Early Graphic Novel Review – Nursery Rhyme Comics: 50 Timeless Rhymes from 50 Celebrated Cartoonists edited by Chris Duffy (5/5 stars)

Reading level: Children’s
Genre: Picture Book/Nursery Rhymes
Size: 128 pages
Publisher: First Second
Release Date: October 11, 2011
ISBN: 978-1596436008
Stand Alone or Series: Stand Alone
Source: Finished copy through Amazon Vine
Rating: 5/5 stars

I got a copy of this book through the Amazon Vine program. It was a very fun read and something that I think kids of all ages and adults will both enjoy.

There are a number (fifty to be exact) of nursery rhymes illustrated and retold in various ways. Some of them are just beautiful renditions of the nursery rhymes, some of them are ironic retellings, and some of them are fantastic re-imaginings.

For example Jack Be Nimble has a little boy making asides about how stupid you would have to be to jump over a candlestick, then when he turns around at the end his pants have a hole burned in them. Three Little Kittens showed how the kittens lost, found, and even made more trouble with their mittens. Little Bo Peep looses her sheep, but her sheep are dream sheep that she counts to stay asleep.

The above are just a few examples of the wonderful collection included. All of them were well done. Some were ironic and surprising, some just plain beautiful. The illustration style is all over the place; some are beautiful fantasies, some are cartoony, some are folk-art-like, there is even a sci-fi themed rendition. All are in full color and wonderful.

My son, who is four, really enjoyed reading through this with me. He loved some of the twists on the nursery rhymes he already knows. Even my husband who walked by while we were reading this, ended up drawn in and sat down to finish the book with us. It was just such a creative take on a lot of the nursery rhymes; very entertaining and enjoyable to read.

Overall I adored this book and am so glad I have it. It will be something I keep in my library so that my son and I can take it out and read it. Fans of nursery rhymes or graphic novels in general should give this a look through. It was wonderful to find something creative like this that both me and my four year old son really enjoyed reading. So if you have kids definitely buy this book and sit down and read it with them! It adds some wonderful excitement to old nursery rhymes and you will see them in a new light after reading this book!

This book goes towards the following reading challenges:
– 100+ Reading Challenge
– Graphic Novels Challenge List