A New Graphic Novel Series for Halloween – Brume, Volume 1

BRUME,

VOL 1 – THE DRAGON AWAKENS

STORY AND COLOR BY JÉRÔME PÉLISSIER

ILLUSTRATED BY CARINE HINDER

(HIPPO PARK; $12.99, AGES 7-11)

I’m so happy I only have to wait until May for Vol 2 in this original comic fantasy adventure graphic novel series. First published in France and modeled after the author and illustrator’s ancient village in Brittany, Brume introduces middle-grade readers to a sassy, can-do character and wannabe witch whose magical heritage is hinted at early on in the book. And the word, brume, by the way, means fog in French. Backmatter with the history of how the series evolved also provides a peek into the heads of author-illustrator Jérôme Pélissier and illustrator Carine Hinder.

The book’s narrator is an adorable pig called Hubert, who becomes Brume’s sidekick early on in the story. I appreciated the subtle humor conveyed in the irresistible art when Brume, who fancies herself a witch now that her village’s witch has mysteriously vanished, thinks she’s turned a villager into a pig. From the engaging first page where we meet Hubert, to the very last page where we learn that not only is the story to be continued, but that the spell book Brume’s been given by her adoptive father hides a key to Brume’s birth parent, I found myself thoroughly hooked. Hinder’s Disney-esque illustrations are presented in warm brown tones. While they enchantingly convey the centuries-old village setting, they also depict Brume and other characters in modern garb. These two different looks work wonderfully together.

The plot of Vol 1 revolves around a spell gone wrong. When Brume tries to create a potion in her cauldron to clean the fog off her pal Hugo’s glasses, the fog grows wild and covers the entire village. Brume is unaware that the potion has gotten out of control, and villagers warn of the mist’s symbolism. The last time fog like this one rolled in, it signaled that “the dragon of Mount Santo was awake.” Naïa, the town witch who had disappeared, had kept everyone safe, but now the villagers felt they needed to hide in their homes. Not buying into the fear, Brume decided she had to confront the dragon in the scary forest and cast a spell on it to save her community. The antics that she, Hubert, and Hugo get up to while hunting the dragon add more humor, served up in just the right amount to keep those page turns coming. And when Brume doesn’t get credit for being the hero (and it’s actually Hubert who stops the fog), her reaction is funny and true to character. Of course, I wanted more when the story in this volume ended, and I think tweens will too. Brume is a rich character, and, along with her friends, makes me eager to see what she gets up to next.

BRUME: Vol 1

Picture Book Review – Addie and the Amazing Acrobats

February 7, 2025
goodreadswithronna
Ages 4-8, Animals, Animals - Bats, Children's Book Reviews, Emotions & Feelings, Emotions & Feelings, Friendship, Friendship Stories, Humorous Stories, Juvenile Fiction, New Experiences, Nocturnal Animals

ADDIE AND THE AMAZING ACROBATS

Written and illustrated by Shauna Cagan

(Hippo Park; $18.99, Ages 4-8)

This is the story of three bat best friends: Addie, Jude, and Ben, whose favorite things to do are swooping, flipping, and somersaulting their nights away in Addie And The Amazing Acrobats. This debut picture book by author-illustrator and preschool teacher Shauna Cagan tells the story of “Superstar” Addie, who is confronted with a choice between her best friends and the fame of joining the legendary Big Bat Circus.

Addie and the Amazing Acrobats int1 best bat friends. — Interior illustrations from Addie and the Amazing Acrobats by Shauna Cagan, Hippo Park ©2023.

Cagan pulls the reader into the story by breaking the fourth wall: “Um, excuse me.” Addie interrupts the narrator, disagreeing with the opening line of the story. Cagan’s terrific digital illustrations deliver, too, as the scene is set by the big red bridge and the many bats hanging upside down in the dark underneath a passing train. With Addie not liking the opening line, the story starts again with “This is the story of three BEST friends. They were together from the start.” Addie wants the reader to know that their friendship is most important. Cagan illustrates them as newborns wrapped in blankets and at their first sleepover (see art above), where they stayed up all day (get it, they’re bats). As they get older, their favorite thing to do is aerial stunts over the night sky.

Addie and the Amazing Acrobats int2 bat friends performing under red brick bridge. — Interior spread from Addie and the Amazing Acrobats by Shauna Cagan, Hippo Park ©2023.

The trio was a big hit performing for the bears, skunks, and deer, and with each night, the crowds grew. One night, Addie felt a tap on her wing and was asked to join the Big Bat Circus leaving the following day. Addie, Ben, and Jude were over the moon and waited early in the morning with packed bags by the train tracks for the adventures to begin. But when Flipper Von Swoopsalot arrived with his tall red and yellow top hat and red cape, he said, “Just you, Superstar. The others have to stay.” Addie had a tough choice to make. Young readers may be convinced that she would never leave her friends behind. So what happened? She boarded the train with the banner on the side that read THE ONE AND ONLY AMAZING ADDIE!!

