Yves' Reviews

The world's most beautiful graphic novel about the world's most relatable need: belonging. Shaun Tan's classic work follows an immigrant in a new country, unlike any the reader will ever have seen before, as he learns its inscrutable language and confusing rules in order to navigate the workforce and feed his family back home. My go-to for a feel good, gorgeously illustrated, and deeply human book where any reader can find their home. -Yves

What does it mean to grow up when you'll never get old? Black continues the literary traditions of Dracula and Interview With the Vampire by adapting vampire symbolism to the modern day and a young adult audience in this delicate, elegant text, with beautiful prose and a sly nod towards our often ridiculous, often dangerous obsession with sexy vampires... and, don't worry, a beautiful and dangerous vampire boy to boot.-Yves

As poignant and vital as The Little Prince comes this slim novel from beloved children's author Brian Selznick. Kaleidoscope, true to its title, gives us a look through a million lenses at two boys, their love, and their loss of each other. It's been a long time since I've felt this insistent: this book should be read and loved by everyone.-Yves

Little Nobody, or "Bod" Owens, finds himself at a graveyard as a baby after his parents are killed by assassins... and there begins a childhood raised by ghosts, witches, and the mysterious Silas. Now he has to make a decision: will he stay in the world of the (un)dead or join his people among the living? A beautiful, insightful novel that never fails to make me cry. - Yves

For fans of fairy tales and unwieldy narrators comes a whimsical fantasy which will thrill children and adults, alike. September is spirited away to the magical world of Fairyland, where she travels the world, befriends its creatures, and possibly even topples an unjust little-girl ruler... not to mention the contents of the title! This book can both stand alone beautifully or pull a reader into the entire five-book series for more! -Yves

Alice in Wonderland has always been a favorite of mine. The Annotated Alice reveals how much more joy can be found in this classic story of a little girl who escapes the rules and regulations of Victorian childhood for the rules and regulations of Wonderland. It presents the original text alongside additional illustrations from varied artists, reader answers to Carroll's famous riddles, and a wealth of entertaining commentary based on the cultural references of the time. -Yves

Frizzy is a beautifully illustrated graphic novel for anyone who has ever had to justify their own appearance. I instantly connected with Marlene’s challenge in trying to be herself amidst a whirlwind of adults, peers, and family members pressuring her to conform. I reveled in all of her successes as she learned to stand up for herself, and I couldn’t put the book down until I knew she’d be okay.

—YVES

In this book of obsessions, contemplations, and never-before-seen art, Shaun Tan takes us behind the scenes to teach us how the monsters are made. Fans of The Lost Thing, The Arrival, and his many other gorgeously detailed and award-winning books will rejoice at the opportunity to walk through Tan’s process in coming up with his famous creatures, in addition to his expansive discussion of the ideas they represent and the reason for their consistent popularity.

—YVES

This elegant, gentle, and above all fiercely loving tale of a trans man’s gratitude to a mysterious Enchanter will captivate any fan of fantasy retellings. I had to stop many times and take a do-not-cry-in-public break at philosophical musings just a little too poignant and quiet moments just a little too personal, wondering repeatedly at the fact that my own experiences were suddenly reflected so easily. A long-needed warm embrace of a book.

—YVES