Sardine in Outer Space
by Emmanuel Guibert and Joann Sfar
Published by :01 First Second Books
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Reviewed by Connie Anderson
Geared more toward children, more so the middle reader, Sardine in Outer Space is the first "graphic novel" I've reviewed.
The cartoon drawings will attract children and can be enjoyed by adults as well.
This story was translated from French by Sasha Watson. Comic authors Guibert and Sfar took turns writing the script and drawing pictures.
The heroine Sardine, her uncle Yellow Shoulder and Little Louie board the Huckleberry and blast off into space. There they encounter cosmic squid, masters of the universe, leeches, talking clouds and many evil characters. Your child would love think this is so cool.
Supermuscleman is the evil guy and with his helper Doc Krok, they chase Sardine and friends. The story line also includes manners, moral stories and human--teaching and reinforcing messages.
About one character they say, "He is so brave," to which another says, "No, that's just his job." Another chimes in, "But he is NOT crazy."
Many of the space-age characters will remind you of the Star Wars space mutants.
Armchair Interviews says: If your child is imaginative and enjoys quirky things they will like Sardine in Outer Space, a good example these new graphic novels (that means a comic bound like a book).