Charismatic, curious Wallace is always pulling his friends along on adventures, from convincing them to see how close they can get to a skunk without getting sprayed to leading them in search of Sasquatch. This second collection of Henry's syndicated comic strips (after the Eisner Award-nominated Wallace the Brave) captures the endless possibilities of childhood. The humor is perfect for middle graders, but older comics fans will love it, too—sophisticated pop culture references ("We're gonna need a bigger net") will have parents and teachers chuckling along. The expressive illustrations, reminiscent of classic comic strips, bring the characters to life, from Spud's fearful reaction when Wallace announces they are hunting for a giant snapping turtle, to Amelia's anger when a neighbor hands out raisins instead of candy on Halloween. VERDICT Henry cites Calvin and Hobbes as an influence, and the similarities are clear. Though lovable, self-assured Wallace is a worthy successor to Calvin, he's a strong hero in his own right, and Wallace the Brave is bound to be a future classic.
(My review first appeared in School Library Journal, November 2019)
178 pages 978-1524855819 Ages 7-10
Recommended by: Suzanne Costner, Librarian, Tennessee USA
See more of her recommendations: https://fveslibrary.blogspot.com/
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The follow up to the Eisner-nominated collection of Wallace the Brave comics, featuring beautifully illustrated scenes of childhood imagination, friendship, outdoor exploration, and adventure.---from the publisher
Other reviews:
Think "Peanuts" if Charlie Brown were less of a mope or "Calvin & Hobbes" if Calvin weren't a bit of a psychopath. "Wallace The Brave" is about a family. There's Dad, a fisherman, Mom, a gardener, their almost feral young son Sterling, who never met a bug he wouldn't eat, and his older brother Wallace, a rambunctious, imaginative kid big on exploring.
Mostly we see the world of the strip through Wallace's eyes, a sleepy East Coast beach town called Snug Harbor where the streets are lined with ice cream shops and the beaches are dotted with rocky tide pools ... The world of childhood depicted in the strip is a timeless, outdoorsy one reminiscent of strips like "Calvin & Hobbes" and "Cul De Sac," both of which Henry cites as influences. — NPR's Glen Weldon
