June 7, 2021
In this graphic novel series opener, a fluffy talking dog and nap aficionado named Good Boy is elected mayor of the town of Greenwood. When a group of constituents, displeased by the election results, start a fracas at Mayor Good Boy’s acceptance speech, quick-thinking Abby Ableman, who is light-skinned and often self-deprecating, and younger brother Aaron, eight (“literally the grossest kid on this planet,” according to their mother), combine their skills to save the day. Along the way, they impress and subsequently land jobs with the new mayor, leading to their involvement in a series of community events—and multiple run-ins with the hound’s top critics. Kid-friendly text by Schiedt (Wrapped Up) uses a comedic style employed with success by Dav Pilkey and Nickelodeon cartoons (“That old guy has a fake butt!”), while art by Harmon (Spring Cakes) gamely mixes cute and mildly disgusting while representing Greenwood’s intersectional diversity. A closing pledge offers tongue-in-cheek suggestions for community engagement (“I will always root for the underdog”), and the mini comic that follows on how to contact one’s elected representatives carries Schiedt’s engaging humor through to the end. Ages 7–10. Agent: Charlie Olsen, InkWell Management.
July 1, 2021
When a dog wins the local mayoral election, siblings Abby and Aaron team up with the political pup to help the town. In this graphic novel, the underdogs turn out to be the real heroes. Leveraging his motto, "All bork. No bite. Sometimes that's all it takes!" Mayor Good Boy communicates with renegade zoo animals to coax them back to their pens. And when it comes to mean old Mervis Hogpepper and his Anti-Good Boy Society, Abby and Aaron prove there's room for kids in politics and problem-solving. Scatological humor and a stinky sock moment attempt to elicit laughs, but it's Abby and Aaron's portrayal as true siblings--equal parts annoying and loving to one another--that holds the highest appeal. While the moral of the story lacks subtlety, "Just because you're a kid doesn't mean you can't change the world!" it's an important message that is, fortunately, qualified ("I realized that even the smallest things could make the world a little better!"). The story flows well, with an interesting color palette: Lime greens and shades of blue are used in the background to distinguish scene changes. People of all skin tones are represented; Abby and Aaron's father appears White, and their mother has brown skin and curly brown hair. The end includes a fun section showing how to draw the main characters and information for kids on participating in politics. Presents a timely topic through likable characters. (Graphic fiction. 7-10)
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July 23, 2021
Gr 2-5-Abby and her little brother, Aaron, live in Greenwood, which becomes a very unusual place after it's announced that a cute, fluffy dog has just been elected mayor. Some people are delighted, others are angry, and some figure that he can't be any worse than the last mayor. When a mob of enraged townspeople storm the stage, Abby and Aaron defuse the situation. The kids are invited to work with Mayor Good Boy and his assistant, Ms. Monica, helping him meet his fans and avoid his haters. As they visit different parts of Greenwood, they encounter humorous situations as Mayor Good Boy takes frequent naps and gets very excited about cheese, Aaron lands himself into trouble, and Abby tries to keep the peace. The story is sweet, funny, and uplifting, and the cute and colorful cartoonish artwork reinforces the positive message that anyone, even the unlikeliest of heroes, can make a difference. The book concludes with tips for drawing the characters, a Mayor Good Boy pledge, and information about how readers can contact their representatives. Abby and Aaron are beige-skinned and brown-haired. VERDICT For readers who love animals and books about friendship, and for anyone who wants to change the world.-Andrea Lipinski, New York P.L.
Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
October 22, 2021
Grades 2-5 The election results are in, and Greenwood's new mayor is . . . a dog? That's the premise of Scheidt and Harmon's rollicking new middle-grade comic, which follows siblings Aaron and Abby as they help Mayor Good Boy serve the citizens of their town. Harmon's bold colors and cartoonish figures are the perfect match for the madcap antics of the story, like Aaron's mishaps at the zoo during a campaign event and a city-wide false-flag flea infestation. All the while, Scheidt and Harmon nicely balance the kid-friendly humor (get ready for an abundance of stinky socks and fart jokes) with an empowering message of community engagement--Abby wonders what she can accomplish, but simple acts, like helping build a community garden, give her confidence. It's quite sweetly optimistic about local government, and a closing epilogue gives readers targeted advice about how to participate in their communities. Dog Man fans are a natural audience for this, but kids interested in helping their neighbors will get a lot out of it, too.
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