Maxwell Eaton III

I was skeptical when, several years ago, I first encountered Eaton's deadpan stories with their lumpy, broadly drawn illustrations. I quickly became a fan, however, especially when I saw how much kids giggled over them. When his graphic novel series, Beaver Brothers came out, I was hooked. So I was quite thrilled to see that he's back with a new easy reader series.

It would be easy to call these "the new Elephant and Piggie" and compare them to Willems, but they're a completely different show more animal. Heh.

The book opens with bright yellow endpapers, patterned with a stick, leaves, stone, turtle, acorn, and cattail. The title page gives the reader the first hint that Andy and Preston's relationship isn't the typical odd fellow friendship, showing the alligator holding the....let's call him a groundhog...up to his mouth. The first chapter, "Rabbit Games", introduces Andy (the alligator) and Preston (the other one). Andy is dreaming of a tasty rabbit dish, when Preston shows up, ready to play with his best friend! They're playing with a rabbit! So much fun! Andy, resigned to the situation, decides that Preston might as well be useful, but the game doesn't end up the way he expects! In chapter two, "Okay Andy" Preston is cheerfully collecting things to add to his acorn and keeps asking Andy if it's okay for him to have them. When Andy loses his footing, his stick, and his temper, will things be okay? Maybe, maybe not. The third and last chapter, "ZZZ" hints that Preston just might not be the friendly but clueless type. Andy just wants to sleep, but Preston wants to play a guessing game! This is the funniest chapter and kids will giggle helplessly as the exhausted Andy guesses all the wrong things for Preston's sound...and they both get a big surprise!

Maxwell Eaton's art has a distinctive, handmade style with big blocks of color and thick, hand-drawn lines. You might expect the dot eyes and lines to create characters that lack expression, but they are wonderfully expressive. Andy's exasperated friendship, Preston's enthusiasm, and Eaton's deadpan humor shine through every part of the art.

The text is simple, in some chapters consisted of only a few words, but this is one that will build children's visual as well as textual literacy, encouraging them to look for clues in the pictures, combine those with the text, and figure out what's going on beyond just the surface of the text. They will also be encouraged to read facial and physical expressions.

Verdict: No surprise that this was the 2014 Cybils winner! Funny and a great mix of text and art, perfect for a beginning reader with a little experience. Highly recommended.

ISBN: 9781609053505; Published 2014 by Blue Apple; Purchased for the library show less

Maxwell Eaton, author of the hilarious Flying Beaver Brothers and the Adventures of Max and Pinky series, is back with a new nonfiction series that’s perfect for read-alouds and intermediate readers. “The truth about…” features “seriously funny facts about your favorite animals” and his latest entry, Dolphins, is no exception.

The jokes start right away, as a cheerful dolphin pops up on the front page to say “We’re social animals.” Followed by an orca chasing the dolphins show more across the title page saying “Wait! Let’s be social!” Each page features a simple line of text with a fact about dolphins, a seascape illustrating the fact, and additional explanations and jokes in boxes and word bubbles. An unnamed, dark-skinned girl scuba dives alongside the dolphins learning all about them. Readers will learn that dolphins aren’t fish and how they can be told apart from fish, that they are mammals, how baby dolphins are born, about echolocation, and many more facts. Many different kinds of dolphins are shown, and some of their unique behaviors and habitats. There are also some pages on dolphins’ threats, mostly from pollution, both chemical and noise, and climate change. A final page is set up like a file with snapshots and facts, as well as some further research facts (divided up into tucuxi-sized books and orca-sized books)

Eaton packs the picture-book sized title full of his trademark tongue-in-cheek humor and friendly cartoon pictures. While I often have trouble getting older readers to pick up picture books, the simple layout and humor of these titles makes them accessible even to kids (and parents) who think “picture books are for babies”. Although there are several more difficult vocabulary words, with some help kids can work through them and there are pronunciation guides for some of the most difficult, like echolocation.

Verdict: Simply and humorously explained, these are a great first introduction to animals and perfect for older readers who aren't yet been able to handle chapter books and younger readers who read at a high level. Recommended.

