MODULE 13: GRAPHIC NOVELS AND SERIES BOOKS
November 23-30
Sea Dogs: An Epic Ocean Operetta
By: Lisa Wheeler
Ages 7-12
Summary:
This graphic novel is almost a story within a story, as the reader becomes a member of the audience watching an operetta unfold on the stage in front of them. It tells the tale of an old sea captain who longs for one last voyage on the sea. He gathers up a small crew and takes to the high seas when his ship is overtaken by a gang of vicious pirates. The pirates steal everything on board but manage to drop a treasure map and a young puppy in the process. The captain's crew set sail to capture the treasure, and run into the angry pirates once again. In the end the captain grows to love the stowaway and quickly realizes that he is ready for a real home.
My Impressions:
This is a wonderful story that is full of humor, and detailed drawings. The story is cute and very entertaining. The reader gets caught up in the story which is familiar, but still different because this time around the characters are dogs. The graphics are excellent, colorful, and well done. Although the suggested age for this book is elementary and early middle school readers, I believe that older readers would really enjoy this story as well. I especially like how it is technically a graphic novel, but still feels like a book. This duality provides for an interesting experience for the reader.
Reviews:
"This unusual book scores in both its design and commitment to fun. Young readers will revel in the light-hearted language (as when the dachshund laments his job as cook, “Doggone it! I am meant for more than sausage links and kibble.”). As the cast takes their curtain call, the puppy from the first page is literally standing on her seat to applaud. The story comes full circle as she, in a post-theater glow, imagines herself starring in all the roles."-CCBC (Cooperative Children’s Book Center Choices, 2005)
Lesson Plans:
This graphic novel provides a great opportunity for creativity in students. It could make an excellent stage presentation, and students would really enjoy learning and performing the humorous poems. Students could be encouraged to create their own tunes and music to the poems as they are written in a very lyrical and musical way. Students would also enjoy creating their own operettas with accompanying drawings and graphics.
Cooperative Children’s Book Center Choices. "Children's Literature Reviews: Sea Dogs: An Epic Ocean Operetta." Children's Literature Comprehensive Database. December 13, 2009.
Wheeler, Lisa. Sea Dogs: An Epic Ocean Operetta. New York: Simon & Schuster , 2004.
This graphic novel is almost a story within a story, as the reader becomes a member of the audience watching an operetta unfold on the stage in front of them. It tells the tale of an old sea captain who longs for one last voyage on the sea. He gathers up a small crew and takes to the high seas when his ship is overtaken by a gang of vicious pirates. The pirates steal everything on board but manage to drop a treasure map and a young puppy in the process. The captain's crew set sail to capture the treasure, and run into the angry pirates once again. In the end the captain grows to love the stowaway and quickly realizes that he is ready for a real home.
My Impressions:
This is a wonderful story that is full of humor, and detailed drawings. The story is cute and very entertaining. The reader gets caught up in the story which is familiar, but still different because this time around the characters are dogs. The graphics are excellent, colorful, and well done. Although the suggested age for this book is elementary and early middle school readers, I believe that older readers would really enjoy this story as well. I especially like how it is technically a graphic novel, but still feels like a book. This duality provides for an interesting experience for the reader.
Reviews:
"This unusual book scores in both its design and commitment to fun. Young readers will revel in the light-hearted language (as when the dachshund laments his job as cook, “Doggone it! I am meant for more than sausage links and kibble.”). As the cast takes their curtain call, the puppy from the first page is literally standing on her seat to applaud. The story comes full circle as she, in a post-theater glow, imagines herself starring in all the roles."-CCBC (Cooperative Children’s Book Center Choices, 2005)
Lesson Plans:
This graphic novel provides a great opportunity for creativity in students. It could make an excellent stage presentation, and students would really enjoy learning and performing the humorous poems. Students could be encouraged to create their own tunes and music to the poems as they are written in a very lyrical and musical way. Students would also enjoy creating their own operettas with accompanying drawings and graphics.
Cooperative Children’s Book Center Choices. "Children's Literature Reviews: Sea Dogs: An Epic Ocean Operetta." Children's Literature Comprehensive Database. December 13, 2009.
Wheeler, Lisa. Sea Dogs: An Epic Ocean Operetta. New York: Simon & Schuster , 2004.
No comments:
Post a Comment