10 Little Insects – ‘Bright and altogether engaging’
10 Little Insects gets another rave review in America from Kirkus Review. Here’s a snippet…
“A remote island and a weekend getaway, with murder on the menu.
Think Agatha Christie’s classic Ten Little Indians retold as a graphic novel, an inspiration that Cali’s characters freely reference in the story. These characters, guests on remote Tortoise Island, are various insects: a fly called McFly, who comes in on an airplane; green Mr. Krikkit, who plays a guitar; the tall, yellow, segmented Johnny Nail; and others. Each thinks he’s coming for a different reason: a medical conference, swim meet, etc. An ominous recorded voice upbraids all assembled for unspecified misdeeds and predicts their imminent deaths….
Secret tunnels, a mysterious lighthouse, a skull and a séance all figure into the twisty tongue-in-cheek plot. The storytelling is ably carried along by Cali’s punnish narrative and Pianina’s colorful cartoon panels, which run from five to 10 per page. The playful cover and book size falsely imply a story for young children, but it’s more for preteens and even teens.
Bright and altogether engaging; aspiring entomologists should find it extra amusing. (Graphic mystery. 10-15)”
Review Posted Online: March 27th, 2013. Read more about 10 Little Insects here.