Customer Reviews

Silly Lilly and the Four Seasons

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This time around I'm reviewing the first three books published in this series of graphic novels for emergent readers. The struggling reader (8yo) enjoyed the others so much we went out and bought the first three. So he has now read the entire line of Toon Books and anxiously awaits the publication of the next set.

They are around 30-odd pages each.

This is the easiest of the first three books. Simple words, large letters and divided into five parts as Lilly enjoys each season of the year, starting and ending with Spring. My struggling reader had no problems reading this book at all. The illustrations are really cute too!

Highly recommend any one of the 8 books in this series published so far.

Like all Toon Books, the first thing you'll notice about Silly Lilly is the beautiful presentation of this exquisite hardback with sumptuous design. Louise (my dear wife) and Molly (aged 9) read this one first and both really enjoyed it. Louise was particularly taken with it and said it really reminded her of the sorts of books she remembers from her childhood. Having read it later myself I have to concur with these two esteemed judges of great books. Silly Lilly is just delightful, simple words and clear art that just entrance readers young and old.

The Silly Lilly character is based on Rosenstiehl's "Mimi Cracra" character published for years in her native France and is a masterfully simple tale. Or rather a series of five tales, cycling through the seasons, beginning and ending with spring. Each season takes just five pages including the title page, but that's enough, as the energetic and graceful Lilly dances her way across the pages, playing in the park with Teddy, exploring the beach, tasting apples in the fall, playing in the snow and finally flying on a swing. Each tale focuses on one simple thing,but does so in such a way that a child can find a real bond with this fun little girl.

The economy of story-telling is perfect for the age group with each page just two large panels, of clear black line and a subtle watercolour texture on the minimalist backgrounds. The language is as minimal as the backgrounds, never too difficult and with each sentence ending with an exclamation mark, it's a fun, fast read.

It's quite the perfect book for an emerging reader and, as discovered by Louise, one that may have as much appeal to an older audience, who'll see a nostalgic look back to the simple picture books of their childhood. Either way, it's quite lovely.

Silly Lilly is a adventurous little girl who skips through the seasons. Hopefully, this book will inspire young readers to explore the outdoors instead of sitting inside with their computers and video games!!

I love Lilly's outfits!

I have a four year old who is learning about the four seasons in pre-school and was looking for a compliment to the unit. Liked this book because it was a different format ie. cartoon like. The message or storyline was not exciting or as 'cute' as described. I would say it was flat and did not hold my daughters interest even though the main character and she share the same name.

Silly Lilly is a very basic comic book designed for early readers. The text is simple and relies on lots of repetition, and the pictures are also repetitious: Each two-page spread contains four panels, with Lilly in the center of each one, performing simple actions appropriate to the seasons--wading in the sea, eating apples, etc.

The pages and layouts have a very uniform look to them. Each panel is an upright rectangle containing a full-body shot of Lilly, a horizon line, a speech balloon, and a few objects that are germane to the story (teddy bears, apples, etc.). There are no close-ups or shifts in point of view; it's almost like looking at a set of playing cards spread on the table. To the adult eye, this monotony is off-putting; it makes the book seem contrived and stiff. (Lucy's standard pose, torso facing front and head facing to the side like an Egyptian painting, doesn't help.)

For young readers, however, the simplicity may be a plus. There are few distractions from the text, and the rhythm of repeated panels is reassuring. The text is very simple, fewer than 10 words per speech balloon and only one balloon per panel, with plenty of repetition.

Each of the five chapters opens with a title panel, leaving seven panels to tell the story. Not surprisingly, the stories are very simple: Lilly discusses what she likes to do in the park; Lilly throws snowballs and hits her teddy bear; Lilly climbs on a swing, loses her balance, and then swings. Again, boring for the adult but simple enough to be pleasing to a child who is just mastering reading, as each chapter will feel like an accomplishment.

Other than chapter titles, there is only one type of text in this book: Lucy's comments, which are all in word balloons, just as in other comics. The words and the artwork together to tell the story--the pictures alone won't suffice.

Rosenstiehl's art is simple and almost Art Deco in style; shapes are simple, colors are unmodulated and bounded by heavy lines. This rather cool style holds the reader at arm's length but also gives the book a simple, pleasing, and timeless look.

Silly Lilly and the Four Seasons is neither a laugh riot nor a thrill a minute, but the simple shapes and straightforward stories may be just right for an early reader for whom just being able to read an entire story is thrill enough.

-- Brigid Alverson

Lilly really moves across the page! The motion of this little book is incredible. Lilly makes cute and funny observations, and gets even braver and more adventurous as the year (and the book) moves on. There are some great words for a child to learn like "jump" and "dance" while they experience the seasons and fall in love with little Lilly.

Silly Lilly brings you back to the most fulfilling moments in childhood, when playing outside and having a curiosity for all that you encountered would occupy your day. Rosenstiehl captures the beauty of a child's observations and appreciation for the seasons. The illustrations are beautifully textured, as though the original watercolor was on the page right before you.

Silly Lilly is a wonderfully illustrated comic for young child. The springy little girl makes simple observations about the change in seasons, but the book itself is quite innovative! Young children will understand the passage of time visually AND literally. The book allows children to develop visual literacy- a vital skill for any young reader!

Any other childrens book is likely a better choice. Dont buy this like I did. I got tricked while trying for a comic book themed christmas gifts for my neices and nephews. See how many times this appears on listmania lists (zero) if you don't believe me.