Orchard's artwork is reminiscent of the films 'James and the Giant Peach' and 'Coraline' with its steampunk stylings. The Thimblewitch's army of Scarecrows and Maddy's animal friends are crafted in such a way that I'm positive that the artwork from Baum's OZ books were a direct influence as well. I just wish that Orchard had continued to use some of those characters a little more extensively, like the very funny snake Maddy meets at the beginning of her quest.
So, I've covered the tone and artwork, but what is the book about?
Maddy Kettle is a young girl who used to work in her parent's bookstore until the faithful day when the supposedly nice Thimblewitch turns Mr. & Mrs. Kettle into mice. The family end up on the run from the creepy spider-goblins who eventually kidnap Maddy's parents and her pet flying moon-toad, Ralph. Determined to get her family back, Maddy enlists the help of the cloud cartographers Harry and Silvo, a bear and raccoon who just happen to have a wonderful balloon ship that can take Maddy to Thimble Rock, the home of the now rotten Thimblewitch.
There are some spooky moments in this book, especially involving the Spider-Goblins. But this is the type of book that while a little scary at first, ends on a pleasant note. It's also the type of book that if your child asked you to read it again, when you acted like the scary parts were frightening again, they'll just explain why it's not a scary book anymore. Plus, the Thimblewitch is more like those in Wizard of Oz and less like the one's in Harry Potter, so parents, you should have to worry about this book being a tool of 'occultism.' (Personally, I don't think Harry Potter is an instrument of Satan, but there are those parents who will not allow their children to read anything heavier than the Wicked Witch of the West, thus my previous analogy.)
Maddy Kettle is a great graphic novel that on paper should be an instant classic. But for some reason, maybe it's lack of word-of-mouth or poor distribution, it just hasn't caught on like a Captain Underpants or a Geronimo Stilton. I found this book in the new section of the all-ages graphic novel section (though it is over 1-year old.) Available on Amazon and eBay, this is a great seasonal read that will delight readers aged 7-11 during the build-up to Halloween.
Worth Consuming
Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.
There are some spooky moments in this book, especially involving the Spider-Goblins. But this is the type of book that while a little scary at first, ends on a pleasant note. It's also the type of book that if your child asked you to read it again, when you acted like the scary parts were frightening again, they'll just explain why it's not a scary book anymore. Plus, the Thimblewitch is more like those in Wizard of Oz and less like the one's in Harry Potter, so parents, you should have to worry about this book being a tool of 'occultism.' (Personally, I don't think Harry Potter is an instrument of Satan, but there are those parents who will not allow their children to read anything heavier than the Wicked Witch of the West, thus my previous analogy.)
Maddy Kettle is a great graphic novel that on paper should be an instant classic. But for some reason, maybe it's lack of word-of-mouth or poor distribution, it just hasn't caught on like a Captain Underpants or a Geronimo Stilton. I found this book in the new section of the all-ages graphic novel section (though it is over 1-year old.) Available on Amazon and eBay, this is a great seasonal read that will delight readers aged 7-11 during the build-up to Halloween.
Worth Consuming
Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.
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