Customer Reviews

Travels of Thelonious (Fog Mound)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Thelonious is wonderfully illustrated with great care, detail and imagination. That, together with the humor, originality and pace of the story, which works well on both the cartoon pages and the text pages, has my nine-year old completely fascinated and captivated. A terrific encouragement to young readers. More of this please -- my child and I are eagerly awaiting the further volumes.

There's nothing I love more than a good post-apocalyptic children's book. Your "Eva"s. Your "Z is For Zachariah"s. You know what else I love? Cute woodland creature books. Things like "Poppy" and "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH". Gosh, wouldn't it be swell if we could combine those two things into one great big post-apocalyptic furry woodland creature story? Bambi meets Logan's Run. Well now there is an answer to my prayers in the form of "The Travels of Thelonious". The second children's book to come out this year with the name "Thelonious" in its title ("Thelonious Monster and the Sky-High Fly-Pie" was the other), Susan Schade and Jon Buller have brought us an odd but amusing little tale of talking chipmunks, bears with thumbs, and a world post-human beings. Part graphic novel, part prose, this is one of those titles that bridges genres and may well get twice the readership as a result.

You can't tell Thelonious the chipmunk that the Human Occupation was a myth. Though his sister Dolores mocks him incessantly for it, Thelonious is convinced that humans were once real. As proof he owns a postcard of a skyscraper which he believes was an honest-to-goodness human creation. Soon, however, Thelonious is able to see firsthand what a human city must have looked like. One day a particularly violent rainstorm picks up Thelonious's tree home and deposits him in the midst of a dirty run-down and dangerous city. Once there he meets a shifty lizard who wants to sell the little chipmunk to the local despot, The Dragon Lady (less "Terry and the Pirates" and more komodo). He also comes across a porcupine with a penchant for human books and a bear named Olive who has harnessed the power of flight. Now chipmunk, porcupine, bear, and even lizard are going to try to make it back to Olive's idyllic home at the top of the Fog Mound. It will take their respective skills and talents to get there, but the trip will certainly be worth it.

The idea of making a book part graphic novel and part, um, novel novel is not a new idea. With the ever-rising popularity of comics in bookstores and libraries alike, publishers are slowly realizing that this may well be a smart way to go. For those parents who would like their kids to branch out a little, books like "The Travels of Thelonious", come as welcome crossover titles. Whenever the text ends and the pictures begin, those same pictures continue the story along rather than bogging it down.

Yes, but is it any good? Actually it is. For such a dark concept (all the humans, save one, are dead dead deadski) the book moves at a fast and cheery clip. Schade is clever enough to slowly parcel out the information as we come to it. In this way, then, we learn that some animals have gained the power of speech while others still cannot. We also discover that many creatures have grown opposable thumbs and that the Fog Mound is as idyllic as it is because some concerned human(s?) made it that way. The writing itself isn't going to blow you away. It's good for what it is (the first of many future adventure tales apparently) but nothing so deep as "Watership Down" or "The Wind In the Willows". Consider it "The White Mountains" for younger kiddies.

As for the art, I liked what I saw of Buller's style. Chipmunks in general aren't overly expressive characters, but Thelonious is a delightful hero. Also, while I can think of many many mouse and rat heroes of children's literature, chipmunks are few and far between. Buller takes a great deal of care with his characters and settings. The style is fairly cartoony but with plenty of details as well. Also, I was impressed by how well he strategically presented the one naked human the animals come across later in the story.

I mean, I wouldn't go shouting its name to the hilltops, but for a book that's a lot of fun for a wide range of child readers, this first adventure in "The Travels of Thelonious", comes across as a worthy read. This may well be one of those rare titles that attracts both hard-core reader fans of books like the "Redwall" series AND the "Captain Underpants" / "Babymouse" reluctant reader crowd. All the fun of reading a graphic novel with the rewards of simple prose.

They say the book is for Ages: 8 - 12 and Grades: 3 - 7 . But when I spotted this book in the bookstore I immediately wanted to pick it up and read it for myself ! For one, the illustrations (especially the cover) were beautiful! It reminded of the retro children's books of my day (well Im 24) I think this book is colorful and adventurous and humorous for even adults to enjoy (especially if you're a child @ heart) and we all can learn something from these talking animals ! The cliffhanger at the end was nice .. I cant wait to read book 2 ! I didnt know this book just came out this month. So Im now a fan in anticipation ! lol
My boyfriend couldnt wait til finished the book to him so he went and got his own copy too lol.

I purchased this book and its two sequels for my ten-year-old nephew, who can read fairly well but is not enthusiastic about reading. He liked the books well enough, but I wondered if they would get him to read. Well, today I got his thank-you note, and he is already on the second book of the series! I think the format is what draws in reluctant readers: he likes the text, but the comic part really turns him on. I look forward to the next book in the series.

Excellent book and series for the younger reader. An adult could read the entire book in about an hour or two max.

One of the things I like most is the lack of fantasy. Sure much of the story is fantastic and the science is minimal, but nobody is pulling out a spell and whipping up some magic.

Much of the current science fiction has given way to fantasy with good luck charms, witches, magic, and what have you. It's nice to enjoy a book that wasn't influenced by Harry Potter and the many fantasy writers.

