Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
First Second (2023), 208 pages
Pages
208
Description
"Listen! Hear a tale of mallow-munchers and warriors who answer candy's clarion call! Somewhere in a generic suburb stands Treeheart, a kid-forged sanctuary where generations of tireless tykes have spent their youths making merry, spilling soda, and staving off the shadow of adulthood. One day, these brave warriors find their fun cut short by their nefarious neighbor Grindle, who can no longer tolerate the sounds of mirth seeping into his joyless adult life. As the guardian of gloom lays siege to Treeheart, scores of kids suddenly find themselves transformed into pimply teenagers and sullen adults! The survivors of the onslaught cry out for a savior--a warrior whose will is unbreakable and whose appetite for mischief is unbounded. They call for Bea Wolf."--Provided by publisher.… (more)
Media reviews
Wonderfully weird. richly evocative turns of phrase run the gamut from hilarious to heart-rending and maintain the flavor of the original without bogging the pace down amid the kennings. Boulet’s illustrations imbue the shenanigans with gleeful energy and a touch of dark absurdity that children,
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seeing their own fears and triumphs reflected, will delight in. Show Less
Awards
Hugo Award (Nominee — Graphic Story — 2024)
BCCB Blue Ribbon Book (Graphic Novels — 2023)
Denny O’Neil Graphic Novel List (Grades 3-5 — 2024)
NPR: Books We Love (2023)
Notable Children's Book (Middle Readers — 2024)
OYAN Graphic Rave (Middle Grade — 2023)
Publishers Weekly Best Children's Books of the Year (Middle Grade — 2023)
Denver Public Library Staff Picks for Kids (Graphic Novels — 2023)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2023-03-21
Physical description
208 p.; 10.3 inches
ISBN
1250776295 / 9781250776297
Similar in this library
Library's review
This is my ten-year-old son's book, but I had to add it to my own library - I read it before he had a chance and loved it (meanwhile I put down Headley's new translation of Beowulf midway through and have yet to pick it up again). This is an illustrated children's retelling of the first third of
My son absolutely felt the horror for kids of the old man "stealing the kid's lives" - while reducing the violence (they can't very well have children dying en masse in a kids book) it keeps the threat. The book follows the structure of the poem - digressions into the past of the protagonists, both Roger, keeper of the treehouse and the hero Bea Wulf, and the alliterative-heavy, kenning-filled wording itself. My son obviously didn't have experience with other translations to reference, but he enjoyed it and I found it absolutely hilarious.
It's hard to pick one bit to quote for this review, so I'll start at the beginning:
"Hey, wait!"
"Listen to the lives of the long-ago kids, the world-fighters,
the parent-unminding kids, the improper, the politeness-proof,
the unbowed bully-crushers,
the bedtime-breakers, the raspberry-blowers,
fighters of fun-killers, fearing nothing, fated for fame.
There was Tanya, treat-taker, terror of Halloween,
her costume-cache vast, sieging kin and neighbor,
draining full candy-bins, fearing not the fate of her teeth.
Ten thousand treats she took. That was a fine Tuesday."
Love it. If you like Beowulf or graphic novels or have an appropriately-aged kid check this one out. As with the original, it is absolutely intended to be read aloud - read it to your cat, as another reviewer did, if no humans in your house will listen.
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Beowulf (the Grendel fight) set in suburbia, where the heroes are children and Grendel transformed into Grindle, an "aged-withered night-walker" who hates children and with a touch can transform them into teens or adults.My son absolutely felt the horror for kids of the old man "stealing the kid's lives" - while reducing the violence (they can't very well have children dying en masse in a kids book) it keeps the threat. The book follows the structure of the poem - digressions into the past of the protagonists, both Roger, keeper of the treehouse and the hero Bea Wulf, and the alliterative-heavy, kenning-filled wording itself. My son obviously didn't have experience with other translations to reference, but he enjoyed it and I found it absolutely hilarious.
It's hard to pick one bit to quote for this review, so I'll start at the beginning:
"Hey, wait!"
"Listen to the lives of the long-ago kids, the world-fighters,
the parent-unminding kids, the improper, the politeness-proof,
the unbowed bully-crushers,
the bedtime-breakers, the raspberry-blowers,
fighters of fun-killers, fearing nothing, fated for fame.
