The great thing about writing here whilst also working in a school and setting up a graphic novel library in our school library is that I get to share some great comics that the children would never normally see.
Sure, they may read Tintin, Asterix, Beano and Dandy annuals, might pick up DFC library volumes in a book shop…. but Bone? Smile? Babymouse? Toon Books? Johnny Boo? Probably not able to get hold of those.
Even better is when we get to show them something completely out of the ordinary, something libraries wouldn’t perhaps stock and bookshops might not include with children’s books…. when they get to see things like Jules Ffeiffer, Peanuts, Calvin & Hobbes, Beanworld, Jason Shiga, and so much more.
Case in point, although most of Blank Slate’s line is rather more grown up than we could stock in a primary school library, Dinopopolous by Nick Edwards, with it’s Phineas and Ferb meets Indiana Jones meets 8-bit Nintendo style adventure, seemed like it might do the trick.
Many thanks to Kenny at Blank Slate for donating a few copies…..
By Nick Edwards
Blank Slate Books
Review by Emily (Year 6)
I really enjoyed reading Dinopopolous, and think it’s a really clever story with so many twists and turns.
The start is fantastically gripping, and it’s a shock to see what happens to Lancaster Perrifold, famous explorer!
All of the jewels and treasure you’ll see at the end are amazing. I thought the miracle bird was hilarious, and there are many silly little creatures all the way through (and a scary one!)
Review by Lucy (Year 6)
Dinopopolous is all a boy called Nigel, a regular teenage boy … or so you’d think. But Nigel is really a secret detective who solves mysteries that nobody else can be bothered to solve. This story starts with Nigel’s boss handing him another mystery that gets this young adventurer into lots of trouble; involving strange new worlds, fearsome creatures, and dinosaurs.
The main character is Nigel and his best friend/ co-worker, Brian. Brian’s a dinosaur, and he’s my favourite character because he’s a faithful and loyal friend and pet. He also manages to keep Nigel in order!
I like Dinopopolous because it’s bright and cheery even though it’s in black and white. It also has hints of romance, adventure, fantasy, and mystery.
I’d give Dinopopolous 9/10 because even though it had a good beginning, near the end it got really confusing. But overall the storyline and graphics were amazing.
Review by James (Year 6)
I thought the book was quite good but at times I didn’t completely understand what was going on in the story.
The main storyline is about a boy going on a quest (with his very friendly pet dinosaur Brian) to find a hidden treasure for his boss.
The boy and the dinosaur have an unearthly adventure looking for “The Miracle Bird Of Ndundoo” and along the way there’s lots of trouble including having to fight off an evil gang of lizards!
Okay, thank you so much to Emily, Lucy, and James for taking time out from evil SATs revision to read and review Dinopopolous. As usual, their ideas and thoughts are much appreciated!
April 29th, 2012 at 6:27 pm
I agree for james on this statement. He says some good thought things on the novel. I think that the drawer should make more thought on the way that he expresses his opinions and work. the Novel is hard to makes sence of and sometimes lazy. But the artwork makes sence and is nice in some contexts.
nick, I think you should more think about colour and how the story. but really good effort welldone nick. Really good reviews of art. Could anyone show some links to other of writers reviews?