The White Snake: A TOON Graphic

by Ben Nadler

Overview

Young Randall dreams of adventures until one day he’s sent off on a mission to discover the neighboring king’s secret. When he returns, he’s thrown in a dungeon and despairs until Princess Tilda — the power behind the throne – entices him to compete for her hand. Courage, determination — and Tilda’s trust in him – toss him from one adventure to the next as he dives for a ring at the bottom of the ocean and searches for a Golden Apple from the Tree of Life. BEN NADLER’s modern version in comics highlights the timeless truth at the heart of this Grimm Brothers’ fairy tale in a way that is sure to delight and resonate with today’s young readers.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781943145386
Publisher:	Astra Publishing House
Publication date:	05/07/2019
Pages:	60
Sales rank:	1,140,072
Product dimensions:	7.60(w) x 9.80(h) x 0.30(d)
Lexile:	580L (what's this?)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

Editorial Reviews

"Nadler updates a lesser-known Grimm’s tale with diverse characters, compassion for animals, and a feminist hero. Randall, a young servant, loves canny Princess Tilda, but her father, King Arnold, is a neurotic tyrant. Sent by Arnold to spy on a neighboring kingdom, Randall discovers that King Boris dines on white snake; after Randall tries some, he finds that he can understand the language of animals, allowing him, en route home, to assist and save many. And when Tilda persuades Arnold to invite suitors to compete for her hand, the creatures offer Randall help in return. Nadler’s crisp, neatly laid-out panel artwork is easy to follow, with moments of video-game-like adventure, and bites of magic food produce a hilariously trippy effect as pulsing rainbow halos appear around the eaters’ heads. In an afterword, comic artist Paul Karasik offers context for the modernized components, in particular “girl power,” and makes a case for the free retelling of traditional stories—a sign of more to come, perhaps. Ages 8–up. (May)" - Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher

06/21/2019

Gr 3–5-A lesser-known Grimm fairy tale receives a feminist update in this colorful graphic novel retelling. Underdog servant Randall dutifully attempts to accomplish the tasks given to him by King Arnold, a controlling monarch with regressive (nay, misogynistic) views on gender and class. When King Arnold's capable, levelheaded daughter Tilda (a much more shallow character in the original tale) offers to attend to the kingdom's guests, he indignantly retorts, "That's no job for a young woman. You will marry a worthy suitor and be his faithful wife as he rules." When Tilda threatens to run away to the next kingdom over, King Arnold sends Randall to spy on Borisylvania to learn why King Boris is so beloved. Randall unwittingly gains the ability to speak with animals when he covertly eats a piece of a mysterious white snake. His kindness toward animals pays off when the creatures come to his aid in his times of need. Bright colors and silly creatures hiding in the background will encourage repeated readings. VERDICT Readers who delight in fairy tales, hero stories, quests, and fantastic magic will find Randall's story fascinating. A unique and contemporary reimagining of a Grimm tale.

School Library Journal

Ben Nadler retells one of my favorite fairy tales in The White Snake, turning it into a fast-paced and irreverent graphic novel. The result is funny, engaging and an absolute delight.

The New York Times Book Review - Kelly Barnhill

02/25/2019

Nadler updates a lesser-known Grimm’s tale with diverse characters, compassion for animals, and a feminist hero. Randall, a young servant, loves canny Princess Tilda, but her father, King Arnold, is a neurotic tyrant. Sent by Arnold to spy on a neighboring kingdom, Randall discovers that King Boris dines on white snake; after Randall tries some, he finds that he can understand the language of animals, allowing him, en route home, to assist and save many. And when Tilda persuades Arnold to invite suitors to compete for her hand, the creatures offer Randall help in return. Nadler’s crisp, neatly laid-out panel artwork is easy to follow, with moments of video-game-like adventure, and bites of magic food produce a hilariously trippy effect as pulsing rainbow halos appear around the eaters’ heads. In an afterword, comic artist Paul Karasik offers context for the modernized components, in particular “girl power,” and makes a case for the free retelling of traditional stories—a sign of more to come, perhaps. Ages 8–up. (May)

Publishers Weekly

2019-03-03

A brave servant seeks adventure and the hand of a princess in this modern adaptation of a lesser known Grimms' tale.

Randall wants to do more with his life than serve at the beck and call of King Arnold, a ruler so self-absorbed that he would rather focus on having paintings hung than ruling his kingdom. His opportunity comes when Arnold sends him on a covert mission to Borisylvania to discover their king's secret for ruling so justly. Randall's sleuthing leads to his eating a piece of the eponymous white snake and gaining the power to understand animals. Returning to Arnold, Randall begins a quest for the princess's hand in marriage that demonstrates the value of kindness and truly listening to others. Using comic-book-style graphics and panels, Nadler makes this tale fresh, multiethnic, and accessible to younger children. The artist is an expert at using facial expressions to draw out the tale's humor and pathos. His shrewdest update, however, is the transformation of Princess Tilda from a prize-to-be-won supporting character into an adept and capable ruler who directly challenges her father's outdated belief that a woman is incapable of wielding power well. This shift makes the relationship between Tilda and Randall a mutual meeting of the minds rather than a means for his social advancement. Randall has light brown skin and brown hair; Arnold and Tilda present black; the rulers of Borisylvania present white.

A sweet and amusing update. (Graphic fairy tale. 8-12)

Kirkus Reviews