ISBN: 9781626726680; Published 2018 by Roaring Brook Press; Borrowed from another library in my consortium show less

This engaging book definitely tells the "truth" about elephants and does so in a clever way! I love the graphics -- there are comic-style illustrations that are full of interesting facts. I really enjoyed the small pull-out boxes that share additional facts. The addition of a small white bird on every spread was fun to track; his expressions are hilarious. I think students will love following his journey throughout the book, along with a hyrax that is introduced as one of the elephants' show more closest living relatives and plays the sax in different parts of the book. I learned some new facts while reading this book, even though I know quite a bit about elephants. I didn't realize, for example, that elephants make deep, (gargantuan) cat-like purrs that humans can't hear! Most of this book gives characteristics and interesting tidbits about elephants. Toward the end, the author shares threats -- tigers, crocodiles, lions and hyenas -- to elephants, with two pages dedicated to the largest threat, one that "wears shoes." Four ways that humans affect elephant populations and habitats are given in an appropriate and thought-provoking way. It is then followed with a "call to action," encouraging students to read about elephants, teach others, and speak out. I really appreciate how the author handled this; it's important and appropriate for elementary-aged children. I appreciate the "Elephant File" (which looks like an open manila file folder) that has graphics with a synthesis of elephant facts, along with a sidebar list of resources for "Further Research." The addition of emotion in an informational book is refreshing; students will remember what they read because of the personalities that shine. Anytime humor is injected into information-loading is a win with elementary students! show less

Since I got a galley that included both of the next Flying Beaver Brothers books, I'm going to do a double review today. I loved the first Flying Beaver Brother books and I'm SO EXCITED to see more.

First, volume 3, Mud-Slinging Moles! I had to admit, I was a little disappointed by this volume. Ace and Bub are just hanging out on their island when suddenly giant gloppy sink holes start appearing and things begin sinking! They make a journey to see the all-knowing, wise marmot, but he's not show more much help. Fortunately, they wind up discovering the culprits - confused and confusing moles - and also realize they need to work together as brothers to get things done.

There's nothing wrong with the story, it's just...bland. I'm not sure orange was the best color scheme for the mud-themed adventure and it's not as well laid out as previous stories, so it's kind of confusing. Just kind of meh.

Now the fourth volume, Birds vs. Bunnies, is awesome. Like the first two stories, it's unique and funny. Although the plot of this volume isn't as original as the others, Eaton gives it a fresh spin and his own tongue-in-cheek humor and I giggled my way through with joy.

Bub and Ace think life is great and spending a week on Little Beaver Island relaxing will make it even better. But when they get there, they discover the birds and bunnies are in the middle of a rapidly escalating fight. Are they just too different to ever get along, or is there a mysterious person amping up the tensions?

Several giant mechanical contrivances, a lot of confusion, and one mysterious mastermind later, Bub and Ace have reunited the birds and bunnies and everything is peaceful once more...maybe.

This series is turning quite rainbow-hued and this fourth volume goes all out in the purple department. Although the basic plot isn't particularly unique, it's the clever details and deadpan humor that sets it apart and makes this a hilarious read for kids and grown-ups alike. You wouldn't think it was possible to get subtleties of expression in the thick lines and blunt art of Eaton's style, but it's amazing how much he can express with just a turn of the head and a few panels.

Verdict: While the Mud Slinging Moles was a bit disappointing, Birds vs. Bunnies more than makes up for it and you'll want to collect the whole series. It's a great beginning chapter book series for emergent and beginning readers with it's simple art and text, but the subtle humor will make older kids and even adults enjoy reading these over and over again and giggling every time. A great addition to the solid color, small format graphic line that includes Babymouse, Lunch Lady, Squish, and B. C. Mambo.

Mud-Slinging Moles
ISBN: 9780449810194; Published July 2013 by Alfred A. Knopf/Random House; ARC provided by publisher at ALA Annual 2013; Purchased for the library

Birds vs. Bunnies
ISBN: 9780449810224; Published July 2013 by Alfred A. Knopf/Random House; ARC provided by publisher at ALA Annual 2013; Purchased for the library show less