A Washington-state library consortium rated Dumbstruck “Highly Recommended” and says, “This terrific series will be enjoyed by all readers and constantly in demand.” Nice!
News & Press
January 18, 2012 - 2:34pm
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December 16, 2011 - 3:16pm
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Aw shucks. Sarah, the Children’s Buyer at St. Louis indie Left Bank Books, has discovered Aldo Zelnick..and loves him! She even chose the series as the store’s Holiday Pick: Best for Reluctant Readers.
On her blog, Page Appropriate, she posted a thoughtful review of the first four books in the series. A taste:
“(Aldo) is an endearing narrator. His deadpan sense of humor is enjoyable even for adults. The illustrations are well-matched to the writing style: clever and well-done enough to be enjoyable, but retaining a childish simplicity. The lessons put forth are worthwhile: Not to worry about what others think of your interests since everyone has a little something they geek out about, not to be selfish and to consider others, not to rely on technology for all your entertainment and how to deal with first crushes. The characters are charming and diverse, ranging from the homeschooled tomboy (who still likes to draw flowers) to the new boy in school who happens to be deaf. As a great bonus, the alphabetical focus leads each book to focus on vocabulary beginning with a different letter. The words are peppered throughout the story (mostly very naturally) and marked with an asterisk that leads to a glossary (or “word gallery”) at the end of the book with definitions written in Aldo’s entertaining style. Each book is a fast-paced, enjoyable light read, perfect for the kid (or parent) looking for a transition from comics to chapter books.”
Karla and Kendra hope to visit St. Louis and Left Bank in 2012!
October 31, 2011 - 11:38am
Yes
A review of Cahoots, in the November 1, 2011 issue:
Aldo is a technophile who enjoys playing online sim games. His latest favorite is “Farm Town,” which is ironic because a trip to an actual farm is what his parents have planned for their family vacation. This means trading in their electronics for hay baling and butter making but it also seems as though Aldo’s twin cousins have it in for him. Are they in cahoots about something? A blend of a graphic novel and a journal, this series can be used for building a glossary of words with the same initial letter. This “C” volume, which comes on the heels of Artsy-Fartsy (2009) and Bogus (2010, both Bailiwick) brings in “cockamamie,” “cagey,” “calligraphy,” and “clomping.” Featured words have an asterisk in the text and are defined in the gallery at the back. This gimmick does not get in the way of the enjoyment of the story. An extra bonus is a feature on the word “cryptophasia,” also known as “twin speak.” This book will appeal to kids not yet ready for the middle-school life portrayed in Jeff Kinney’s “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series (Abrams) but who have aged out of the irreverent potty humor of Dav Pilkey’s “Captain Underpants” series (Scholastic).
–Kathleen Meulen Ellison, Sakai Intermediate School, Bainbridge Island, WA
October 31, 2011 - 10:48am
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“The Aldo Zelnick books are edgy without being snarky, educational without being pedantic or heavy-handed, and full of celebratory humor and visual jokes.” — Peggy Durbin, owner, Otowi Station Bookstore and Science Museum Shop, Los Alamos, New Mexico
October 24, 2011 - 10:02am
Yes
“Quid Novi” means “what’s new,” and this contest aspires to recognize quality book design and content as well as creativity and innovation. We’re delighted to deliver the news that Dumbstruck, the fourth book in the alphabetical Aldo Zelnick Comic Novel Series, took first prize in the 2011 Quid Novi book awards! Karla accepted on behalf of Bailiwick Press at the Quid Novi Festival on Saturday, October 22nd.
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