Doodleville (Paperback)
Staff Reviews
Welcome to Doodleville, everyone!!! This beloved author, Chad Sell, brings us to his next fabulous graphic novel, Doodleville, which grabs the reader, heart and soul!! Doodleville brings us into a normal school, to a normal group of kids, in a normal art club.....except that these kids' doodles come alive!!! Drew loves her doodles dearly, but when one of her doodles goes rogue and hurts the other student's characters, she is wisked away on an adventure that teaches her so much: the complexities of friendship, the strength that lies in trusting yourself, and the power of working together with friends that can save the day!! Chad Sell's trademark combo of fun, vibrant artwork and deeply emotional and human storytelling makes you smile throughout, and reminds you that "being different can make you powerful." Sell's work is also a perfect example of representation as it should be: people of all types existing together, just like in real life. And while having a blast visiting Doodleville, you may even learn a bit of art history! No matter what, you'll surely be smiling till the very last page.
Be sure to check out this author's first wonderful graphic novel too, Cardboard Kingdom!
(Graphic Novel, Ages 8+) - From Staff Picks by Isabel
Drew is just a regular artist. But there's nothing ordinary about her art. Her doodles are mischievous . . . and rarely do they stay in Doodleville, the world she's created in her sketchbook. Instead, Drew's doodles prefer to explore the world outside. But after an inspiring class trip to the Art Institute of Chicago--where the doodles cause a bit too much trouble--Drew decides it's time to take her artistic talents to the next level.
Enter the Leviathan--Levi, for short. He's bigger and better than anything Drew has ever created before. He's a monster, but a friendly one. That is, until Levi begins to wreak havoc on Drew's other doodles--and on the heroes her classmates have dreamt up.
Levi won't be easily tamed, and it seems there is a link between the monster's bad behavior and Drew's feelings. With the help of her loyal art club friends, will she be able to save Doodleville--and Levi--before it's too late?
“A tender yet action-packed tale of a young girl who uses her creativity as an outlet for her emotions.... Lovers of graphic novels, and anyone struggling with friendship will appreciate Sell’s newest tale.” –School Library Journal
"[Sell] tells an engaging story that uses a fantastical idea to ponder real-world dilemmas: How do you cope when things feel out of control? How do you reduce harm, and how do you make amends for harm that you’ve caused?" —Kirkus Reviews
"Readers will definitely respond to the idea of large emotions that are hard to control, as well as the therapeutic joy of art—likewise Sell’s use of encroaching darkness and his luminous figures, warmly rounded but imbued with wonderfully emotive features." —Booklist
"Sell’s caricatured illustrations provide strong action, and... highlight emotionally charged moments." —Publishers Weekly
