toon_graphics.pngToon Books, the award-winning line of comics for beginning readers, is branching out with Toon Graphics for Visual Readers, a line for older readers. but not grown ups but rather 8-up, readers who have a few more compound sentences under their belts. PW has the debut story, but the first three books, all due this fall, include:

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Theseus and the Minotaur by Yvan Pommaux (August)

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Cast Away on the Letter A by the famed French creator Fred (September)

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Hansel and Gretel by Neil Gaiman and Lorenzo Mattotti (October)

From Brigid Alevrson’s article:

Mouly originally launched Toon Books to focus on the ability of comics to facilitate the mechanics of early reading and encourage reading through comics. Toon Graphics, she said, will take that a step further, using visual narratives to engage readers more deeply than text alone. She pointed to video games, which her son was fond of when he was younger. “It seemed mindless to me,” she said, “but he explained that it wasn’t about the physical skill of hitting a keyboard, it was about inhabiting this world in a video game” and “investing in the rich texture of the story. That’s where I think comics are such a good tool for young kids.”

I’m saw the art from Matotti’s book during a slideshow he did a year ago—it was absolutely stunning. I”m guessing Gaiman has just added some equally stunnign text to the art, which I believe has already been collected. This book will be distributed in two versions, one normal Toon sized (a bit smaller than a comic book) and a larger deluxe hardcover. Pro tip: go for the deluxe edition.

5 COMMENTS

  1. All of these look amazing! These are going to light up so many young minds. Mattotti with Gaiman sounds like comic fans’ fantasy.

  2. http://www.candlewick.com/cat.asp?browse=Title&mode=book&isbn=1935179659&pix=n

    Hansel & Gretel Deluxe Edition
    author: Neil Gaiman
    illustrator: Lorenzo Mattotti
    suggested retail price (U.S./CAN): $29.95 / $34.00
    isbn-10/isbn-13: 1935179659 / 9781935179658
    on sale date: 10/2014
    type/format: Graphic Novel / Hard Cover
    age range: 7 yrs – 10 yrs
    # of pages/size: 48 / 9 1/8 x 12 5/8″
    grade range: Grade 2 – Grade 5

    suggested retail price (U.S./CAN): $16.95 / $19.00
    isbn-10/isbn-13: 1935179624 / 9781935179627
    on sale date: 10/2014
    type/format: Graphic Novel / Hard Cover
    age range: 7 yrs – 10 yrs
    # of pages/size: 48 / 7 3/4 x 10″

  3. Hey, FINALLY a wider approach and a more “hybrid” take on the graphic novel. I’ve got a book for middle readers (8-11) with a multi-media mix of text and grahics. Now I just have to find out how to submit!!!!

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