Story Tags

the doubtful guest

Gothic Fiction for the Whole Family (Part 1: Children)

A celebration of old-world-style scares

It's never too early to introduce your child to Gothic and Modern Gothic literature (or to develop a taste for it yourself). This glorious genre explores negativity in a manageable package. With supernatural elements and an exploration of feelings like unhappiness and loneliness, both Gothic and Modern Gothic literature provide a unique opportunity for readers to explore and discuss some of the more challenging and gruesome aspects of life, and to find ways to cope with scary and negative feelings in their day-to-day lives.

It by Stephen King

Stranger Things That Go Bump in the Night!

Darkness falls across the land The midnight hour is close at hand Creatures crawl in search of blood To terrorize y’awl’s neighborhood

Picture of Wonder Woman

Her Initials are W.W.

Get Your Lasso and Bracelets Ready!

Perhaps you've noticed that a certain female superhero made her film debut recently. If not, then you are missing an awesome movie! But to be fair,  Wonder Woman – the Amazonian princess who features a lasso and bracelets – has been around since 1941. I have been a fan since childhood and still have a picture of  my Halloween costume as the demigoddess.

We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves

Primates as People

Books about families adopting primates

I read several books recently with themes about the differences and similarities between humans and other animals. I wanted to highlight some books that talk about the specific relationship between humans and our non-human primate cousins. There's a history of scientists experimenting on chimpanzees to help understand what makes our species so different from the rest of the animal kingdom, but these experiments often have a profound impact on the scientists - and non-scientists - involved.

El Deafo cover

Challenge Accepted: Read Harder 2017

Challenge #6: Read an all ages comic

A new year means new year resolutions and challenges. One reading challenge that I love to do is Book Riot's 2017 Read Harder challenge. Instead of having people focus on a specific number of books, Read Harder challenges people to read different genres or authors that they may overlook. This year, there are 24 prompts for readers, and a complete list may be found here on the Book Riot Goodreads page.

Threads by Ami Polonsky

Loss and Change in Childhood

Middle Grade Novels About Difficult Situations

"Life imitates art far more than art imitates life" - Oscar Wilde

Cover for Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, Volume 1

We're All Our Own Heroes

Comics Featuring Adventurous Girls

The tagline for the first volume of the popular all-ages action and adventure series Princeless is simple but powerful: Save Yourself. It got us thinking about more comics in our collection featuring adventurous girls who get things done themselves - with the power of friendship, intelligence, boldness, and maybe the occasional superhuman power.

YJ

Parklands-Turner Junior Comic Book Club

The Parklands-Turner Neighborhood Library has a terrific collection of comic books and graphic novels.  Each month, library staff will select a popular title for you to enjoy. Children are encouraged to visit and read in the library, or check out the selected comics on display.  Better still, kids can select any comic titles from any library across the city and have them delivered to Parklands-Turner, especially for you!

Stitches cover image

Graphic Novels for Beginners

From graphic novel newbie to fan in 5 books

Graphic novels have gotten increasingly more popular, but I have to admit I initially had a hard time getting into the format. For someone who was never into comic books as a kid, my eyes get easily overwhelmed with the explosion of activity that happens in graphic novels. What comes as second nature for a seasoned graphic novel fan - taking in the story simultaneously through the illustrations, the expository text, the speech bubbles, and the action bubbles or knowing which panel to look at next - requires a lot more concentration for me than reading a traditional book.

'March: Book One'

Awesome Reads for Awesome Con

Graphic Novels by Awesome Con 2016 Attendees

Did you know that D.C.’s very own comic and pop culture convention, Awesome Con, is coming up? On the first weekend of June (Friday the 3rd through Sunday the 5th) countless authors, artists, game developers, actors, and more will be arriving at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

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