Graphic Novels for Teens/Adults

I have graphic novel on the brain!  So I made it into a (children's) display today.  Here's a sign available for download by clicking on "Graphics" under the "Youth Services Programs and Resources" heading in the upper right hand corner of this blog: http://librarieslearnlead.blogspot.com/




Speaking of graphic novels, I just finished reading Scenes from an Impending Marriage (LOL!) and Artichoke Tales (What?) ... Even with the pictoral character key on the end pages of Artichoke Tales, I had trouble distinguishing one character from the other.  Anyone else read these two?  In the carousel below are other more teen or adult graphic novels that I currently have checked out but haven't read yet.


Update: 7/25/11 I now realize Big Crunch isn't a graphic novel ... cover is very intriguing though ...

Graphic Novel, Squish the Super Amoeba ... and Peggy Paramecium

Speaking of graphic novels ... I recently read Squish: Super Amoeba, the first volume in a new series by the creators of well-known Babymouse.  I LOVED the humor (don't forget to watch the face change on Squish's hat!), the successful use of panels versus no panels, and the incorporation of the micro and simple organisims I learned about in middle school.  I also love the labeling in this graphic novel.  For example, below you'll see that Principal Planarian gets a stamped name as well as an arrow with further information.

I'm a little obsessed with Peggy (Paramecium) and wish I could have the original illustration of these two pages:  

I also love the following "running" late to school action scene ... Reminds me of my recent "great exercise" in the airport.  Perhaps I need to adopt a little more of Peggy's postive attitude ...

It'd be awesome to do a "Squish the Super Amoeba and Science" program ... You could show videos like this one ... a "real" interpretation of Peggy running!

Or this video about planarian regeneration from Exploratorium's Microscope Imaging Station: http://www.exploratorium.edu/imaging_station/research/planaria/story_planaria1.php  

Graphic Novelist, Ben Hatke

I was totally STOKED to meet Ben Hatke at his own booth in the ALA Exhibit Hall!!!

Don't know Ben Hatke?  He's the author/illustrator of the graphic novel
Zita the Space Girl.


Zita the Spacegirl: Trailer from Ben Hatke on Vimeo.



Here's some of his ORIGINAL ARTWORK that he was kind enough to let me purchase!  The black and white sketch is my favorite (okay ... one of my favorite) scenes in the book.  Turns out, it was one of his, too!  The watercolor is not a scene from the novel, but involves the characters from the book in a scene that, to me, describes in so many levels the marvel of all graphic novels -- "It's an ART book!"