Jewel Kats

I received this book through a Goodreads Giveaway.

I like the idea of this book - a bubbly, sexy woman faces her disability with positivity and humor - but the execution falls flat in writing and art.

The brunt of the book is in gag-a-day comic strip format, and unfortunately, none of the punchlines in the final panel are very funny. Some pages are given over to profiles of the author and her family, which generally serve as introductions to the following gag strips. I would have preferred having the family members introduced in the strips themselves. In the end this book seems more like a random sampling of existing material rather than a new graphic novel or cohesive compilation.

And the art . . . In any given panel, the art looks all right though slightly amateurish. But as you view panel after panel, it is apparent the artist is making heavy use of the copy-and-paste function in whatever software she is using to create the strips. I think she has literally drawn the main character's head only once in her life. Since then she simply flips it left or right and adjusts the eyeballs and mouth slightly to make the appropriate expressions. If she's not going to put in much effort, then perhaps neither should I.… (mer)

This is such a delightful book, the story was so heartwarming and the beautiful illustrations are absolutely adorable. The story starts with an excited feel as Prince Puppy is to be born in the Puppy Kingdom, preparations are under way including the creation of his special Prince crown. But he arrives early causing worry and uncertainty, yet he was being well cared for by Dr Pup and his staff in hospital. Adjustments would have to be made but things would soon settle down and fall into place.

This is an easy story to read with a child (or on your own like me ;-) ) and I felt that it encouraged discussion between the older and younger reader as they went through it together. A lovely way for a young child to be able to understand what is either happening to them in their own family or perhaps a family they know.

I just smiled throughout this book, it was so cute with touching illustrations reminding me of soft cotton wool. Definitely a book to be cherished and passed around the family.… (mer)