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wolfiegrrrl's reviews
241 reviews
Muppets Meet the Classics: The Phantom of the Opera by Owen Richardson, Gaston Leroux, Erik Forrest Jackson
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This book showcases classic Muppet humor with a Phantom twist which manages to mix the vibes of both stories into a wonderfully nutty cocktail of gags and spooks. It works surprisingly well and I enjoyed it, but I also found myself wishing I could see this on the screen - then the visual gags described would at least have more of a punch to them. Overall, the parody elements and fourth-wall-breaking commentary on popular Phantom adaptations were a real treat that make this novel a worthy addition to my personal library, so I'd recommend it to anyone with a love for these two nostalgic properties and a healthy curiosity.
Content Warnings
Minor: Confinement, Death, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder
The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I was familiar with the animated movie adaptation long before I ever learned it had been based on a book, so I decided to read it out of curiosity. While I see the charm in the book, I do prefer the movie this time around.
The father swan is a difficult character to sympathize with. His sexism, ableism, and prejudice against other species is probably supposed to be an allusion to how humans interpret swans interacting with each other and view them as being prideful and majestic... but even some of the human characters agree with his sentiments, especially the many times Louis gets called "defective" for having no voice. It doesn't really do much for the attempted positive message of the book.
I also wasn't a fan of Sam Beaver being likened to an indigenous person because of his hair color and the way he walks. It's the first thing the book hits you with on page one and that particular brand of childlike romanticization of indigenous people that leaves a poor taste in your mouth keeps coming back despite having no reason for it to be there... and yet there it is, pervasively a part of the culture we're living in then and now, reminding us that the Hollywood stereotypes are still going strong.
Those details aside, I enjoyed the book well enough and I'm glad I got to experience it. It's a pretty neat book for kids who are interested in birds, as there is plenty of trivia throughout the story.
The father swan is a difficult character to sympathize with. His sexism, ableism, and prejudice against other species is probably supposed to be an allusion to how humans interpret swans interacting with each other and view them as being prideful and majestic... but even some of the human characters agree with his sentiments, especially the many times Louis gets called "defective" for having no voice. It doesn't really do much for the attempted positive message of the book.
I also wasn't a fan of Sam Beaver being likened to an indigenous person because of his hair color and the way he walks. It's the first thing the book hits you with on page one and that particular brand of childlike romanticization of indigenous people that leaves a poor taste in your mouth keeps coming back despite having no reason for it to be there... and yet there it is, pervasively a part of the culture we're living in then and now, reminding us that the Hollywood stereotypes are still going strong.
Those details aside, I enjoyed the book well enough and I'm glad I got to experience it. It's a pretty neat book for kids who are interested in birds, as there is plenty of trivia throughout the story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Sexism
Minor: Animal cruelty, Bullying, Gun violence, Self harm, Blood, Injury/Injury detail
Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I first read and fell in love with this sweet story about a very good dog whose presence helps a town cope with their sadness when I was in 4th grade, and I decided to revisit it years later as an adult to see if it still touched me the same way.
This slice of life deals with abandonment, loss of loved ones, the struggle to make friends, the complicated feelings that come from being uprooted and moving to a new place, and the loneliness of old age in a way that's comforting and easy to understand. There is also brief discussion about the effects prison, war, and addiction have on a person. It's not too much for a child to process and it's a sweet kind of melancholy to read as an adult.
This slice of life deals with abandonment, loss of loved ones, the struggle to make friends, the complicated feelings that come from being uprooted and moving to a new place, and the loneliness of old age in a way that's comforting and easy to understand. There is also brief discussion about the effects prison, war, and addiction have on a person. It's not too much for a child to process and it's a sweet kind of melancholy to read as an adult.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child death, Death, Slavery, Death of parent, Abandonment, War
Dino-Christmas by Lisa Wheeler
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.0
The Dino Holidays series is a fun addition to the Dino Sports universe. These books don't really do much to explain the reason for the holidays featured, instead focusing on some traditions that will be easily recognizable to children who celebrate them. The rhymes are simple and delightful but might go over the heads of some younger readers who are more interested in seeing what seasonal shenanigans the dinosaurs get up to.
