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Review: Bea Wolf

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Bea Wolf
By Zach Weinersmith
Illustrated by Boulet
New York: First Second, 2023. Graphic novel. 181 pgs.

In this dramatic retelling of the ancient poem Beowulf, the children of the neighborhood party as long and as hard as they can. In their treehouse kingdom they eat candy and junk food, play with toys, and run wild. The freedom of Treeheart attracts the ire of one joyless Mr. Grindle -- a middle aged man who hates children and fun. One night, Grindle strikes against Treeheart and transforms its inhabitants into adults. Salvation comes in the form of a mighty five-year-old -- Bea Wolf -- who is determined to restore childhood fun to Treeheart.

This is a wonderful, weird, and very fun book. It's easy to forget how carefree and wild childhood can be, but this book captures that particular sense of adventure perfectly. Does Beowulf feel like an obvious story to adapt into a children's graphic novel? No. But that's part of what makes this story work so well -- it is completely unexpected. Written in verse with a dramatic meter, this book matches the drama of it's source material. Likewise, dramatic and cartoony line illustrations and epic panelwork complete the overall effect while matching the tone perfectly. This book is nothing but fun for young readers and adults alike.
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