** spoiler alert ** Amazing! I loved the character of the other mother with the button eyes. There is something so wonderfully creepy about her. I saw the movie too, but I like the graphic novel better. Wybie was a good character in the movie, but I prefer the story without him. I think what makes the story is the fact that Coraline wants to have fun all the time and it is only after she goes through all of this without her parents that she realizes how terrible it actually is to get what you want all the time. ( )

A young girl fights to save her family from the button-eyed Other Mother who has imprisoned them.

Horror is such a strong genre because the reader can imagine it all for herself. Nothing the author can tell you is quite so bad as what you can dream up from a few choice descriptions or intimations. You can picture the nasties however you wish, paste your own mother's face on the Other Mother, imagine the wet pop as the needle punctures your eyeball... whatever. It's all up to you.

Russell's adaptation is paneled with his usual flair, and his art is as entrancing as always, but I did find that I lost most of the horror. The Other Mother and her world just weren't as scary as they are inside my head.

I think it comes down to the buttons. Russell's buttons are really just black dots painted onto each character's head. There's no hint of the thread that holds them on, no sense of impermanence. They reminded me of round black sunglasses without visible earpieces.

So as a work of horror, this flopped for me. As an adaptation of a story, though, (no emphasis on genre), it's very good. As I mentioned above, Russell's paneling drives the story forward and gives the reader lots to delight in. There are tons of itty bitty panels that help fill in the gaps so many graphic adaptations leave, and some of his jumps help add a nice touch of humor to the story. I found that many of his artistic choices added an extra dimension to the material, too. They got me thinking about this story in a new way, as Russell's adaptations almost always do. I also appreciated the realism; it made for a nice contrast with the stylized illustrations Dave McKean contributed to the original text.

It's worth reading, but I'd recommend that you borrow it from the library rather than buying it.

(A slightly different version of this review originally appeared on my blog, Stella Matutina). ( )

about a little girl who moves to a new house and she fines a door and ask were it goes to and it doesn't lead anywhere but then she open it again herself without her mom and it lead to anther place with her mom with buttons in there eye she said she was waited for her to come but also the mom said doesn't every body have 2 pairs of parents ( )

i like it but i dont love it. It has alot of action. but it boring at the end. ( )

Review at: http://hollybooknotes.blogspot.com/20... ( )

Reviewed by Breia "The Brain" Brickey for TeensReadToo.com

This version of CORALINE is a graphic novel adaptation of the novel penned by Neil Gaiman.

The story follows a common theme in his works of the naive, yet determined, everyman who stumbles into an alternate reality.

The protagonist in this story arises in the form of a young girl named Coraline.

I found the dialogue to be smartly written and the narrative engaging. The artwork, while typical comic fare, set the visual mood quite well.

I greatly enjoyed this story. I found the characters likeable and believable in the context of the story, which in and of itself seemed to me to be an odd metaphor for "growing up."

I cannot recommend this enough to fans of Neil Gaiman's work or to someone looking for something just a little bit different. ( )

I have read the original "Coraline" book by Neil Gaiman and I thought it was a pretty creepy book once you have to imagine the whole thing in your head. But, when I stumbled upon this graphic novel version of the classic tale, I was both disturbed and awed at the same time by this.

"Coraline" is a pretty scary fairy tale about a young girl named Coraline who enters another world where she has an "other" mother and an "other" father and later on, when she comes back to her own world, she notices that her real parents are gone and suspects that her "other" mother had taken them. Coraline then goes on a journey to rescue her parents from the clutches of her "other" mother.

"Coraline" in my opinion is an awesome book but has some pretty scary pictures that might frighten smaller children. I would strongly recommend "Coraline" to children who love a good scary book. ( )

The adventure of Coraline and her quest to save her parents was exciting and at the same time a little disturbing. This is a scarier fairy tale than kids are probably used to reading in this day and age. This graphic novel version was a quick read, but I can't say it was a favorite of mine. The story had a good plot with many obstacles that Coraline had to encounter in her quest to save her parents. I think this would be a good book for reluctant readers to spark their interest in reading. ( )

Coraline has the real creepiness of an old fairy tale. Not the Disney versions where everyone lives happily ever after but the old ones where blood is shed by the deserving. I read Coraline the graphic novel after reading the novel of the same name by Neil Gaiman. The images were satisfyingly creepy, especially the 'other mother' with mouthful of beetles. Despite its fairy tale feel the story has complexity and layers to that keep you thinking long after you finish this quick read. I am looking forward to seeing this story realised in a third form when the 3D movie comes out. ( )

This tale is about a remarkable young woman named Coraline (who remains polite, even when you call her Caroline). Recently she and her parents have moved into one of those wondrous old houses that are sometimes converted into flats.

