Why would you wear
something like that?
This is my lab gear, Dad!
I don't understand!
That THING!
The MUSTACHE!
What!? This? It's just ... "
On a recent road trip, my brother and I talked a lot about our old neighborhood and how lucky we were to spend our childhood there. We were always outside, with friends galore. Our next door neighbor built a rink at the side of their house every winter and we spent endless hours skating there. Only one family had a television set in the late 1950s, and it was put out on the lawn each Friday so all the kids from the neighborhood could watch for a while. Talking about it sparked wonderful memories for the two of us!
The Cardboard Kingdom is the story of a pretty special neighborhood, too. The children who live there build costumes that allow them to be whoever they want to be ... new personalities with extraordinary powers! It begins with masks and three kids; then moves on to others from diverse backgrounds and cultures. They are characters who deal with complications in their homes, with gender roles, and with their peers. They are kind and tender, ruthless, struggling with identity, and dealing with expectations from beyond themselves. They each have a chance to tell their own story, expressing feelings good and bad.
Their imaginations carry them through countless adventures. The reality is not always as they would like it to be. They persevere, support each other, find joy in their friendships, and pretend, pretend, pretend. Hooray for the cardboard box and all it brings to imaginative play! Meet new characters? You bet they will, and your readers will be delighted to meet each and every one of them.
Chad Sell and 10 friends worked together on these tales to create a cohesive and outstanding collection of linked stories that celebrate the differences inherent in a diverse group of children from varied backgrounds. His artwork is filled with striking color, expressive characters, and relatable scenes. Impressive in style and action-filled, this is sure to attract new fans to the graphic novel.
A quick introduction to each of the writers offers a chance to see who they are and to check out other work done by them. Be sure to add this book to your classroom collection.
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