Flop to the Top!: TOON Level 3

by Eleanor Davis, Dreq Weing

Overview

Wanda's a star! Or at least she thinks she is . . .

In this modern-day fable, Wanda calls her brother and sister her “fans,” keeps up with all the celebrity news, and never ever misses a chance to share a selfie. She’s ready to show the world how Wanda-ful she really is but all people are interested in is...her floppy dog! Superstar cartoonists Eleanor Davis and Drew Weing will have young readers in stitches with this hilarious tale of fame, fandom, and social media where friendship and family triumph.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781935179894
Publisher:	Astra Publishing House
Publication date:	09/08/2015
Series:	Toon Series
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	6.30(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	290L (what's this?)
Age Range:	5 - 6 Years

About the Author

Eleanor Davis’s debut book, Stinky, received multiple accolades, including the Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Award and a Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year award. Eleanor and Drew Weing, her husband, came up with this story together and shared the drawings on each page. Can you tell who drew what? They bet you can’t! They live in Athens, Georgia, with three floppy cats who take turns napping on their drawing tables.

Editorial Reviews

There is a lot going on here, including an underlying commentary about social media use, celebrity obsession and struggles with emotional expression. But Wanda's over-the-top personality juxtaposed with Wilbur's inscrutable countenance lightens the mood and saves the story from becoming too moralistic. Here's hoping Sassy Cat gets her own book next.

The New York Times Book Review - Laura Lutz

06/15/2015
Davis (Stinky) and husband Weing have likely set a record for the number of selfies taken in a children’s book with the introduction of Wanda, a self-described superstar who essentially sees herself as the next Beyoncé. With sienna skin and a hairdo like an exclamation point, Wanda considers her younger siblings and her pet dog, Wilbur, to be “fans,” and she never misses an episode of The Star Show, which celebrates the hottest personalities of the moment (a spot currently held by “Sassy Cat”). After Wanda uploads a selfie featuring herself and Wilbur, it’s her pet who goes viral, as news trucks and phone-wielding fans descend on the house to see “Floppy Dog.” Hell hath no fury like a wannabe celebrity scorned, but as Floppy Dog is whisked off to dance clubs, expensive restaurants, and a yacht (with Sassy Cat, no less!), Wanda’s anger morphs to concern and repentance. Chunky digital illustrations playfully spoof the lifestyles of the rich and famous (Floppy Dog is quickly adorned with sunglasses and jeweled chains), but Davis and Weing never lose sight of the story’s emotional underpinnings. Ages 5–up. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

Association for Library Service to Children 2016 Notable Children's Books

Association for Library Service to Children Graphic Novels Reading List 2016

Kirkus Prize 2015 Nominee for Young Reader's Literature

ABC Best Books for Young Readers List 2015

Texas Library Association Little Maverick Graphic Novel Reading List 2016

“The book is so much fun that both lessons—in reading and in life—go down easy.” – Kirkus Reviews STARRED REVIEW

"It is infused with so much warmth, color, and whimsy that young readers will gladly see this book through to its pleasing reversal of fortune." - Horn Book Magazine STARRED REVIEW

"There is a lot going on here, including an underlying commentary about social media use, celebrity obsession and struggles with emotional expression." - The New York Times

"[Eleanor Davis and Drew Weing's] collaboration is a quick, cute story about a self-obsessed, selfie-obsessed little girl who believes she’s destined for fame, fortune and super-stardom in the social media age." - Good Comics for Kids

"Davis and husband Weing have likely set a record for the number of selfies taken in a children's book...Chunky digital illustrations playfully spoof the lifestyles of the rich and famous...but Davis and Weing never lose sight of the story's emotional underpinnings." - Publishers Weekly

“A chuckle-worthy tale for young comics fans.” - School Library Journal

"Though centered on difficult emotions that will feel familiar to kids, the story is leavened with comedy, allowing readers to navigate comfortably even as the robust sentences and repetition massage new reading skills." - Booklist

"It’s a wonderful example of comics in action—grown-up artistry matched with childish silliness." - Slate

“Flop To The Top is the single best book in the entire Toon line. It is a perfect marriage of line, color, shadow, dialogue, and message.” - The Comics Journal

"It has a message that is both timely and not at all heavy handed." - Books4YourKids

"The brightly colored illustrations capture the energy of the story's ebullient characters." - Mile High Books

“It’s perfect for young readers.” - What’cha Reading

From the Publisher

09/01/2015
Gr 1–3—This is the story of Wanda, a celebrity-worshipping, self(ie)-obsessed little girl who thinks she's quite special—a star, in fact—and whose siblings and beloved dog are her most devoted fans (at least in Wanda's own mind). After she posts a picture of her floppy-faced bulldog, Wilbur, on social media, the image goes viral. Soon news vans and internet fans are on Wanda's front lawn, but it's not her they're eager to see—it's Wilbur. The pup is whisked away via limo to party with the glitterati and fellow Internet star Sassy Cat. Suddenly finding herself on the outskirts of her doggy's newfound fame, Wanda's in for a reality check. The petulant young celebrity-wannabe eventually finds a little humility, and her attitude changes. Lively cartoon art in bold, warm tones captures Wanda's frenetic energy, whose towering afro puff and wide-eyed smile will endear her to readers—despite her exasperating bossiness. Davis and Weing vary panel sizes and perspectives on almost each spread, lending the compositions an appropriately busy feel. Young readers capable of appreciating the irony of Wanda's tone-deaf interactions (for instance, a photo of Wanda smiling widely with her annoyed little siblings in the background is labeled "Starstruck!") will giggle when the protagonist gets her comeuppance and appreciate her eventual change of heart. VERDICT A chuckle-worthy tale for young comics fans.—Kiera Parrott, School Library Journal

School Library Journal

★ 2015-06-23
It's a perfectly Wanda-ful day until one large, boneless dog upstages his owner. Wanda is so busy posing for her imaginary fans, taking selfies with her unimpressed sister and brother, and watching Sassy Cat's reality TV show that she completely forgets what's important. Her search for fame seems to come true when one of her selfies goes viral. Soon the world is at her doorstep. Unfortunately for Wanda, it's her photo partner, sad-eyed bulldog Wilbur (now called "Floppy Dog" by the press and fans), who has the spotlight. He is on Sassy Cat's guest list and even joins her in a stretch limo for a night on the town. New readers will enjoy following the frantic yet likable Wanda as she chases Wilbur and fame at the same time. Muted colors and busy spreads force readers to slow down and find Wanda and Wilbur. There is Wanda chasing, and here is Wilbur dancing under a disco ball, relaxing in a hot tub, eating a T-bone steak, or cavorting on a yacht. Graphic elements are a big part of the fun in this latest addition to the TOON family, but the star is Wanda herself—a brown-skinned little girl with big dreams (and an even bigger exclamation point of a hairdo) who figures out what is really important in life. The book is so much fun that both lessons—in reading and in life—go down easy. (Graphic early reader. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews