Review by Booklist Review
In its continuing effort to expand the boundaries of American comics, TOON Books brings Argentine cartoonist Liniers into its stable of accomplished creators. Liniers draws on the gentle humor of his experimental Spanish-language strip Macanudo in this story of an older sister initiating her younger sister into the joys of a rainy Saturday. Little Clemmie can only express herself by repeating older Matilda's words, but it is clear that she's dubious about charging into the pouring rain and running beneath thundering clouds. Finally lured out and approaching a rainbow, Clemmie loses her beloved red balloon, thanks to Matilda's enthusiasm, but all is well by the end in a conclusion that seems plucked out of parental fantasy. Liniers tells a quiet story that taps into moments of childhood life in a way that few comics manage (or bother to try), augmented by a color palette that creates a deep sense of mood, warm line work, and characters visually reminiscent of Bill Keane's classic Family Circus. An uncommonly family-friendly tale, great for parents to share with their kids.--Karp, Jesse Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Argentinean cartoonist Liniers makes his U.S. debut with a story that presents an up-close view of a tender sororal friendship. For optimistic and strong-willed Matilda, nothing beats a Saturday. "This is how you wake up on a Saturday," she tells her younger sister, Clemmie, who peeks at Matilda from between the bars of her crib. "Hoooraayy! Hooooraaay! For all day today is Saaaaturdaaaay!" ("Ta-day!" cheers Clemmie, just trying to keep up.) It's pouring rain on this particular Saturday, but that doesn't deter Matilda; she coaxes Clemmie outdoors and shows her the delights of running through a downpour and jumping in puddles. When a rainbow appears, Matilda decides to offer it a gift-and what better gift than that red balloon her sister treasures? Liniers's intimate ink-and-watercolor vignettes give way to a full-spread scene of a forlorn Clemmie chasing the balloon into the distance. He doesn't linger on this transgression, but jumps ahead to the evening, as Matilda makes amends-a reminder that moments of disappointment and dismay can be as intense, but also as fleeting, as a summer storm. A bilingual edition is simultaneously available. Ages 4-8. (Sept.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-These books explore the ups and downs of family life. In Peas, four chapters show Patrick and his parents in humorous conflict over vegetables, chores, baths, and bedtime. Patrick's imaginative naughtiness comes alive in Hayes's detailed colored pencil drawings, and the young bear's antics may remind readers of Calvin, Dennis the Menace, and other comic scamps. In Balloon, an older sister exuberantly bosses her younger sister in a series of rainy-day escapades, while Liniers's ink and watercolor illustrations convey each of the sisters' emotions, from enthusiasm to trepidation and even gleeful disgust at mucky worms. These easy readers feature familiar environments, a limited number of characters, and vocabulary that will gently challenge young readers with words like "beautiful" and sound effects like "burble burble." While the expressive thought bubbles, dynamic panel layouts, and perfect pacing make both titles enjoyable first comics, they may be even more successful in beginning-reader collections serving younger children.-Sarah Stone, San Francisco Public Library (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Matilda is excited it's Saturday, because everything is just more fun on Saturdays. Her little sister Clemmie gamely mimics Matilda's enthusiasm, but she is a bit hesitant when her older sibling wants them to go out and play in the rain. With a little encouragement from her relentlessly positive big sis ("You have to TRY things, Clemmie. If you TRY something, you'll see that you LIKE it") and bravery on Clemmie's part, soon the sisters are out in raincoats and boots enjoying themselves. As pictured in the panels of this early-reader comic, Matilda teaches Clemmie other things, too, such as how to catch raindrops on her tongue, jump in puddles, and search for worms. Amidst her excitement, Matilda releases Clemmie's precious red birthday balloon into the sky as a present for the rainbow that appears. Though she realizes her mistake too late, Matilda figures out a way to make it up to a dismayed Clemmie in the satisfying conclusion. It's a tender, accurate depiction of sister dynamics, including the lessons they invariably learn from each other, and Liniers's cartoon drawings capture the siblings' distinct, expressive personalities. His occasional use of wordless panels and the varied panel styles, placement, and sizes enhance the story, and the multihued watercolor palette beneath inky lines of rain accentuates the joyfulness possible on a stormy day. cynthia k. ritter (c) Copyright 2013. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
There are so many things to do when it rains! Hooray! It's Saturday. But wait--it's raining. What are two sisters to do? Older sibling Matilda is absolutely full of ideas and ready to lead younger Clemmie on a grand adventure. What will they do first? It all begins with rain boots and entails a very special red balloon, a wink to the classic book and film. Celebrated Argentine cartoonist Liniers offers a warm visual welcome to early readers in this graphic novel; lively watercolors in comic format provide plenty of memorable images and details to examine and savor. The gentle humor and mild suspense will quickly draw readers in, while brief sentences and appropriately challenging vocabulary, flawlessly interwoven with pictures that provide visual cues, leave room for readers to decipher, consider and comprehend. Natural repetition allows for practice. Overall, this satisfying tale captures the camaraderie of two sisters and shows how the oldest doesn't always have the answers. Now, what will the girls do on Sunday? Achoo! Uh-oh. An excellent example of how well comics can work for early readers, this warm and accessible story is sure to be a favorite. (Early reader. 4-7)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
