Ape & Armadillo Take Over the World (Toon Books Level 3)

Armadillo has world domination on the mind, but buddy Ape is fed up with assignments that involve trudging through sewers and fending off robot armies. "Why do I have to distract the spitting serpent that guards the castle... while you sneak in with the princess to steal the wizard king's wand," Ape gripes as Sturm shows him getting tossed around by a monster that resembles an overgrown garden hose. (Yes, these plans for global takeover are strictly pretend, though Ape and Armadillo take them very seriously.) Armadillo pooh-poohs Ape's idea of an evil plan (it involves scaring kids out of an ice cream shop and eating all the butter pecan), but after Armadillo imagines blowing up the Earth with a "space cannon," Ape has had enough: "I don't want to blow up the world. I like a lot of people in the world." Sturm (Birdsong) captures the larger-than-life emotions and imaginations of these friends in crisply drafted cartoons as Machiavellian machinations give way to compromise. As a bonus, secondary comics run along the bottom of the pages, helping readers get to know these two big personalities even better. Ages 6-9. (Sept.)

Copyright 2016 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Gr 1-4--This graphic novel for younger readers is a funny romp into the fantastic world of two friends, an ape and an armadillo. Armadillo, who dons a red cape, wants to play a game of world domination, but his thoughtful friend Ape has another plan. Disappointed at being the sidekick, Ape makes the point that a solid friendship is based on equality. Sturm's deep story line gently teaches children the ways of friendship and compromise. Interspersed throughout are entertaining minicomics where readers learn more about Ape and Armadillo's favorite things and hear their playful thoughts. Sturm, author of the "Adventures in Cartooning" series, understands how to make comics more approachable. Children will appreciate his bold lines and funny and whimsical art. As with each Toon Book, there are tips for parents and teachers on how to read comics with kids. VERDICT An excellent addition; highly recommended for fans of the genre.--Lisa Gieskes, Richland County Public Library, Columbia, SC

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

An Eisner Nominee for Best Publication for Early Readers

A Junior Library Guild Selection

Elizabeth Bird's A Fuse #8 Production 2016 Graphic Novels & Comics for Children

Little Maverick Graphic Novel Reading List 2017​

"Apes and armadillos! Magic! If you're looking for a good friendship tale, this entry into the TOON Books oeuvre will hit the spot." - Elizabeth Bird

"The text perfectly captures the wildly creative narrative spirit in the play of imaginative children, who are not bound by logical rules and physical limitations." - Kirkus Reviews STARRED REVIEW

"Sturm's deep story line gently teaches children the ways of friendship and compromise...VERDICT: An excellent addition." - School Library Journal STARRED REVIEW

"Whichever character's side readers are on, they'll appreciate this pitch-perfect push-and-pull between disagreeing parties—and it only gets better (and funnier and more surprising) when Ape comes up with his own plan." - Horn Book Magazine

"Captures the larger-than-life emotions and imaginations of these friends in crisply drafted cartoons as Machiavellian machinations give way to compromise." - Publishers Weekly

"Sturm's large, vibrant panels are ideal for engaging young readers, and quirky details (is that an alligator in the sewer?) will ensure devoted contemplation." - Booklist

"Simply but colorfully drawn with emotion-filled characters, young readers will thoroughly enjoy this cartoon story of Armadillo and Ape's friendship and where it takes them." - School Library Connection

"If Ape and Armadillo can get along, then there's hope for all of humanity." - Judy Schachner, author of Skippyjon Jones

"A fantastical story for children, every page rich in giggles and gorgeously illustrated." - Jules Feiffer

"Kids will love this graphic novel that touches on a situation very familiar to kids: the bossy friend who wants everything done his or her way." - Mom Read It

"[Sturm] makes the smart choice of stuffing a lot of comics in here: main storylines, marginalia and add-ons. Perceived value was a big deal for me as a kid — not the in the price-point way, but that there were enough elements in a book for me to want to pick it up more than once." - The Comics Reporter