Sir Ladybug (Sir Ladybug #1)

Tabor's (Mel Fell) friend-forward graphic novel series opener is an ensemble comedy starring Sir Ladybug as the proverbial gentle knight who doesn't like big fusses, despite being armored up and sword-toting. He's joined by Pell, a pill bug and overenthusiastic herald; Sterling, a snail steed who is trusty, if slow, and revealed to possess a palatial shell interior; Caterpillar, a bug in distress who appears in a cold open; and Chickadee, who wants to eat Caterpillar because "It's kind of what birds do, you know. Eat bugs." Readers can probably guess that no one is going to get eaten, but they'll be happy to come along for the ride with this crew, whose irreverent banter is chronicled in unassuming but expertly paced digital line art. The story's themes of friendship and acceptance may be familiar, but leave it to Tabor to get there in a wholly original way: via a lemon layer cake so "life-changing" that it knocks the putative villain flat with deliciousness and even inspires a parody of William Carlos Williams's "The Red Wheelbarrow." Ages 6-10. Agent: Rebecca Sherman, Writers House. (Mar.)

Gr 1-4--Sir Ladybug and his pals Pell and Sterling are called to a quest to save a caterpillar from being eaten by a black-capped chickadee. Unfortunately, the chickadee is hungry and wants to eat someone, so it's up to Sir Ladybug to use his baking skills to whip up a life-changing lemon cake and save the bug buddies from becoming lunch. Themes of resilience, friendship, and bravery will delight early independent readers and have them cheering for these friends. Some vocabulary may be challenging for the younger end of the audience, however context clues, illustrations, and the occasional explanation should help readers comprehend the story and stretch their vocabulary. The muted illustrations include a lot of white space and are welcoming for early readers, especially those just starting to delve into independent reading. The jokes peppered throughout are a nice touch as well. VERDICT This funny friendship story is an excellent offering for young readers learning to navigate graphic novels independently. A recommended purchase for most collections.--Ellen Conlin