GRAPHIC NOVEL: Chickenhare by Chris Grine

CHICKENHARE
by Chris Grine
Graphix, 2013
ISBN: 9780545485081
Available:  2/1/2013
Middle Grade Fantasy (graphic novel)
Grades 3-6
Digital copy provided by publisher through NetGalley.

ABOUT THE BOOK

What's a chickenhare? A cross between a chicken and a rabbit, of course. And that makes Chickenhare the rarest animal around! So when he and his turtle friend Abe are captured and sold to the evil taxidermist Klaus, they've got to find a way to escape before Klaus turns them into stuffed animals. With the help of two other strange creatures, Banjo and Meg, they might even get away. But with Klaus and his thugs hot on their trail, the adventure is only just beginning for this unlikely quartet of friends.

REVIEW

A fun graphic novel perfect for children who enjoy the Bone series by Jeff Smith.  Chickenhare and his friend Abe have been captured and are on their way to being sold to a man named Klaus who is obsessed with keeping his 'pets' from running away. To accomplish this he has them stuffed.  They must escape if they hope to avoid this fate.  With the help of Banjo (looks like a monkey, but isn't) and Meg (?) they flee.  But before they can reach freedom Chickenhare is sidetracked by a goat, and the others  get captured by cannibalistic Shromph.  Can they find a way to stop Klaus? And escape the Shromph without being eaten? Read the book to find out.  I quite enjoyed this one.  While there isn't much depth here there is plenty of adventure and the characters are definitely entertaining. I especially enjoyed the way everything came together at the end.  Although there are strong hints that Chickenhare and his friends are in for more trouble because of secrets that Banjo and Meg are keeping. I look forward to reading the sequel.