Ariol #1: Just a Donkey Like You and Me
Gr 3-6-Originally published in France, this energetic graphic novel follows the life of a tween donkey named Ariol and highlights his adventures (and misadventures) with his friends, classmates, and family members. The everyday situations that he experiences-interactions with his parents, difficult teachers, arguments with classmates-will resonate with kids, as will the realistic (yet extremely funny) dialogue. Guibert also tackles more overarching themes such as self-esteem, first crushes, and the importance of friendship with subtlety and humor. Boutavant's brightly colored illustrations portray the diverse cast of animal characters in delightful and accessible ways. Great for reluctant readers and graphic-novel fans in general, this title will be a popular addition.-Rita Meade, Brooklyn Public Library, NYα(c) Copyright 2013.  Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc.  No redistribution permitted.