Punycorn

October 15, 2023
A diminutive, pure-hearted unicorn and his band of underdogs must save their kingdom from an evil ogre. Punycorn is a trainee cadet in an elite troop protecting the kingdom of Carbuncle, although he's not taken very seriously and is mostly tasked with cleaning Uni Palace. Unbeknownst to the huddle of hero unicorns who leave Punycorn behind to go on a special mission, a revenge plot is brewing in the Bastion of Evil, helmed by Sir Ogre and his clever sister; the ogre is aided by his magical Gauntlets of Ultimate Victory, which are, hilariously, pink mittens on a string. Unable to reach the rest of his troop after taking a distress call about the havoc being wreaked by Sir Ogre's army, Punycorn travels to the Council of Wizards seeking help and is assigned the quest to form a Kinship of Heroes and save Carbuncle. Eager to prove himself, Punycorn assembles a motley crew of helpers: a dragon who can't breathe fire, a pacifist sword, and a dung beetle. Chapters that shift perspectives between Punycorn and Sir Ogre present this tale of good versus evil, deftly moving the plot forward. Vibrantly colored, whimsical illustrations augment the reading experience, and readers are treated to several impressive full-page action scenes, along with plenty of humor. Themes of friendship and perseverance drive this first series installment. A satisfyingly fun adventure with an irresistible, plucky hero. (Graphic adventure. 8-12)

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November 1, 2023
Grades 3-7 Once upon a time, a great evil threatened the land of Carbuncle. The kingdom's greatest heroes--the chosen ones, a group of elite, stylish unicorns--were able to thwart the enemy and drive the evil into the shadows. Years have passed, but now the same evil threatens Carbuncle once more. This time the nefarious army is led by the menacing Sir Ogre, who wields the Gauntlets of Ultimate Victory. The chosen ones have a new hero: the small, clumsy, and occasionally naive Punycorn, who (thankfully) possesses the heart of a true champion. With the help of a ragtag group of characters, including a non-fire-breathing dragon, a dung elemental, and an enchanted sword that's incapable of doing harm to others, Punycorn endeavors to take on Sir Ogre and his evil army! The bravado of the plot is in fun contrast to Watson's cheery artwork and soft colors, which escalates the overall comedy of the over-the-top story. Middle-graders looking for fantastical belly laughs will appreciate this playful, masterfully drawn graphic novel.

COPYRIGHT(2023) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

January 12, 2024

Gr 3-7-An unlikely hero, a ragtag bunch of misfits, and an action-packed story of courage. Punycorn lives in the shadow of all the other unicorns-also known as the "Chosen Ones." Overlooked and addressed with disdain, Punycorn does his best to keep up, but when the unicorns leave Uni Palace and evil Sir Ogre threatens all the lands in Carbuncle, it will be up to this tiny but mighty fella to embark on a quest to find the elements he needs to succeed. Along the way, he will enroll Wheeze, a fireless dragon, and P'oo, a dung beetle with incredible strength. As Sir Ogre masterminds faulty plans, his sister Sixsmith will prove to be the real brains behind the plot. This graphic novel has vibrant illustrations and witty dialog, which readers will find entertaining and addictive. The fast-paced plot moves along well as the heroes encounter peril and danger. The story ends on a cliffhanger that will have readers clamoring for more. VERDICT An excellent purchase for elementary and middle school libraries where graphic novels and fantasy are in high demand.-Carol Youssif

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