Once again, the Pterodactyl Twins are back on that murder spree, nearly killing Apatosaurus and Troodon just in time for Sandy Claws to roll up to the Christmas parade with a sack of karmic retribution and their names on it. Unsurprisingly, this holiday is dedicated to the distribution of sports gear and equipment, making it a commercial affair. Considering how their entire dino society is supported by lavish sports festivals, they have to encourage consumerism somehow!
Dino-Halloween by Lisa Wheeler
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.0
The Dino Holidays series is a fun addition to the Dino Sports universe. These books don't really do much to explain the reason for the holidays featured, instead focusing on some traditions that will be easily recognizable to children who celebrate them. The rhymes are simple and delightful but might go over the heads of some younger readers who are more interested in seeing what seasonal shenanigans the dinosaurs get up to.
This time, Halloween prompts us to consider the fact that this dino society has a pop culture similar to our own. Star Trek, Spider-Man (Spider-Dino?), Beetlejuice, Frankenstein, and Doctor Who exist in the public consciousness alongside superheroes, clowns, and astronauts. Is space travel possible in their world or is it just a story they tell their children and daydream about? If they have reached the stars already, does that mean the space race happened? Some of these costumes also prove the existence of knights, ninjas, pirates, the Wild West, the navy, and a monarchy. There is clearly a rich history and many expansive dinosaur cultures that we are not yet privy to, and I am curious to know more.
This time, Halloween prompts us to consider the fact that this dino society has a pop culture similar to our own. Star Trek, Spider-Man (Spider-Dino?), Beetlejuice, Frankenstein, and Doctor Who exist in the public consciousness alongside superheroes, clowns, and astronauts. Is space travel possible in their world or is it just a story they tell their children and daydream about? If they have reached the stars already, does that mean the space race happened? Some of these costumes also prove the existence of knights, ninjas, pirates, the Wild West, the navy, and a monarchy. There is clearly a rich history and many expansive dinosaur cultures that we are not yet privy to, and I am curious to know more.
Dino-Easter by Lisa Wheeler
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.0
The Dino Holidays series is a fun addition to the Dino Sports universe. These books don't really do much to explain the reason for the holidays featured, instead focusing on some traditions that will be easily recognizable to children who celebrate them. The rhymes are simple and delightful but might go over the heads of some younger readers who are more interested in seeing what seasonal shenanigans the dinosaurs get up to.
This time, the sport of the season is a colorful egg hunt. Whose eggs are they eating and why did this become an annual tradition? They can't be dinosaur eggs, so perhaps this implies the existence of animal husbandry in their dinosaur society.
This time, the sport of the season is a colorful egg hunt. Whose eggs are they eating and why did this become an annual tradition? They can't be dinosaur eggs, so perhaps this implies the existence of animal husbandry in their dinosaur society.
O.B. by Asumiko Nakamura
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I didn't really think the detour into the fucked up lives of the creepy adults was strictly necessary, but I guess I shouldn't have expected anything else from this series.
Overall, I'm not a fan of the "jealous of youth" theme, which seems to be used as an excuse for pedophilia. Because oooooobviously these creepy adults are gonna be into high school boys because that's the height of youth and naturally will find them soooooooooo attractive because they too wish they could be young again. WRONG. BAD AND WRONG. STOP THIS. Ugh, I hate it.
At least this volume did kind of highlight some of the concerns people have about marriage and coming out when you're queer. I just can't praise it for that because of the disgusting stereotyping about gay men being pedophiles as though that's a "natural" thing; to go so far as to claim that it's because they're "troubled" is just... disgusting. (and hey I firmly believe that we as a society should make it less of a stigma for people who feel these compulsions to get the therapy they need to cope with it in a way that won't lead to them harming children, but the people who try to make pedophilia into an identity to be proud of is going too far....)
Overall, I'm not a fan of the "jealous of youth" theme, which seems to be used as an excuse for pedophilia. Because oooooobviously these creepy adults are gonna be into high school boys because that's the height of youth and naturally will find them soooooooooo attractive because they too wish they could be young again. WRONG. BAD AND WRONG. STOP THIS. Ugh, I hate it.