Night after night on the road, Addie dazzled her fans, who crammed inside the traveling circus tent with boxes of popcorn and yummy treats. Addie’s talent was in the spotlight, something she always dreamed about. But something was missing.

Addie and the Amazing Acrobats int3 Addie realizes something is missing. — Interior spread from Addie and the Amazing Acrobats by Shauna Cagan, Hippo Park ©2023.

Meanwhile, back home, Addie’s replacement, a terrified raccoon holding on to a tree stump (such a funny illustration!), is too afraid to join Jude and Ben flying in the sky. When Addie receives the news that she will be performing back at home, she immediately mails a letter to her friends. But are they still her best friends? When the second Tuesday arrives Addie looks out the train window in hopes her best bat pals have not abandoned her as she did them.

This sweet story about choosing friendship over what you think you want the most is heartwarming. It shows kids the impact of their choices, a positive social-emotional element that adds an extra layer to the entertainment. The humor is delightful, and you can find something new to laugh about with every read. Bravo to Shauna Cagan, who has taken her years of teaching preschool students and created a book the kids will adore.

Reviewed by Ronda Einbinder

Picture Book Review – A Bear, A Bee, and A Honey Tree

August 4, 2023
goodreadswithronna
Ages 3-7, Animals - Bears, Animals - Bugs & Spiders, Children's Book Reviews, Humorous Stories, Juvenile Fiction, Juvenile Fiction - Nature & the Natural World, Read-alouds

A BEAR, A BEE, AND A HONEY TREE

Written by Daniel Bernstrom

Illustrated by Brandon James Scott

(Hippo Park; $18.99; Ages 3-7)

Daniel Bernstrom’s A Bear, a Bee, and a Honey Tree, a rhythmic read-aloud that invites multiple reads, takes children on a journey with a hungry, fuzzy brown bear and a hive of angry bees.

The brown bear is first introduced yawning and stretching at the entrance to his cave, awakening from hibernation. Illustrator Brandon James Scott’s humorous and expressive digital art portrays the bear and his surroundings with glowing and warm woodsy colors. The illustrations, paired with Bernstrom’s engaging alliterative wordplay, motivated me to turn the page to spend more time with these characters.

A_Bear_a_Bee_a_Honey Tree int1 bee honey — Interior spread from A Bear, a Bee, and a Honey Tree written by Daniel Bernstrom and illustrated by Brandon James Scott, Hippo Park ©2022.

The tree is filled with a honeycomb and lots and lots of busy worker honey bees doing what bees do best, passing the nectar to the house bee. Bernstrom’s words a bee, a busy bee, a honey bee next to the art visually showcase the bees focused on their work. That is until the brown fuzzy hungry bear discovers the gold and yellow bee hive up in the tree. And that’s where the playfulness of the words begins.

The bee eyes the brown bear who is staring up at the green foliage in the tree. The bee’s bulging black eyes and angry eyebrows show he is not happy when next he sees the bear’s bottom side hanging under those same leaves. The bear hangs from one branch and holds on to another while the bee’s angry eyes swirl around him. A busy bear and a busy bee. A cute little bird is intrigued watching the pair.

A Bear a Bee a Honey Tree int2 hungry bear — Interior spread from A Bear, a Bee, and a Honey Tree written by Daniel Bernstrom and illustrated by Brandon James Scott, Hippo Park ©2022.

When the bear’s paw is pushed into the hive, the bee is not happy. In fact, he is a very angry bee who lands on the bear’s nose, catching him with honey dripping from his lips. Bernstrom’s writing encourages each child to joyfully experience the words of the story.

The bear’s eyes are now the ones that bulge when the bee does what he needs to in protecting his honeycomb. The bee has brought in his colony. A million buzzing bees are drawn with angry faces swarming the bear who unwillingly succumbs by falling out of the tree. The hilarious chase ends at sundown when the bees return to their hive and somewhere a hungry bear returns to his cave.

A Bear a Bee a Honey Tree int3 a fretful bee — Interior spread from A Bear, a Bee, and a Honey Tree written by Daniel Bernstrom and illustrated by Brandon James Scott, Hippo Park ©2022.

This is a delightful picture book that, even with its spare text, teaches kids about bee and bear behavior with fun rhymes and rich, captivating illustrations that work together so well. Kids will ask to hear A Bear, a Bee, and a Honey Tree over and over, a sure sign to keep the book close at hand.