  | Full Text Reviews: School Library Journal - 05/01/2017 Gr 4–6—Lint Boy and Lint Bear are dolls made of odds and ends collected together in a clothes dryer. They live happily in their comfy home until a doll-hating old lady kidnaps Lint Bear. Lint Boy now has to rescue his friend and all the other dolls who have been imprisoned by the evil old woman. In the style of a dark fairy tale, the artwork is charming—soft watercolors, done in a muted palette, enhance the cute but creepy feel of the book. The dolls, by their very nature, are somewhat wooden in appearance and attitude, but they are lovely to look at, and the fiery villain and her nasty dog more than make up for any lack of emotion in the toys. A major drawback, however, is the tangle of the story time lines—chapters jump around from present to past, making the panel flow confusing. This title is meant to be an amusing modern fable of the importance of champions—no matter their size—and the power of teamwork. It certainly has all the required elements to captivate its target audience, but only if young readers are able to unravel the complexities of the plot. VERDICT For more sophisticated graphic novel readers.—Kelley Gile, Cheshire Public Library, CT - Copyright 2017 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Booklist - 06/01/2017 What do you get when you cross five buttons and a “pluck of wool” with lots—and lots—of lint? Two button-eyed brothers, of course! Dwelling in the back of an old dryer, Lint Boy and Lint Bear are inseparable. But when the wrinkled hand of notorious toy torturer Mrs. PinchnSqueeze snatches Lint Bear from safety, Lint Boy must brave the unknown to stage a daring rescue. Though Leijten’s (Hugging Hour! 2009) short sentences and snippets of fast-paced dialogue are sure to seize the attention of early readers, the story’s eccentric ambiance and smattering of dark asides should enchant older crowds, too. Similarly, Leijten’s eerie yet elegant illustrations, from her band of bedraggled dolls to the cages that hold them, straddle the line between childlike wonder and downright dread. All the while, vintage white pages, ornately framed panels, and a glowing blend of watercolors lend this offbeat adventure the cozy familiarity of a favorite fairy tale. A heartwarming take on teamwork that’ll have those who are not easily frightened searching their lint traps for more magic. - Copyright 2017 Booklist. Loading...
 |