Both Coraline's parents work at home, and sometimes she feels a bit ignored and bored. Nevertheless, she is encouraged to explore and so she does. First her neighbors: the Misses Spink and Forcible are two retired thespians who live together in the bottom flat, and up above is Mr. Bobo, who is an avid trainer of mice. Having run out of people, Coraline investigates the premises. Her flat is most unusual; it has 21 windows and 14 doors. Only one door is locked, and that only leads to a brick wall.

What's on the other side of the door? A distorted-mirror world, containing presumably everything Coraline has ever dreamed of... people who pronounce her name correctly (not "Caroline"), delicious meals (not like her father's overblown "recipes"), an unusually pink and green bedroom (not like her dull one), and plenty of horrible (very un-boring) marvels, like a man made out of live rats.

The creepiest part, however, is her mirrored parents, her "other mother" and her "other father"--people who look just like her own parents, but with big, shiny, black button eyes, paper-white skin... and a keen desire to keep her on "their" side of the door. To make creepy creepier, "Coraline" has been illustrated masterfully by P. Craig Russell, who's one of my favorites.

"Coraline" is a fun, spooky read for kids and young adults, and adults as well if they are fans of Gaiman. Just don't read after dark. Ever. Especially not in a new apartment.

Book Details:

Title Coraline: Graphic Novel
Author Neil Gaiman & P. Craig Russell
Reviewed By Purplycookie ( )

It was pretty good, but I'd rather read the original. ( )

Coraline is a lonely girl whose exploration of her new home gets her into some serious trouble and a mysterious adventure. I would focus on the theme of being happy with what you have or possibly reality vs. fiction. Coralines fiction world doesn't end up as exciting as one thought. This concept would work well using a compare/contrast activity. This activity would be easier to use because the pictures would help.

This is a scary story about a girl named Coraline (not Caroline). She and her parents have just moved into a new home. School has not started yet and she is very bored so she goes exploring. Her explorations open up a dangerous door into an alternate world where a woman claiming to be her "other mother" wants her to stay forever.

I can't think of another story that is like this, except that a lot of fairy stories are very much like this. It feels totally modern and ancient at the same time. Mr. Gaiman has a genius for reinventing classic ideas.

I got both the text and graphic novel versions. I think I prefer the graphic novel although the text version is a little more scary because you have to imagine everything for yourself. ( )

This is the graphic novel version of Neil Gaiman's book of the same title. I read it because it was the only copy of the book I could get easily and it was worth it. It's a quick read, only partly because it's a short graphic novel. The real reason is because it's quite a page turner. The pictures, in addition to the language, draw you into the story and, unlike so many graphic novels, really do seem to come alive on the page. Even thinking about it now, it's like I was watching the book happen, not reading it.

The story is strong, and is about a little girl who moves with her parents into a new home. It reminded me, in the best way, of Spirited Away. Coraline finds a door that is supposed to open into a brick wall, but instead leads her to another world. She must battle an evil woman trying to be her mother, in order to free her family and friends. Gaiman's writing, as usual, is terrific and the drawings are wonderful. I cannot wait to see the movie and read the actual novella, of course. ( )

A great graphic novel adaptation - spooky, with a compelling story and a strong female lead character. I lingered over the pictures and when I finished the story, went back to look at the pictures again. The illustration of Coraline curled up in her parents bed is the absolute picture of loneliness. The audiobook version is also wonderful. Gaiman himself narrates and even sings the creepy rat songs. ( )

Over the past few years, I've become a fan of Neil Gaiman. I particularly like the way he doesn't "talk down" to young people. He knows the fears, concerns, frustrations, and interests of today's kids. P. Craig Russell has recently adapted and illustrated Gaiman's award-winning novel, Coraline. This wonderful adaptation of the original work is an excellent example of how graphic novels can bring a new dimension to reading.

Coraline's strength comes from the real-world world of young adults who are bridging childhood and adulthood. They strive for independence, but are still closely tied to their parents.

It would be fun to form a reading group that analyzes the many novels for young adults that have been adapted to the graphic novel format.

It would be fun to match Coraline with other graphic novels such as a Clive Barker's The Thief of Always for a middle school literature circle on fantasies dealing with alternative worlds. ( )

I was extremely excited when I saw the Coraline in graphic novel form. When the book first came out I totally fell in love with it. For a children’s book, it was completely frightening. The graphic novel does a great job of hitting the high points of the story and the illustrations are great, but I don’t think it should be used as a replacement for the original book. The illustrations that are in the book publication are even creepier than the color illustrations in the graphic novel. For example, look at this illustration of the Other Mother from the book.If you aren’t familiar with the story at all, here is a quick summary. Coraline has just moved to a new flat with her parents. School is still a couple of weeks away so she is left to explore her surroundings including the grounds of the building and the flat itself. Her parents are extremely involved in their work and have little time for Coraline so she is left on her own a lot.There is one door in the flat that is locked and when she asks her mother what is behind the door she is told that it leads to another flat, but the passage way has been bricked over - her mother opens the door to prove it. Later that night, while Coraline is in bed, she hears a clicking across the floor, curious about what made the noise, she gets out of bed and creeps into the hallway. She notices the door that leads to the other flat is open. Her curiousity forces her to walk into the dark opening and what she finds is a mirror image of her own flat - including her Other Mother and Other Father.After entering the flat next door, Coraline’s life takes a horrifying turn. She must enter a battle with the Other Mother in order to save not only her life, but the lives of several others.This is an awesome book. You should definately read the book in addition to reading the graphic novel. ( )

