Written and Drawn by Henrietta

A Toon Book by Liniers

This is an absolutely darling beginning reader graphic novel. Henrietta and her cat use her colored pencils, which are “as close as you can get to owning a piece of the rainbow,” to write and illustrate a book based on her own fear of monsters being in her bedroom at night. The story monster is a not-so-scary three-headed man with only two hats who is looking for another hat. After a nod to Narnia, a secret labyrinth is discovered in the closet and a scarier monster who has one head and 3 hats! This book was so clever and funny. I was laughing on every page.

The illustrations are fabulous. There is a clear distinction between Henrietta writing, thinking, creating the book, and the characters and art of the book she is writing. I think the book would work okay as a read aloud, as well.

Review by Terrie Bishop, Academy Park Elementary Media Center
Rating: ★★★★★ (5 stars)
Interest Level: Grades K-2

I loved the style of this book. The mix of comic panels showing Henrietta writing and what she has written/drawn make it a fun graphic novel. It shows how fun creating a story can be. Teachers will love using it in writers workshops. The story takes you through the whole creative process: brainstorming, thinking aloud, sharing, writing, drawing, and even writers block. I am sure it will inspire many kids to create their own stories.

Review by Vanessa Eyre, Robert Frost Media Center
Rating: ★★★★½ (4.5 stars)
Interest Level: K-2

I absolutely adore this book!! It has great illustrations and a fun story within a story that teaches kids about the writing process. Henrietta gets a new box of colored pencils from her mom and decides to write her own story. We read Henrietta’s made up story, also illustrated by Henrietta in a childlike quality, while reading how Henrietta comes up with each new idea for her story in panels. It’s such a fantastic and creative way to present to children the different parts you need in a story, as well as ways to approach writing a story and the fun one can have doing it.

Review by Jennifer B. Porter, Crestview Elementary Media Center
Rating: ★★★★★ (5 stars)
Interest Level: 1st – 4th

I’m not a big fan of graphic novels but I kind of enjoyed this one. Henrietta was given a box of colored pencils. She said that was like having a piece of the rainbow. She let her imagination go. She makes a book with monsters “Huey, Dewey, and Louie Bluie”. Henrietta said a book is like a world you can carry around with you.

Review by Jodie Uriarte, Copper Hills Elementary Media Center
Rating: ★★★✩✩ (3 stars)
Interest Level: 1st – 4th

Written and Drawn by Henrietta
Written by Liniers
TOON Books, an imprint of RAW Junior
60 pages
Release Date: September 29, 2015

Tags:

2015 Children's Graphic Novels, Adventure Fiction, Adventure Graphic Novels, Authorship Fiction, Drawing Fiction, Imagination Fiction, Jennifer B. Porter, Jodie Uriarte, Liniers, Metafiction, Terrie Bishop, Vanessa Eyre, Written and Drawn by Henrietta