At least this volume did kind of highlight some of the concerns people have about marriage and coming out when you're queer. I just can't praise it for that because of the disgusting stereotyping about gay men being pedophiles as though that's a "natural" thing; to go so far as to claim that it's because they're "troubled" is just... disgusting. (and hey I firmly believe that we as a society should make it less of a stigma for people who feel these compulsions to get the therapy they need to cope with it in a way that won't lead to them harming children, but the people who try to make pedophilia into an identity to be proud of is going too far....)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Sexual content
Classmates Vol. 4: Sora and Hara by Asumiko Nakamura
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
"I have a policy of never touching students."
LIES! YOU DO NOT HAVE A POLICY OF NEVER TOUCHING STUDENTS BECAUSE YOU'VE DONE SO MULTIPLE TIMES, YOU CREEP!
Sora is too good and deserves better than this pedo. I'm so upset.
LIES! YOU DO NOT HAVE A POLICY OF NEVER TOUCHING STUDENTS BECAUSE YOU'VE DONE SO MULTIPLE TIMES, YOU CREEP!
Sora is too good and deserves better than this pedo. I'm so upset.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia
Classmates Vol. 3: Sotsu gyo sei (Spring) by Asumiko Nakamura
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I am so weak for the domestic moments Kusakabe and Sajou share. It was great getting to see how they came to terms with their relationship changing as they prepared to walk their own paths in life and figure out a place for each other in their plans for the future.
That being said, I'm not exactly a fan of boys negatively saying they're "acting like girls" or "turning into girls" just because they're dating boys and having emotions and caring about each other, as though boys can't also feel or act that way. It's really weird and unsettling the way I've seen it handled in manga like this, but... the story between these two kids is still very wholesome, so I can let it slide because it's not so bad that it comes across as sexist or fetish-y like in some other series I can think of.
That being said, I'm not exactly a fan of boys negatively saying they're "acting like girls" or "turning into girls" just because they're dating boys and having emotions and caring about each other, as though boys can't also feel or act that way. It's really weird and unsettling the way I've seen it handled in manga like this, but... the story between these two kids is still very wholesome, so I can let it slide because it's not so bad that it comes across as sexist or fetish-y like in some other series I can think of.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Sexual content, Grief
Classmates Vol. 2: Sotsu gyo sei (Winter) by Asumiko Nakamura
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I love Kusakabe's wholehearted dedication to bold gestures of affection. It contrasts so beautifully with Sajou's more shy and reserved manner. I have such a soft spot for the fluffy moments where they casually learn more about each other and, since I read this series to see them explore their relationship and steadily let each other deeper into their lives, I was disappointed to see that there was a heavier focus on the creepy teacher in this volume.
It doesn't sit well with me at all that most of the teachers in this series are apparently pedophiles, especially since it's treated as okay and normal by the story, and I'm really not a fan of the implications made about homosexuality there either. The incorrect stereotype pushed by bigots that pedophilia and homosexuality go hand in hand is gross, but it's particularly unsettling here when it gets used as a plot device to make the kids feel insecure in their relationship... and then they're told that that insecurity is stupid to feel because the pedophile "wasn't a threat" all along. That's so backwards and manipulative, and it's just played off as a funny little part of young love to feel jealous or worry that someone with clear power over you and your partner will use that power against you.
The only silver lining here is that the story still mostly focuses on Kusakabe and Sajou outside of all that, so I tried my best to ignore it and focus on the wholesome moments of their relationship instead.
It doesn't sit well with me at all that most of the teachers in this series are apparently pedophiles, especially since it's treated as okay and normal by the story, and I'm really not a fan of the implications made about homosexuality there either. The incorrect stereotype pushed by bigots that pedophilia and homosexuality go hand in hand is gross, but it's particularly unsettling here when it gets used as a plot device to make the kids feel insecure in their relationship... and then they're told that that insecurity is stupid to feel because the pedophile "wasn't a threat" all along. That's so backwards and manipulative, and it's just played off as a funny little part of young love to feel jealous or worry that someone with clear power over you and your partner will use that power against you.
The only silver lining here is that the story still mostly focuses on Kusakabe and Sajou outside of all that, so I tried my best to ignore it and focus on the wholesome moments of their relationship instead.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual content
Moderate: Cancer
Minor: Medical content, Grief