Description: Contains nonfiction back matter regarding birds featured in the comic.
Review Quotes:
Winged Heroes: For All Birdkind.
By Thompson, Mya(Author); Illustrated by Green, Virginia
Biologist and self-proclaimed "bird nerd" Thompson and artist Virginia Greene team up in a cheeky proclamation of bird power, a graphic novel that's steeped in science and offers engaging anthropomorphic adventures. Emilio, a bullied rock pigeon whose family cautions him that "a brave pigeon is a dead pigeon," spends his free time reading a Winged Heroes comic book and wishing for super powers like the heroes in its pages. In the midst of feeling sorry for himself and his mediocre fowl abilities, Emilio and his flock-sister Nina and pals Winslow and Carmen- set out to find the secret headquarters of the comic's Winged Heroes, fittingly presumed to be in the Statue of Liberty. When they encounter danger along the way, ending up separated and lost, Emilio is forced to find his "inner power" to save his friends.
Emilio's dream encounter with "real life hero" Mary of Exeter, a World War II-era trained homing pigeon who teaches him to use his innate navigational skills, is the catalyst for a heroic rescue and his eventual re-imagining as "Emilio the Extraordinary." Frequent references to the different types of birds featured in the Winged Heroes, and their natural diet and abilities, underscore Thompson's educational aim -as do the fun facts at the end about homing pigeons' magnetic field navigation, discussion questions on understanding habitats, and engaging information about the real bird species who inspired the characters.
Greene renders Emilio and clan's adventures in luminous detail, including rich visual elements that bring life to the storyline, such as Wizardo the Puzzle Master's tool belt to "fix anything" and Raptora the Visionary's fiercely studded body armor. The plot is well paced and attention-grabbing, and Emilio's motto should resonate with readers of all ages: "Be brave and trust your flock." Part comic adventure, part treatise about the "real-life power of birds," Winged Heroes offers a rousing flight of fancy that will inspire and entertain.
Takeaway: Take a colorful, informative flight with ordinary birds who dream of being superheroes.
Great for fans of: Fabien Grolleau's Audubon, On The Wings Of The World, Drew Brockington's Catstronauts.
Production grades
Cover: A+
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A+
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A