THE MIGHTY BITE, by Nathan Hale, Amulet Books, April 4, 2023, Hardcover, $14.99 (ages 7-10)
Cartoonist Nathan Hale takes on natural history in The Mighty Bite, the first book in his new graphic novel series for younger middle readers.
What happens when a couple of prehistoric creatures want to become internet stars? Trilobite and Amber (a walking whale) dream of fame and fortune. They don’t realize that most of the world thinks that they’re extinct. When a wandering paleo-newscaster introduces them to the world of internet videos, they hop at the chance to get behind the camera. The competition for internet fame will be fierce — Trilobite and Amber will face off against ancient sea creatures, talking cacti, floating cat heads, and more! Friendships will be tested, allies will be made, and cameras will be smashed! Our heroes will have to use all of their newfound skills when they find themselves competing in an all-out video-making battle royale! —Synopsis provided by Amulet Books
My 9-year-old has been a Nathan Hale fan for years — she got ahold of one of his Hazardous Tales books a few years ago and has been begging for more ever since. So, when she saw my advanced copy of The Mighty Bite, she quickly claimed it as her own.
For those of you familiar with Hale’s Hazardous Tales series, take note, this new series is geared toward a slightly younger audience. The panels are slightly simpler and feature less text. There’s still plenty of detail and lots of laugh-out-loud elements, though.
In fact, my daughter devoured The Mighty Bite. She read it straight through and then started it over again. Every time I looked over at her, there was a smile on her face, and giggles were not uncommon. “It’s lots of fun!” she told me. “I can’t wait to read more. I hope I don’t have to wait for very long.”
The Mighty Bite is a great option for readers moving from chapter books into middle grade, those who love graphic novels and for those who just enjoy a good story.
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