I was very surprised to find today's Family Comic Friday selection at my public library. It debuted in stores just a couple of days ago and with budget cuts, I wasn't expecting my library to be getting a copy of it. But I am very glad they did!
The Fire-Breathing Duckling is a retooling of the Hans Christian Andersen legend of The Ugly Duckling. Instead of a swan's egg getting mixed in with a batch of baby ducks, it's a dragon egg!
Nort is different than his duckling siblings. He's big and red instead of yellow and fluffy. He doesn't quack. He kinda snorts. Instead of swimming and floating on the water, he just kinda sinks.
Unfortunately that last act brings about a lot of laughter at his expense from other animals on the ducklings' farm. So Nort, aided by his blue jay friend, goes around the stead hoping to find out what type of duckling he might be and Nort might just become the hero of all his barnyard friends in the process...
I love Toon Books. They're like the A24 Studios of graphic novels for young readers. They always feature artists and writers with such unique visions and voices. Frank Cammuso has both! The artwork was so adorable. There were several panels where I thought that Nort looked like Bill Watterson's timeless character Calvin; like the scene when the tiny dragon tries hay to find out if he's really a cow in disguise.
This was a fun read recommended for readers in first and second grade. At least, that's what the suggested readers chart at the back of the book. But I think that those that are just about to enter kindergarten will love this book as well.
I know we've still got a few more months left in the year. But I think I've already found my pick for the all-ages graphic novel of the year. It's a take on an all-time classic that I think will become an all-time great with generations to come! Hopefully this will also be the book that makes the multiple Eisner nominated Cammuso a winner!
Worth Consuming!
Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.
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