A Newcomer in Pocketville
A Newcomer in Pocketville
Select a format:
Publisher's Hardcover ©2024--
To purchase this item, you must first login or register for a new account.
Candlewick Press
Just the Series: Monti and Leo   

Series and Publisher: Monti and Leo   

Annotation: A charming early reader in graphic form draws on the classic theme of friendship to show that being new—or different—doe... more
Genre: [Graphic novels]
 
Reviews: 3
Catalog Number: #375596
Format: Publisher's Hardcover
Special Formats: Graphic Novel Graphic Novel
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Copyright Date: 2024
Edition Date: 2024 Release Date: 05/07/24
Pages: 70 pages
ISBN: 1-536-22277-1
ISBN 13: 978-1-536-22277-7
Dewey: Fic
LCCN: 2023944687
Dimensions: 24 cm.
Language: English
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews

A friendly mole learns that strangers aren't always so strange.Pocketville, as its welcome sign advertises, is "a quiet little town"-"And we like it that way!" When a new resident, Leo the lizard, moves in, Mrs. Sheep, the baker, starts gossiping about him. Monti the mole is initially annoyed at Leo; the lizard takes Monti's favorite resting spot, buys the last cinnamon rolls, and checks out the library book Monti wanted. But Leo is also kind and willing to share. The two become fast friends, and when Mrs. Sheep gossips about Leo again, Monti speaks up. He also introduces Leo to his friend Harriet's music, and they decide to mount a talent show. Though the villagers are reluctant to take part, Monti performs some savvy ego inflation to get Mrs. Sheep on their side, and soon everyone is following suit. Seasons appear to progress from spring to winter over the course of the book's four chapters. Monti and Leo's friendship radiates warmth throughout. It's clear that kindness and hostility are choices, and this tale shows that the capacity for both exists in everyone, from mild-mannered Monti's brief bouts of irritation to a surprisingly gracious moment courtesy of Mrs. Sheep. With their long snouts, Monti and Leo cut endearing figures in Kantorovitz's rounded, spare cartoonish art. Most pages contain two to four panels, making the characters' exploits as easy to process as the relatively short sentences.New neighbors, attitudes, and ideas are worth embracing in this community-minded tale. (character sketches) (Graphic fiction. 7-9)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

In this early reader graphic novel told in four quickly moving chapters, Kantorovitz (Sylvie) introduces Monti, a quiet, self-effacing mole who lives in the close-knit community of Pocketville. One day, Monti is outraged to find someone sitting on his special rock. Following a period of self-doubt—and a genial greeting from the stranger (“This is such a beautiful rock. Won’t you sit down?”)—Monti befriends newly arrived resident Leo, a small, cheerful crocodile. When the baker, Mrs. Sheep, vilifies Leo (“These strangers. They never respect our ways”), spreading suspicions among her customers, Monti weighs speaking up, then acts: “Mrs. Sheep. Leo is very nice. Please do not talk that way.” As Leo, Monti, and their friend Carl Crow plan a Pocketville talent show, Monti continues to deftly handle Mrs. Sheep’s curmudgeonly ways while staying courteous and true to himself, and even sweet-talking Mrs. Sheep into participating. Thanks to Monti and Leo’s ability to see others’ gifts, the talent show is a great success. Digital panel drawings portray Pocketville’s anthropomorphized animal inhabitants with simple lines and soft colors. Sweet and genuine, Kantorovitz’s story models community building without a hint of preachiness. Ages 7–9. (Apr.)

School Library Journal (Mon Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

Gr 1–3— Pocketville is "a quiet little town" and the animal inhabitants "like it that way." When we meet Monti the Mole, he represents the "perfect routine" that they have created in their town and daily lives. One day when a stranger named Leo arrives, Monti and the others aren't sure how to handle "these strangers that never respect our ways." Through the chapter format and digitally rendered frames, readers follow along as Monti learns to find his voice to promote acceptance and understanding to even the loudest Pocketville citizen, Mrs. Sheep. The theme of friendship gets an upgrade in this tale that is rightfully dedicated "to anyone who's ever felt like a stranger." Kantorovitz covers a lot of territory with her characters and message in a format that works well as a beginner graphic novel. A natural color palette of light greens, blues, browns, and peaches is reminiscent of Arnold Lobel's companions, Frog and Toad, and matches well with the frequent unstructured frames that bleed onto the white background. A unique addition of early sketches is included for the back matter. VERDICT A story with a strong moral that represents a wide range of social and cultural talking points. Purchase where there is a need for beginner graphic novels, or for students who love any animal duo.— Danielle Schwessinger

Reviewing Agencies: - Find Other Reviewed Titles
Kirkus Reviews
Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)
School Library Journal (Mon Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2024)
Reading Level: 3.0
Interest Level: 2-5
Lexile: GN510L
Guided Reading Level: M
Fountas & Pinnell: M

A charming early reader in graphic form draws on the classic theme of friendship to show that being new—or different—doesn’t have to mean being lonely.

Pocketville is a small town, set in its ways, and the arrival of a stranger causes a stir. Monti the mole is stunned one morning to find Leo the lizard hogging his special reading rock. When Monti visits the bakery and the library, he learns that the last cinnamon roll has been purchased, and the book he was waiting for has been checked out. What’s a fastidious mole to do? When Monti confronts Leo, the newcomer turns out to be agreeable in the extreme, and friendship is a given. Now to convince the town’s cantankerous baker, Ms. Sheep, to stop turning everyone against Leo. Together, Monti and Leo hatch a plot that will have Ms. Sheep singing Leo’s praises in no time. This reassuring tale of friendship against the odds from the creator of the graphic memoir Sylvie draws on the author’s experiences as an immigrant and will appeal to anyone who has struggled to fit in in a new place.


*Prices subject to change without notice and listed in US dollars.
Perma-Bound bindings are unconditionally guaranteed (excludes textbook rebinding).
Paperbacks are not guaranteed.
Please Note: All Digital Material Sales Final.