Yorick and Bones

by Jeremy Tankard, Jeremy Tankard (Illustrator), Hermione Tankard

Overview

Hear ye, hear ye! Father-daughter duo Jeremy and Hermione Tankard are pleased to introduce the first book in a rib-tickling, heartfelt full-color graphic novel series perfect for fans of Bird & Squirrel!

Yorick is a skeleton who was just dug up after a few hundred years of sleep. He speaks like it too. “Forsooth, my joy, I barely can contain!”

Bones is the hungry dog who did the digging. Though he cannot speak, he can chomp.

What will become of these two unlikely companions? Will Yorick ever find the friend he seeks? Will Bones ever find a tasty treat that does not talk back?

The course of true friendship never did run smooth.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062854322
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	05/19/2020
Sold by:	HARPERCOLLINS
Format:	eBook
Pages:	144
File size:	50 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Jeremy Tankard is the bestselling authorstrator of the Grumpy Bird picture books. He has always loved comics and planned to make a career of them when he was about nine years old. He discovered the joys of Shakespeare in high school when his drama teacher cast him in a production of The Tempest. He has loved all things Shakespeare ever since. His book Yorick and Bones sees these two interests collide in the most unexpected ways. He lives in Vancouver with his wife and two children.

Hermione Tankard discovered her love of Shakespeare in fourth grade when she asked her father to buy her a copy of Romeo and Juliet. She read it to herself as a bedtime story for the next two weeks. Little did she know it would one day lead to a job writing new Shakespearean adventures with her dad. When not helping her dad with their book Yorick and Bones, she enjoys acting and singing onstage.

Editorial Reviews

…[a] fun, endearing graphic novel…Hermione's droll text is slyly matched with Jeremy's fast-paced, emotive art, often with an inside-comics flair adults will love…It's tragedy and comedy combined, and that—plus flashes of merriment—captures the spirit of Yorick and his adorable companion.

The New York Times Book Review - Ryan North

The Tankards’ debut collaboration is a delightfully quirky and lively introduction to Shakespearean conventions and iambic pentameter. Fun, forsooth.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"[A] joyous, cross-generational read-aloud. A true comedy.”  — Booklist

“Hermione’s droll text is slyly matched with Jeremy’s fast-paced, emotive art, often with an inside-comics flair. It’s tragedy and comedy combined, and that — plus flashes of merriment — captures the spirit of Yorick and his adorable companion.” — The New York Times Book Review

From the Publisher

"[A] joyous, cross-generational read-aloud. A true comedy.” 

Booklist

Hermione’s droll text is slyly matched with Jeremy’s fast-paced, emotive art, often with an inside-comics flair. It’s tragedy and comedy combined, and that — plus flashes of merriment — captures the spirit of Yorick and his adorable companion.

The New York Times Book Review

"[A] joyous, cross-generational read-aloud. A true comedy.” 

Booklist

05/01/2020

Gr 4–6—Alas, poor Yorick! He's been buried in the ground for hundreds of years. When his skeleton form is awoken and unearthed, there's just one thing he wants—a friend. But Bones, the tiny dog who dug him up, would love nothing more than to chew on Yorick's leg. The jester's increasingly amusing attempts to make friends are hindered by his skeletal form. Yorick views Bones first as a nuisance, then as a potential strategy to make friends, then, of course, as the companion he's been searching for. This winning tale from father-daughter duo Jeremy (Grumpy Bird) and Hermione Tankard features clever dialogue, often done in iambic meter, and illustrations that rely on striking linework and primary colors. Yorick's expressive body language drives home the emotions behind the text. Educators introducing students to Shakespeare will especially appreciate this tale. (References abound, such as, "'Tis sure that if you prick me, I do not bleed!") Kids who have an interest in the Bard will definitely love this, but it will also please readers who want a sweet and funny friendship tale. VERDICT This satisfying Shakespearean story of an unlikely friendship is a worthwhile purchase, especially for school libraries.—Gretchen Hardin, Bee Cave Public Library, TX

School Library Journal

★ 2020-03-15
A skeleton yearns to find a friend.

In this middle-grade graphic novel by a father-daughter duo, an interred skeleton awakens after an unnamed magical item lands near its resting place, leaching power into the ground. Speaking in appropriately Shakespearean language, Yorick proclaims: “Alack, there is but one thing I desire. / A friend.” Shortly thereafter, the skeleton is exhumed by an adorable gray dog who wants to nibble his tibia (to which Yorick protests, “Oh biteth not me so, thou foul beast!”). Yorick attempts to shoo the dog away but reconsiders, hoping its canine cuteness will help win him some friends. After a handful of bumbling, failed attempts send humans running away screaming, Yorick gives up. But Bones the dog wordlessly (though not always silently) shows the loquacious skeleton that a real friend is closer than he may have realized. Told in a three-act structure, the Tankards’ debut collaboration is a delightfully quirky and lively introduction to Shakespearean conventions and iambic pentameter. Pairing the Elizabethan-era vernacular with visuals works well, and once they become accustomed to the syntax, those unfamiliar with the Bard will be able to enjoy this tale of seeking acceptance and friendship. Jeremy Tankard’s full-color panels blaze vibrantly, defined with heavy black outlines that give this an easily recognizable panache. The few humans that Yorick and Bones encounter present with a range of skin tones.

Fun, forsooth. (Graphic fantasy. 8-11)

Kirkus Reviews