Critter Kids Go Graphic

By Karen Raugust -- Publishers Weekly, 6/27/2006

Supplemental education publisher School Specialty Publishing is targeting the Internet generation with two new educational graphic novel series. In April, the Columbus, Ohio-based company shipped the first six 32-page titles in the Little Critter and the Critter Kids Adventure Series, and six more will debut next April. The Critter Kids is an extension of the Little Critter character created by Mercer Mayer, with whom School Specialty has a decade-long relationship encompassing everything from workbooks to picture books.

The graphic novels, which retail for $4.95 and include titles such as The Swamp Thing and Golden Eagle, are mystery stories focused on curriculum topics for grades two through five. They include nonfiction fact boxes every couple of spreads and a reading comprehension section at the end of each story.

"We were looking for an opportunity to get into the format," explains Janet Sweet, senior editor. Noting that kids today "are constantly surrounded by visual stimuli," Sweet adds that the graphic novel format, which clicks with a wide range of reading abilities, is perfectly suited to their learning style. "They've learned to follow and understand a story visually rather than textually."

Authors Erica Farber and J.R. Sansevere previously had worked on Little Critter first level readers. Mayer creates all the artwork, in close collaboration with the authors. Sweet says the look of the spreads is being refined with each new title, with more close-up conversation shots being added, for example.

In June, School Specialty will introduce six nonfiction graphic novels illustrating historical time periods, for grades 5-8, followed by six more in September.