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mehsi's review
4.0
Received this book from Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review.
*EDIT*
I received a new copy from the publisher, because of the jumbled format of the copy I got from Netgalley.
So did the story make sense this time? Did it seem better?
Yes, yes it did. I finally understood what was happening, why the parents where turned like that, and what happened before they ended up on a train in the middle of nowhere. I really like the story, and because I finally can follow the story I will up my rating to 4 stars. However, I will stick to my point that the book could have been even better had it been longer. I feel like it was all a bit rushed. Yes we got explanations, but I think the journey, the trip, the before story could have been more fleshed out.
And also the same thing I said before goes for the ending, even with the story now intact, the ending was a bit weird. Everything is solved, yet there is still a problem and they are off again? So does that mean we get a book 2? Is this a series?
*END OF EDIT*
I also at times rate based on the format and how that looked, so hereby: this book gets -1 star. The ascm I received from Netgalley is all jumbled and mixed up. You start at page 8, then until ~40 it is ok, but after that you get random first pages (pages 1 to 8 are randomly found through the book), there are also some empty pages, and I am not sure if it was supposed to end like the way it did. I checked my ascm twice, even downloading it again, but sadly it was all jumbled and strange.
This sadly also caused me to lose track of the story even more than I already did. It seems like a nice story, but with all the jumbleness I am not even sure how everything started or how everything ended. Maybe it would have been better when everything was in order, but I think even then I would have been confused. The book is only 90 pages and you got quite a lot of story to stuff into it. The whole mom-dad changing into mice story, the magical toad, the witch and her problem, the goblins and their stuff. I think it would have been better if the book was longer.
I did like the main character, she was really interesting, though again, thanks to the jumbled pages I had no clue how she got into this mess. :) Still she is super brave and will do anything for her parents, but also for someone like the witch.
The illustrations are pretty gorgeous and remind me of another illustrators work. There are some page wide illustrations, which are absolutely lovely (like the one of the mountain, or of the witch her house).
The ending (maybe because of the jumbled stuff, though again, it was mostly the beginning part and some parts missing), was strange, weird and I am not even sure what happened. I know this is book one, but to end the book like that? No.
All in all, I wouldn't recommend the book. It was nice and fun, but the whole jumbled stuff, too much story in one small thing and the ending make me say that people might not enjoy it.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
*EDIT*
I received a new copy from the publisher, because of the jumbled format of the copy I got from Netgalley.
So did the story make sense this time? Did it seem better?
Yes, yes it did. I finally understood what was happening, why the parents where turned like that, and what happened before they ended up on a train in the middle of nowhere. I really like the story, and because I finally can follow the story I will up my rating to 4 stars. However, I will stick to my point that the book could have been even better had it been longer. I feel like it was all a bit rushed. Yes we got explanations, but I think the journey, the trip, the before story could have been more fleshed out.
And also the same thing I said before goes for the ending, even with the story now intact, the ending was a bit weird. Everything is solved, yet there is still a problem and they are off again? So does that mean we get a book 2? Is this a series?
*END OF EDIT*
I also at times rate based on the format and how that looked, so hereby: this book gets -1 star. The ascm I received from Netgalley is all jumbled and mixed up. You start at page 8, then until ~40 it is ok, but after that you get random first pages (pages 1 to 8 are randomly found through the book), there are also some empty pages, and I am not sure if it was supposed to end like the way it did. I checked my ascm twice, even downloading it again, but sadly it was all jumbled and strange.
This sadly also caused me to lose track of the story even more than I already did. It seems like a nice story, but with all the jumbleness I am not even sure how everything started or how everything ended. Maybe it would have been better when everything was in order, but I think even then I would have been confused. The book is only 90 pages and you got quite a lot of story to stuff into it. The whole mom-dad changing into mice story, the magical toad, the witch and her problem, the goblins and their stuff. I think it would have been better if the book was longer.
I did like the main character, she was really interesting, though again, thanks to the jumbled pages I had no clue how she got into this mess. :) Still she is super brave and will do anything for her parents, but also for someone like the witch.
The illustrations are pretty gorgeous and remind me of another illustrators work. There are some page wide illustrations, which are absolutely lovely (like the one of the mountain, or of the witch her house).
The ending (maybe because of the jumbled stuff, though again, it was mostly the beginning part and some parts missing), was strange, weird and I am not even sure what happened. I know this is book one, but to end the book like that? No.
All in all, I wouldn't recommend the book. It was nice and fun, but the whole jumbled stuff, too much story in one small thing and the ending make me say that people might not enjoy it.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
geekwayne's review
4.0
'Maddy Kettle: The Adventure of the Thimblewitch' is a children's story told in graphic novel form. It's my favorite type of children's story because the main character is brave and the story is full of whimsy and wonder.
