Cover Image

Backpack stories

by O'Malley, Kevin, 1961-

Format: Print Book 2009
Availability: Available at 1 Library 1 of 1 copy

Available (1)
Location Collection Call #
Sewickley Public Library Juvenile Graphic Novels J F OMA
Location  Sewickley Public Library
 
Collection  Juvenile Graphic Novels
 
Call Number  J F OMA
 
 

Summary
You don't think much about your backpack. It's just kind of dirty and crammed with stuff. But wait - did you know the backpack has a history? That it could be a superhero's secret weapon? Or an exploding science experiment? Or even a living creature of immense proportions? Kevin O'Malley has created four surprising comic-book style stories to entertain and amaze backpack wearers everywhere.
Contents
History Man
Volcano, or candy is dandy
Jet : Super Backpack Girl
Day of the living backpack.
Published Reviews
Booklist Review: "The subject of this colorful graphic novel-style picture book backpacks is certainly a universal one for kids, and these four tongue-in-cheek stories present an imaginative look at the secret lives and power of these carryalls. The first covers an early backpack development by such forward or backward? looking figures as Roscoe the caveman and the ancient Greek GottaLottaStuffus. Next come an exploding backpack science project; Ordinary Ashley, who transforms into Super Backpack Girl to save airplanes and kittens; and the backpack that ate the living room. The chapters range from four to eight pages, the art from cool to garish. By the time kids are at the age of hauling around 25 pounds of homework (and who knows what else is in there) and can appreciate the humor, they are likely to need more payoff than these sometimes inconsistent pieces provide. Still, this whole is greater than the sum of its parts and will prompt kids to have a little fun with that monkey on their backs.--Medlar, Andrew Copyright 2009 Booklist"
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Publisher's Weekly Review: "Ordinary backpacks get humorous treatment in four brief stories, told in sequential art, that make good use of puns and tropes from comic books, TV and movies. The first story, "History Man," is a tongue-in-cheek documentary about the "history" of backpacks, full of goofy humor ("Historians believe the first backpack was created by a caveman named Roscoe.... Unfortunately his friends thought he was being attacked by a beaver, and they pounded him with sticks"). "Volcano, or Candy is Dandy," about a science fair experiment, ends with an array of comic book-style sound effects ("gurgle gurgle! bang, bang!") as Brendan's bag turns out to be an excellent volcano. Girls will especially enjoy the tale of "ordinary Ashley" whose backpack turns her into a superhero. But O'Malley (Gimme Cracked Corn and I Will Share) saves his best lampoon for "Day of the Living Backpack," a sly take on kids' overloaded bookbags, starring a boy whose hungry backpack starts devouring everything in sight. O'Malley hints at the possibility of a sequel: "Backpacks aren't the only thing with scary surprises inside. Just look inside your... lunchbox!" Ages 7-9. (Sept.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved"
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Additional Information
Subjects Backpacks -- Fiction.
Humorous stories.
Backpacks -- Juvenile fiction.
Publisher Morton Grove, Ill. :Albert Whitman,2009
Language English
Awards A Junior Library Guild selection.
Description 31 pages : illustrations (chiefly color) ; 29 cm
ISBN 9780807505045
0807505048
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