The series, in a way, reminds me of a Carl Bark's Uncle Scrooge adventure. It has the charm and style of something written 40 years ago. The art is reminiscent of the late great American artist, Basil Wolverton.

Since it is part-comic and part-book, it is a gateway book for young readers. I have given this series to several kids including my own and they loved the adventure.

It is a refreshing, far-fetched adventure that readers of all ages will enjoy.

Just as a recommendation, buy the hardback. It doesn't cost much more (unless it's out of print) and will be more durable over the years. But, factor in that after this first book, your young reader will be asking for the next two books.

Remember the scene in 12 Monkeys when Bruce Willis went up into the "real" world and took samples from what used to be modern day New York City - remember that the planet was seemingly taken over by animals, and that was the ultimate root of concern for our human existence? Do you remember? It was a wild concept that has only been briefly touched in a handful of other films, but finally, the envelope is opened in a cross-over graphic novel/young adult story that bends the mirror of existence while leaving you licking your lips for more. By mere chance I picked up this opening volume excited about the end of humankind, but also about flipping the page to both illustrations and story. This book reminded me of a cross between those "Illustrated Classics" and the most recent young adult story (which should sweep the nation), "The Inventions of Hugo Cabaret" by Brian Selznick. While it is not as developed as Selznick's work is, what makes this story work is the unique combination of graphic novel form and modern storytelling. It allows you to see the work, as well as read into the character's minds and emotions. As graphic novels become a stronger medium in our culture, I believe these books are going to become more common place, so open your eyes, and begin your journey with the small, yet vibrant, Thelonious Squirrel.

"The Fog Mound" does pull from common storybook clichés from the moment it opens, but still is successful with pulling the reader deep into the unknown. With our unknown heroine attempting to lay the foundation of the story by describing his excitement behind learning the legends of why humans no longer exist on planet Earth provides us with a creepy feeling of a post-apocalyptic world. What we would take for granted, our hero, Thelonious believes to be nothing more than honest "fairy tales". As he tries to convince others, a storm comes through which washes him to a neighboring town that was once a huge infrastructure of modern civility. Thelonious is lost, bewildered by the sights, scared beyond his wildest dreams, and nearly becomes a slave to the Lizard Queen, until he meets up with a fellow friend named Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald is a porcupine that welcomes Thelonious into his home, a warm bed, and some canned food. Thelonious is grateful, and begins to read some of the books in Fitzgerald's home out of sheer curiousness. He learns of a bear with a flying machine that may get him closer to being home. That bear is Olive, a native of the Fog Mound that is attempting to return home. The three decide to make the pilgrimage together, and with the clueing eye of Thelonious, they discover a map that will make them all happy.

Alas, disaster strikes, the map goes up in flames, and all these displaced mammals have to show for is the kindness from a peculiar stranger named Brown. Brown is a lizard that has just happened to show up at the most opportune times. With a destroyed human city behind them, the band of motley heroes continue their journey back home - which leads to some suspenseful surprises and a cliff-hanger that will keep you guessing in waiting until the author decides to release the next chapter. Arg - this is where a time machine would be helpful.

Through a stumbled mess I found this book and I couldn't be happier. It is very juvenile story with events happening with massive doses of coincidence and convenience, while the threat of actual danger seems to be candy coated more-so than in other stories of this nature, but this reader loved every turning page. For an adult, this story should only take about an hour to finish, but it is because the story consumes every part of you. I found myself turning the pages faster near the end as I attempted to put whatever pieces of the puzzle may be found. What makes this story stand out is the simplistic nature of both our heroines and their plight. It has the potential to evolve, a major struggle most books of this nature cannot seem to grasp, and it is a bleak story. Something has happened to the human race, and it hints towards several possibilities that are relevant in today's society, and without a direct answer it is frightening. The last couple of chapters will further confuse you on possibilities and theories, but it is that second-guessing that makes you enjoy this book from front to back.

Overall, I cannot give this book enough praise. While I can see where most of the pitfalls are for this story (i.e. the lack of depth surrounding our central story), for me it was more than just that. The cross between graphic novel and story was brilliant. The illustrations weren't gorgeous, but they did the job. In fact, I looked forward to the graphic novel elements the most because it helped solidify my thoughts of what was happening to our characters, as well as seeing their environment. I strongly suggest this book to parents that want to read to their kids, to those experimenting with the idea of "good" graphic novels, and to a wide range of children/young adults. This is a crossover series that I believe has the potential for greatness. I look forward to Thelonious, Fitzgerald, and Olive in their next adventure, oh, and also Brown!

Grade: ***** out of *****

I have two children ages six and nine. Both are on a third-grade reading level and both love comic books. I bought this book because I wanted to give them more reading material while keeping the comic book component. Both are enjoying the book. It is age appropriate without bringing in adult elements.

We discovered this book today at the library and read it in one full swoop, and it is fantastic and sweet and exciting. The graphics added to his enjoyment enormously. He is just starting to read, but I read 98% of the book out loud with him in one hour and forty-five minutes, and we will read it again and again. This is a book we will actually purchase along with the new one (volume two). And we will wait anxiously for volume three to hurry up and arrive. We have already loved and read all of Capt Underpants and all of the Magic Tree House books. We are thrilled to discover this brilliant adventure.