Although I almost read exclusively in the Graphic Novel genre, I was skeptical that a visual adaptation of Neil Gaiman's "Coraline" would add anything to this very spooky tale. While it is certainly no substitute for reading the original work, P. Craig Russell's exquisite art makes this work an outstanding companion piece. Russell's adaptation is well paced, both in his choice of what to include in the storyline, and his choice of panel size and placement. The color and composition of some drawings evoke the beauty of Maxfield Parrish, while other panels take their inspiration from film noir. Absolutely exquisite. ( )

graphic novel, teen ( )

Like the wizard of oz, only creepier. I had weird circus dreams after reading this book. If you're a sarcastic parent and you want to mess with your kids, read this with them before going to sleep. I'd like to have read the original book first, to know if it is as scary as the gn. ( )

This adaptation of the Neil Gaiman novel by Ohio illustrator P. Craig Russell captures the inherent creepiness of Coraline and the button-eyed people on the other side of the door. A movie adaptation of the book is also due out in 2009, so this title is certain to be popular. ( )

Great illustrations

accompany creepy tale.

Nice repackaging.

Children's Books Too Cool for School

I've been very bad. I should have reviewed this ages ago -- in fact made a sort of promise to do so. The truth was, I just wasn't that into it. I tried, oh so very hard I tried. I would pick it up, doggedly read a few pages, and then my eye would be drawn to the shiny new cover of whatever novel I had checked out recently. "Oh," I would think,"This won't take me long to read anyway, so I'll just pick up this novel and read Coraline on my lunch break!"

Of course, I did not. And the problem isn't really the book's. It's me. No really! I just don't think I'm a graphic novel reader. I know, I know, they are the hot thing in the publishing industry and I'm struggling to stay hip and relevant, and so I was just dying to read it. I'm just biased in so many ways here.

For those who've never read Coraline in any form, it is a great horror story, but not a gory one. Just very, very creepy. It all starts when Coraline's family moves out to a big house in the country, already occupied with a few boarders. There are the slightly batty old ladies next door -- former Vaudeville performers -- and the even more batty man upstairs who trains rats.

Then there is the door to nowhere. Coraline's mother explains that the entrance was bricked over when the house was busted up into flats and that all that is on the other side is another, empty apartment.

However, when Coraline, bored for the day, fishes down the keys and opens the door, it leads instead to a dark murky tunnel and a creepy world where she has an "other mother" and an "other father," who both have buttons for eyes. They beg Coraline to join them, showing her the buttons they will bestow her with, but when she refuses, they kidnap her real parents. Now Coraline must save them.

The graphic novel follows the plot of the book exactly, using what looked to me like the same wording, dialog etc. The illustrations were sharp and vivid, if not as dark and murky as I'd hoped. However, they were suitably rough and scratchy to match the character of the book.

Mostly, I think this is a problem of having read the novel before. I already had my own visions of Coraline and her world, and so, of course, no illustrator's vision was going to match up to, or even live up to, my own imagination. This is, I think, part of the reason I struggled so hard to muddle through the graphic version.

Yet, this is unfair. Coraline:The Graphic Novel has the power to bring Gaiman's great story to a whole different set of readers. We in the library business are always touting the power of graphic novels to draw in that elusive creature, the reluctant male reader. And even with its main character being a girl, I think this book could very well succeed in doing just that. I almost feel devious -- disguising a great novel as a comic book, luring in the unsuspecting. Maybe they will like it so much they will try some more Gaiman, without pictures. A gal can hope.

So, despite my own reluctant readership in this case, I think this was a great collaboration, and a very cool idea. I'm sorry I took so long to get over my own issues instead of thinking of those who are graphic novel readers and those who have not read Coraline before. (In fact, I feel like I should point out there are some graphic novels I have loved, but they've all been original to the format. I really think being a Coraline fan hurt me here.)

This book is great for all sexes, and, despite being creepy, isn't gory or anything, so is a good horror story for younger readers. The popular format will extend the story's upper age reach as well. I'll say around ages 9 - 14. ( )

Russel has done a really excellent job translating Gaiman's story into a graphic novel form. All the characters are somehow both evocative of Gaiman's own prose yet creepy enough to stand on their own. Well done, I say! ( )