Review by Booklist Review
You've heard it all before. A reckless and adventurous child runs off with a dog companion and friends, and together they brave dangerous terrain and confront the monster that has been terrorizing their town, only to learn that things are not always as they appear and that nothing is more valuable than friendship. But when your reckless adventurer is a tomboy, and her little brother yearns to be both a sword maker and a pastry chef, and when the standard for becoming a good princess is intelligence and cunning, and when the success of the quest ultimately hinges on saving the giant, it's clear that with strategic tweaks to just the right expectations, a familiar story can be invested with all the charm and fun a young reader could want. In a format running rampant with animation- and manga-inspired art, Rosado distinguishes his work with the rounded figures and distinctive characteristics of Charles Schulz and action that engages but doesn't become chaotic. A zingy little story told with fine flair.--Karp, Jesse Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Comedy and fairy tale sensibilities balance perfectly in this exciting debut by writer Aguirre and illustrator Rosado. Delightfully spunky Claudette is set on becoming a monster slayer like her father (who is missing limbs due to his earlier adventures). When she hears the story of a giant on the loose, she is determined to leave her home-accompanied by her cowardly brother, Gaston, and best friend Marie-in order to set things right. Driven by Claudette's courage, Marie, who wants nothing more than to become a princess, shows proper heroic wits, and Gaston reveals inner strength and determination. When Claudette discovers that not all stories are as they seem, she and her friends must fool the adults who have come to bring them home to protect an innocent monster. The rich world and engaging characters are a surefire hit-and the glorious full-color illustrations, which pack a novel's worth of expression onto cartoon faces, should bring readers back for multiple reads of this many-layered story. One can only hope that Aguirre and Rosado have more adventures planned. Ages 7-up. (Apr.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 2-6-Rambunctious Claudette, the daughter of the town blacksmith, sets off to kill the local giant with her best friend and brother in tow. Action and friendship, drawn in a clear, cheerful style, make this graphic novel a great choice for "Bone" (Scholastic) fans. (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
This winning graphic novel will inspire kids dreaming of becoming knights and princesses alike by mixing appealing fairy-tale plots with unconventional solutions. Tiny but tough and feistily redheaded, Claudette is unwavering: slaying giants is every responsible citizens duty. Adults, including her own father (who lost two limbs fighting monsters), warn her that violence is not always the answer, nor does it always work out as she expects. To protect her hometown and its people, our headstrong tomboy enlists the help of her best friend, princess-in-training Marie, and her cautious younger brother, Gaston, to kill the rumored local giant. The three set out on a quest but learn that monsters may not actually be what they are reported to be, and that being worthy heroes takes heart, smarts, and courage. With bright colors and a simple, caricature-heavy art style, the book reflects its creators honed animation skills. Humorous facial expressions and deft comic timing from panel to panel fill the book with as many laughs as suspenseful confrontations. The violence stays light, despite Claudettes initial bloodthirsty attitude, and while the quest is straightforward, the lessons learned along the way are suitably complex for the older-elementary kids who will most enjoy this title. A few conversations hint at back stories that could lead to future installments, and further adventures of this trio would no doubt be welcome. robin brenner (c) Copyright 2012. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
