Hearing Things (Toon Books Level Two)

Accompanied by orange cat Frankie, young Tim relishes recording the sounds of his new neighborhood--chirping birds, croaking frogs, and an engine's "PUTTPUTTPUTT." But older sister Martha is languishing in the unfamiliar surroundings--she feels friendless, lacks energy to make the "creepy" songs that are her creative passion, and takes face-down naps. Tim stumbles into a solution upon following Frankie into a seemingly abandoned mansion. After encountering two spectral residents, the cat communicates Martha's plight via a dramatic display of feline charades. In sympathy, the skeletal inhabitants conjure up a cacophonous symphony of sounds: a spatula flies through the air with a "FWWSH," bathroom bubbles go "BLUB," chess pieces "CLACK," and in a bravura spread, Sears (the Double+ Adventures series) shows the living room as a swirl of animated objects emitting sounds. When the bounty of eerie recorded sounds shakes Martha out of her funk and into bonding with Tim, she even suggests a visit back to the source. Ghostly shenanigans take center stage in this graphic novel, illustrated in the creator's signature thin-lined layers, which also offers an intriguing picture of a sibling relationship--low-key in its expression but deep in its connection. Ages 5-7. (Sept.)

Copyright 2024 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

K-Gr 2--Tim is eager to help out his sister Martha, who likes to make scary tunes, when she feels isolated and no longer wants to play music. In a search for unique sounds for Martha to sample and mix, Tim stumbles into the town's haunted house. At first, he hears nothing but silence, but Tim's cat is able to persuade two friendly ghosts to liven up the place and make as many spooky sounds as possible. As Tim explores each room, readers are treated with an appreciation of sounds, complete with onomatopoetic words with thick typeface. Sears's accompanying chunky cartoon style makes the piece very gentle and fun, which pairs well with the softer tone. The simpler word choice also makes this perfect for young kiddos who want a "scary story," but need something a little tamer before jumping into the deep end. VERDICT A pleasant and scary-but-not-too-scary addition.--Peter Blenski

Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

"A solid, spooky tale, with vintage-quality illustrations."

"This story combines the apprehension of moving to a new town, the determination of one sibling to help another, the spine-tingling fear of a haunted house, and the cunning of a resolute cat--all in one brief, absorbing graphic novel... The cartooning is fast paced and easy to follow, with just enough text bubbles to establish context and communicate the hilarious and all-knowing motivations of Frankie (who steals the show). The use of bright colors on every page and in many panels' onomatopoeia (to express the spooky sounds) makes the "scary" parts still whimsical and entertaining. Plus, readers will love being let in on the big secret of the story, known only to them and Frankie."