Akissi: Tales of Mischief (Akissi #1)

In her town in the Ivory Coast, Akissi cannot go more than a few days without causing calamity or getting into trouble. For American readers, she'll recall Dennis the Menace, with an attitude that is equal parts sassy, assertive, curious, and precocious. This collection of adventures explores her life in an African town as she deals with the day-to-day challenges of girlhood. Her exploits include playing football with the boys, dealing with worm infections, sneaking into movie theaters, accidentally setting her friend's hair on fire, and much more. Sapin's richly colored artwork complements Abouet's tales, which bring to life universal aspects of childhood, illustrating the silliness, resourcefulness, and mishaps that are experienced all over the world. Ages 6-9. (May)

Copyright 2018 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Gr 2-5--This comprehensive volume includes the seven short stories featured in Abouet & Sapin's Akissi: Cat Invasion, along with 14 others. The tales, translated from French, follow Akissi's day-to-day life in her Ivory Coast town. In "Good Mothers," Akissi and friends steal their neighbor's baby to play "mums." In "Sunday Feast," Akissi consumes all the food for Communion at church (including the wine) before the service begins. In "Midnight Pee," Akissi's brother, Fofana, refuses to wake up to accompany her to the outside bathroom, so she urinates on his blanket. The short story format sacrifices some character development, but the dynamic among Akissi, her brother, and their parents is classic nuclear family drama and hilarity. Realistic moments are not softened, such as when Akissi eats rotten fruit off the ground and contracts tapeworms that crawl out of her nose. But with its gross-out humor and plucky heroine, the collection reads like Dennis the Menace meets Pearls Before Swine, set in West Africa--and may appeal to fans of both. Sapin's art is earth-toned, with a scratchy yet precise line quality. The panel structure is consistent, with no more than six similarly sized panels per page. Dialogue font is generally small. Bonus content includes three recipes and instructions on how to make African braids. VERDICT This volume fills a gap in children's comics featuring African characters and settings. Highly recommended for middle grade graphic novel collections.--Alec Chunn, Eugene Public Library, OR

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Named to Kirkus Reviews' Best Books of 2018.

." . . utterly unputdownable. Based on Abouet's childhood memories of growing up in the port town of Abidjan . . . the rapid-fire, action-packed tales are wild and antic. The colors are electric—purples, oranges, turquoises and bright yellows."
—The New York Times Book Review

"An unforgettable, boundary-busting, falling-over-funny collection."
—Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW

"[...] the collection reads like Dennis the Menace meets Pearls Before Swine, set in West Africa—and may appeal to fans of both. [...] This volume fills a gap in children's comics featuring African characters and settings. Highly recommended for middle grade graphic novel collections."
—School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW

"Sapin's richly colored artwork complements Abouet's tales, which bring to life universal aspects of childhood, illustrating the silliness, resourcefulness, and mishaps that are experienced all over the world."
—Publishers Weekly

"While aspects of daily life in Côte d'Ivoire will be unfamiliar to many, Akissi's antics will ring true to kids across the board."
—Booklist