Maddy works with her parents in their bookstore until they are visited by the Thimblewitch and her parents are changed. Maddy sets out on an adventure to set things right. She meets amazing creatures that help her. She makes friends that help her. She is brave in the face of scary things.
Maddy is a great character. The world she inhabits is also, with talking animals, cloud castles and spider-goblins. The art and story by Eric Orchard are great and I think it would work as a read aloud story or a read alone story for kids between 5 and 7.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Diamond Book Distributors and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this delightful graphic novel.
Maddy works with her parents in their bookstore until they are visited by the Thimblewitch and her parents are changed. Maddy sets out on an adventure to set things right. She meets amazing creatures that help her. She makes friends that help her. She is brave in the face of scary things.
Maddy is a great character. The world she inhabits is also, with talking animals, cloud castles and spider-goblins. The art and story by Eric Orchard are great and I think it would work as a read aloud story or a read alone story for kids between 5 and 7.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Diamond Book Distributors and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this delightful graphic novel.
sparklethenpop's review
4.0
I LOVED the pictures. The story was simple enough to hook beginning readers. Can't wait to see where Maddy heads next time.
hellocookie's review
4.0
Maddy Kettle is a delightful story written and illustrated by Eric Orchard following the tale of a young girl trying to find a way to return her parents back to their human form after they're turned into rodents. One thing leads to another and sets Maddy off on a series of adventures that could easily leap from these pages into another book and another.
The story is told in a simple comic book form that is excellent for introducing new and young readers to the format. Orchard's panels are straightforward and easy to follow, allowing you to get the hang of the way they work. The story itself is obviously geared towards a younger audience that will thoroughly enjoy what's in front of them from the beautiful art (incredibly detailed line art and vivid colours) to the bravery of a girl who steps up to make things right.
Maddy Kettle is an enchanting and wonderful read for boys and girls. Highly recommended.
The story is told in a simple comic book form that is excellent for introducing new and young readers to the format. Orchard's panels are straightforward and easy to follow, allowing you to get the hang of the way they work. The story itself is obviously geared towards a younger audience that will thoroughly enjoy what's in front of them from the beautiful art (incredibly detailed line art and vivid colours) to the bravery of a girl who steps up to make things right.
Maddy Kettle is an enchanting and wonderful read for boys and girls. Highly recommended.
kice7788's review
2.0
this one was a little weird for me...the drawings were awkward and the story skipped a lot and didnt flow well but the graphic was enjoyable and quick so I gave it 2 stars.
kelleemoye's review
4.0
Maddy Kettle: The Adventure of the Thimble Witch is a Coraline-esque tone/mood with a mix of Wizard of Oz and Miyazaki. The illustrations were a bit messy, but in a purposeful way that made everything feel urgent. I am looking forward to the sequel.
mehitabels's review
3.0
sweet. Too short, seemed to be missing the middle section of the story, but still enjoyable. Not a taxing story, for my seven-year-old. Great art.
saidtheraina's review
4.0
This should be a bigger deal.
Beautiful saturated illustrations depicting a unique world. Orchard combines elements of steampunk, animal adventure, and just a touch of creepy, in a story about a kid trying to save her parents. There are fun/surprising gadgets, quirky landscapes, and lots of frameable panels.
Give it to kids who like [b: Zita the Spacegirl|8879121|Zita the Spacegirl (Zita the Spacegirl, #1)|Ben Hatke|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388260704s/8879121.jpg|13754899], [b: Hildafolk|9700137|Hildafolk|Luke Pearson|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1334275520s/9700137.jpg|14588317], and [b: Coraline|17061|Coraline|Neil Gaiman|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327871014s/17061.jpg|2834844].
I might take it to elementary schools, but this is a somewhat crowded field.
Beautiful saturated illustrations depicting a unique world. Orchard combines elements of steampunk, animal adventure, and just a touch of creepy, in a story about a kid trying to save her parents. There are fun/surprising gadgets, quirky landscapes, and lots of frameable panels.
Give it to kids who like [b: Zita the Spacegirl|8879121|Zita the Spacegirl (Zita the Spacegirl, #1)|Ben Hatke|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388260704s/8879121.jpg|13754899], [b: Hildafolk|9700137|Hildafolk|Luke Pearson|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1334275520s/9700137.jpg|14588317], and [b: Coraline|17061|Coraline|Neil Gaiman|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327871014s/17061.jpg|2834844].
I might take it to elementary schools, but this is a somewhat crowded field.