This series gives the youngest children and beginning readers graphic novels of their own that handle real family situations with charm, humour, and just the right point of view for the age group.
Ginger the fox is amazed by the Wild Cat, an acrobat visiting the forest. When the Wild Cat has hurtful words for her, she questions whether she's good at being a fox—the start of a lesson about belonging. Soon she meets new foxes, who encourage her. Meanwhile, the badger siblings in her blended family plan a prank on the rude Wild Cat and his fellow performers.
- Spells out complicated family situations for the youngest readers.
- Watercolor art is a charming mix of picture book and graphic novel sensibilities.
- Just right for reading aloud; sequential art helps children read on their own.
About the Author
Brigitte Luciani was born in Hanover, Germany. After getting her masters degree in literature, she worked in a variety of jobs including journalism, editing, and photo research. In 1994 she moved to France, where she began writing books for kids and adults. Around the same time, she first discovered graphic novels and marveled at the possibilities of a format that has been neglected in Germany.
After a long time searching for the perfect collaborators for a foray into comics, she teamed up with the artist Colonel Moutarde on
l'Espace d'un soir, Comédie d'amour, and
Histoires cachées (Delcourt) and with Eve Tharlet for the Monsieur Blaireau et Madame Renarde series (Dargaud).
About the Illustrator
Eve Tharlet was born in Alsace but grew up in Germany. She took courses in printmaking and screen-printing in Berlin then continued her studies in illustration in Strasbourg. She has worked in all types of illustration for children, including miniature books and calendars, games and magazines, schoolbooks and classic fairy tales. In twenty years, she has illustrated more than 150 books for children.
She is married and has two sons and now lives in the hilly countryside of Brittany.
Industry Reviews
A fox longs to be the cat's meow. Ginger, a cheery orange fox who is part of a blended badger/fox family, hears rather exciting news: Sylvester the Wild Cat will be performing that evening. Sylvester is a round gray cat with a ringed tail, a bright yellow mask, and significant acrobatic ability. Ginger inquires as to what makes Sylvester 'wild' when he looks like any other cat and is enthusiastically told that he is 'stronger . . . bigger . . . and flashy!' At the show, Ginger is enchanted and yearns to climb trees as nimbly as the fleet-footed feline. Unfortunately, she is ridiculed for her species-defying aspiration. Dismayed, she receives encouragement from her largely absentee father and learns that Sylvester may not be as wild as he seems. Evinced through warm and whimsical watercolors, Luciani and Tharlet's lovely graphic offering feels as snug and familiar as a Beatrix Potter tale but adds a modern spin with its emphasis on being true to oneself. Vulpine Ginger is taunted for being different in many ways, from how she lives to what she desires; young readers should find the treatment of this theme easily accessible but not preachy or saccharine. Even though this is the sixth installment in the series, this self-contained story is a fine jumping-in point. A sweet and gentle tale of self-affirmation.--Kirkus Reviews
-- "Journal"
Little fox Ginger has a bad case of imposter syndrome. She and her mom live in a burrow with some badgers, making her worried she isn't a real fox anymore. It doesn't help that she's scorned by everyone's idol, Sylvester the Wild Cat, who dubs Ginger 'Reee-diculous' and tells her that her absent dad would be ashamed of her. Ginger is despondent until she finds acceptance and learns that Sylvester is a little less exceptional than at first glance. While readers might need some help following the scene changes, Tharlet's illustrations of expressive woodland animal friends and Luciani's misfit-finds-love theme work well together. VERDICT A solid choice for those who are ready for a graphic novel-type picture book but not quite ready for Dav Pilkey's Dogman.--School Library Journal
-- "Journal"
