Snug Harbor Stories

July 1, 2019
In this sophomore volume of collected comic strips (Wallace the Brave, 2017), three friends embark upon outdoorsy, giggleworthy escapades. In sleepy Snug Harbor, Rhode Island, Wallace lives with his family: his fisherman father, mischievous little brother, and (mostly) patient mother. He spends his days joined by his friends, spunky, orange-tressed Amelia and square-headed Spud, who has a kewpie curl of lavender spiky hair. In a series of loosely strung vignettes, readers follow Wallace through a year, hitting kid-anticipated milestones such as summer vacation, Halloween, and Christmas. Despite a contemporary setting where electronics in the form of game consoles and smartphones are present, Wallace and his gang spend most of their time outdoors, powered by their imaginations in their small enclave, giving this a pleasant throwback feel and spotlighting lives unencumbered by both technology and overscheduling. Each page is populated with a few large, bright, full-color panels with a gentle emphasis on family and friendship. Expect fans of Lincoln Peirce's Big Nate series to find kinship here. In the small cast of characters, Wallace, his family, and his friends all present white, although his teacher, Mrs. Macintosh, has brown skin. Included aftermatter encourages young readers to engage in their own nature-inspired crafts with instructions for making a winter mobile and a DIY field book. Gentle guffaws abound in this bucolic charmer. (Graphic fiction. 7-12)

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November 15, 2019

Gr 2-5-Charismatic, curious Wallace is always pulling his friends along on adventures, from convincing them to see how close they can get to a skunk without getting sprayed to leading them in search of Sasquatch. This second collection of Henry's syndicated comic strips (after the Eisner Award-nominated Wallace the Brave) captures the endless possibilities of childhood. The humor is perfect for middle graders, but older comics fans will love it, too-sophisticated pop culture references ("We're gonna need a bigger net") will have parents and teachers chuckling along. The expressive illustrations, reminiscent of classic comic strips, bring the characters to life, from Spud's fearful reaction when Wallace announces they are hunting for a giant snapping turtle, to Amelia's anger when a neighbor hands out raisins instead of candy on Halloween. VERDICT Henry cites Calvin and Hobbes as an influence, and the similarities are clear. Though lovable, self-assured Wallace is a worthy successor to Calvin, he's a strong hero in his own right, and Wallace the Brave is bound to be a future classic.-Suzanne Costner, Fairview Elementary School, Maryville, TN

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