Yakari and the Grizzly (Yakari)

Yakari, v.4: Yakari And The Grizzly" Created by Job & Derib Translated by Erica Jeffrey (Cinebooks) --------------------------------------------------- This is the fourth translated volume of a delightful European graphic novel series that stars a kind-hearted, earnest young Sioux boy named Yakari, who sees the spirit world with help from his protector totem, the Great Eagle. Great Eagle reveals to Yakari that he has the gift of being able to speak with animals, and while the adults in his tribe don't know about this gift, soon one of his friends, a girl named Rainbow, realizes that Yakari has a special relationship to nature. Here, Yakari confronts a tyrannical, massively powerful bear... While out in the forest, Yakari and Little Thunder meet with beavers and other animals that plead with them to help find their missing relatives. It turns out that they have been abducted and enslaved by a gluttonous, lazy grizzly bear who lives high in the mountains, and who has no problem bullying other animals into gathering his food for them. The terrified animals beg Yakari not to interfere, but always loyal to his friends, he does, and his solution to a seemingly unsolvable problem is ingenious and surprising. One of the more action-packed Yakari adventures, and definitely a good read. All in all, this is a wonderful series for younger readers, full of magical scenarios, natural splendor and earnest moral values. Yakari is always a hard worker and a true friend; he endeavors to improve the world around him, and his honesty and loyalty are repaid by the various animals as well as by the spirit world. Plus, Derib's artwork is a delight: his panoramic landscapes, in particular, evoke a sense of true wonder. Highly recommended -- by the time you make it to this book, you'll be hooked! (ReadThatAgain children's book reviews)

This whole series is good. Each graphic novel has a message of doing the right thing without being to obvious about it. My kids loves comic books and both if them really liked this whole series.

Don't get me wrong. I personally think Yakari is a wonderful series, but I suspect it might be a little challenging for a four-year-old reader. I mean, sure, maybe little Harris isn't the sharpest tack in the preschool, but I found that I had to explain a lot more words than usual when we read this one at storytime. There were the usual questions like "What's a bear?" but I also had to explain things like chaps and the entire concept of a spirit animal power top. I don't think I'm a prude and, hey, maybe this is just par for the course in Belgium, but now I don't know if any books in the series are really suitable for storytime. I guess we'll take our chances with "Yakari and the Beavers" next week and then move on to "Yakari Meets a Cougar" and "Yakari and the Bareback Bronco."

This book is disappointing because is not much text so not much of a story to read. It's mainly just pictures