Pippi Moves In!

Gr 1–3—Written and illustrated by the original series creators, these 1950s-era comics have been translated into English for the first time. Although they may be a tough sell to today's audiences, the collection will pair nicely with the novels and might serve to generate some interest in the character. Over the course of 12 short stories, readers get to know the quirky world of Pippi Longstocking. The opening selection tells the story of when Pippi; her horse; and monkey sidekick, Mr. Nillson, moved in next to everyday kids Tommy and Annika. Everything about Pippi is unusual, from her super strength to her curious lack of parents. The following comics explore different aspects of her personality, from defeating the strongest man in the world to getting shipwrecked on purpose. Pippi's dialogue is simple, brief, and full of quips. The basic humor and kids vs. adults situations have the potential to draw in readers. The artwork is bold, with heavy doses of primary colors. The layouts are easy to follow, with the exception of an oddly placed caption box here and there. It's great to see these comics available to American audiences. Wide appeal will be elusive, but fans of Pippi and classic comics will be pleased.—Travis Jonker, Wayland Union Schools, MI