book has a photograph of every flower and  a sweet cartoon illustration to go along with it. All your favorite flowers are here (forget-me-nots, mums, and sunflowers), along with some you probably haven't heard of before (billy ball, kalanchoe, xeranthemum?).  This is a perfect book for reading together, and readers of any age will enjoy every page. Don't miss this great springtime alphabet book. 
Post a Comment
Read more

Display: Teddy's Top Picks

By Suzanne
  Bear in the Air Written by Susan Meyers Illustrated by Amy Bates New York : Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2010. Picture book. When a teddy bear is lost by the child who loves him, the bear begins an adventurous journey to get back home again. -- Editor Blanket and Bear, A Remarkable Pair Written by L.J.R. Kelly Illustrated by Yoko Tanaka New York : G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2013. Picture book. When a boy loses his beloved blanket and bear, they travel a great distance to make their way back to him. -- Editor A Bear to Share Written by Jessica Alba, Nora Weinstein, and Kelly Patricof  Illustrated by Alicia Mas New York, NY : Baby2Baby/Harper, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, 2021. Picture book. Tiana loves her teddy bear, Bach. She doesn't mind that he's a little worn and somewhat torn. So when her mother suggests she make room for a new bear, Tiana can't believe her ears! Will Tiana have to lose the one bear she really loves? Or will she find room in her heart for t...
Post a Comment
Read more

Review: Nell O'Dell Hates Quests

By
Nell O'Dell Hates Quests By Emily B. Martin Somerville, MA: Candlewick, 2026. Fiction. 324 pgs. Unlike her parents, famed ex-questers who founded the inn at the Golden Crossroads, Nell O'Dell has no interest in questing. In fact, she has had quite enough of the hoards of questers who crowd the inn each year. Questing, Nell thinks, is a waste of time. But alas! A government mix-up means that Nell will need to travel to the office of the Exchequer to show her family's deed and save the inn. This important mission couldn't possibly be a quest, could it? How about after the deed is stolen by a mysterious girl with a dragon in the middle of the night? Whether she likes it or not, Nell is on a quest—big time - it's up to her to save the crossroads and protect the future of the world. Part quest fantasy and part satire of a quest fantasy, this series opener is a riotous good time. Nell's dry reluctance to engage in questing makes for a humorous plot point, especially a...
Post a Comment
Read more