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

Don't let Armadillo's adorable if armored exterior fool you. This manic mammal is keen on world domination. And despite agreeing to their initial arrangement, in which Ape attacks robots and Armadillo ascends on "the queen's royal pegasus," Ape is having second thoughts about the team-up. After all, Armadillo's schemes lead Ape, and Ape alone, through some sticky situations, from spitting serpents and sewer tunnels to cramped car seats. Envious of Armadillo's grand getaways and proximity to the (hypothetical) princess, Ape devises a ploy of his own. But when the duo's ideas of evil clash, the unlikely pals must seek compromise. 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. Plus, the mood-coordinated color palette ab taupes and maroons temper Armadillo and Ape's ultimate altercation okes a necessary dollop of gravity. With additional, unrelated antics in strips adorning the bottom of each page, Sturm's latest standalone is sure to teach youngsters the benefits of loyalty, reciprocity, and, if they're lucky, butter pecan ice cream.

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.)