A shell quest gives new meaning to the term diverse ecosystem in this graphic-novel early reader.Backyards can seem really big, especially if you are a slug, and life can be lonely when you are all by yourself. That's why, when this story's main character, an unnamed slug, hears rustling in the garden and spots snails nearby, its eyes light up. But there is a problem. The slug doesn't have a shell like every snail should. When the snails offer to let the slug play with them provided it gets a shell, the slug scoots off searching for a shell-evidently the key to finding friends and leaving loneliness behind. Unfortunately, the shell substitutes it finds (an acorn cap, a thimble, and an outgrown snail shell) all fail in some fashion. With tears that blend into the raindrops, the slug worries that it will never fit in anywhere and that it will be alone forever. At least the slug has made one friend, a kind snail that, "shell or no shell," has the slug's back. This is a good thing since a flash flood quickly "whoosh[es]" them both away-to a welcoming and diverse hollow-log community. Simple, earth-toned backgrounds in most panels spotlight critters with expressive ping-pong–ball eyestalks that lend them great personality. Most pages are laid out in simple two-by-three–panel grids, facilitating clarity for beginning comics readers. (This book was reviewed digitally.)A sweet and surprising search for self, friendship, and acceptance. (comics-reading tutorial, additional facts) (Graphic early reader. 5-8)

These two entries in the new I Can Read!: Comics series show its audience range. Fish, for younger, almost-independent readers, features an aquatic protagonist with an all-too-familiar problem: "Mom, I'm bored." Fish leaves the dark, cold depths of the sea and encounters Sun. The two play all day until the sun sets; Fish is disconsolate until discovering that Sun returns the next day -- and every day. Uncluttered watercolor illustrations, in Ruzzier's (Good Boy, rev. 1/19; the Fox + Chick books, rev. 7/18, 7/19, and 5/21) always imaginative, slightly off-kilter style, reinforce the playful action; the natural language and phonetic patterns will serve readers well; and the emotional drama is pitch perfect. Shell, aimed at more experienced readers, features two entertainingly cartoony plump and similar-looking creatures; but while one has a snail's shell, the protagonist doesn't. Neither an acorn nor a thimble creates a satisfactory covering, but our hero -- eventually realizing it's a slug -- fits in elsewhere, and just by being itself (although still friendly with snails). The story is told in simple sequential panels, and a smart, manageable "slug v. snail" chart is appended. Both books contain useful, identical front matter with examples of differently shaped conversation balloons and a "Quick how-to-read comics guide." (Fish employs a single large panel per page that contains only simple dialogue balloons and narrative boxes, rendering the explanations somewhat extraneous.) The back covers offer sample panels that preview each book's content, allowing readers to decide for themselves if they are ready for that format. Two great concepts: I can read and I can choose. Betty Carter

A shell quest gives new meaning to the term diverse ecosystem in this graphic-novel early reader.Backyards can seem really big, especially if you are a slug, and life can be lonely when you are all by yourself. That's why, when this story's main character, an unnamed slug, hears rustling in the garden and spots snails nearby, its eyes light up. But there is a problem. The slug doesn't have a shell like every snail should. When the snails offer to let the slug play with them provided it gets a shell, the slug scoots off searching for a shell-evidently the key to finding friends and leaving loneliness behind. Unfortunately, the shell substitutes it finds (an acorn cap, a thimble, and an outgrown snail shell) all fail in some fashion. With tears that blend into the raindrops, the slug worries that it will never fit in anywhere and that it will be alone forever. At least the slug has made one friend, a kind snail that, "shell or no shell," has the slug's back. This is a good thing since a flash flood quickly "whoosh[es]" them both away-to a welcoming and diverse hollow-log community. Simple, earth-toned backgrounds in most panels spotlight critters with expressive ping-pong–ball eyestalks that lend them great personality. Most pages are laid out in simple two-by-three–panel grids, facilitating clarity for beginning comics readers. (This book was reviewed digitally.)A sweet and surprising search for self, friendship, and acceptance. (comics-reading tutorial, additional facts) (Graphic early reader. 5-8)

K-Gr 2 A shell-less snail is sure that when he finds what he's looking for, he'll finally be able to make friends. He tries a few different objects, including a thimble and an acorn, but they fall off, leaving him hopelesshow can he fit in with the others without a shell of his own? But he eventually meets another friend, who helps him find a different path to friendship and belonging. This ugly duckling outsider's tale is full of action and onomatopoeia that will delight strong readers. Relying on a natural palette, Waldo's cheery digital illustrations deftly communicate the characters' emotions. Back and front matter explains how to read comicscartooning basics, speech and thought bubbles, cartooning basics, speech and thought bubbles, and more. Other back matter includes information on snails and slugs and a comparison between the two. VERDICT A great way to help newcomers to the graphic novel format find their footing. Sara Thomas, New Castle Public Library, New Castle, DE