There was Tanya, treat-taker, terror of Halloween,
her costume-cache vast, sieging kin and neighbor,
draining full candy-bins, fearing not the fate of her teeth.
Ten thousand treats she took. That was a fine Tuesday."
Love it. If you like Beowulf or graphic novels or have an appropriately-aged kid check this one out. As with the original, it is absolutely intended to be read aloud - read it to your cat, as another reviewer did, if no humans in your house will listen.
Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member LibrarianRyan
This graphic novel takes the idea of the classic Beowulf and turns it on its head. It’s children who like to play and be loud going up against the grouchy neighbor man, Mr. Grendel. What makes this book unique is that it keeps the vocalization of the classic epic. It’s very’ very’ very
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wordy. The words trip all over themselves. On reading it feels like a troubadour of old, trying to get the audience’s attention. Think of it like Geoffrey Chaucer in the movie, a Knights Tale (played by Paul Bettany), and how he would introduce Heath Ledger. That is the wording format of this book from page one to page end. Tt makes this book a tad hard to read and gives the reader a bit of a headache. But at the same time, it has a Monty Python and the Holy Grail feel if one can just get to the end of the story. Overall, I like this book, but I didn’t love it. I love the cover. The artwork is great, but I wish it was in full color. I could see this maybe winning awards but what I don’t see is it being read frequently by kids. Show Less
LibraryThing member oldandnewbooksmell
In this middle grade retelling of Beowulf, a gang of troublemaking kids must defend their treehouse fort, Treeheart, from a boring, fun-hating adult, Grindle who can turn the kids into boring teens and adults with just a touch of his finger.
Just going to start this off with the claim that I don’t
I wanted to read this one graphic novel because of the cover - I immediately fell in love with the little girl on the cover. The illustrations were gorgeous and beautiful to look at and that’s what kept my attention the most.
Since this was a retelling, Zach Weinersmith used the formatting and style methods from the original Beowulf, which they talk about at the end in a note (which I was laughing at their call out to being either a librarian or a future writer as to why exactly you were reading a super long note written by the author in the first place)
This will be a different reading style for Middle Grade readers, but I believe once they get started on reading it, they will get the rhythm of it and they’ll fly through it in no time with giggles erupting with every page.
Bea Wolf is fun for everyone, all ages will be laughing at the shenanigans of the kids from Treeheart and their allies.
*Thank you NetGalley and First Second for an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
Just going to start this off with the claim that I don’t
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believe I ever read Beowulf - there may have been a time in high school when I should have read it when we were in the unit of classics, but I tended to fight against being told what to read at that time.I wanted to read this one graphic novel because of the cover - I immediately fell in love with the little girl on the cover. The illustrations were gorgeous and beautiful to look at and that’s what kept my attention the most.
Since this was a retelling, Zach Weinersmith used the formatting and style methods from the original Beowulf, which they talk about at the end in a note (which I was laughing at their call out to being either a librarian or a future writer as to why exactly you were reading a super long note written by the author in the first place)
This will be a different reading style for Middle Grade readers, but I believe once they get started on reading it, they will get the rhythm of it and they’ll fly through it in no time with giggles erupting with every page.
Bea Wolf is fun for everyone, all ages will be laughing at the shenanigans of the kids from Treeheart and their allies.
*Thank you NetGalley and First Second for an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
Show Less
LibraryThing member booklover3258
This was an amazing graphic novel! It's a children's take on Beowulf with the monster being a man who when he touches something, they become old and grumpy. Loved the graphics, although I would've rather it be in color. Awesome story and looking forward to reading the next one in the series (when
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it comes out!) Show Less
LibraryThing member bragan
In this graphic novel kids' version of Beowulf, a group of wild, free-spirited kids enjoys feasting on sugary snacks in their treehouse while making ridiculous amounts of noise, but the joy-sucking Mr. Grindle next door, whose mere touch can turn kids into boring adults, barges his way in and turns
It's all rather ridiculous, of course, but in the best possible ways, and it's just flat-out amazing how well it all works. It's a sweet, silly parody, but somehow it also genuinely manages to capture the epicness and poetry of the original, and what it does with the language is weird and wonderful. The art is absolutely perfect for it, too, full of menace and whimsey and, yes, an actual sense that you're witnessing some heroic deeds. The whole thing just delighted me utterly from the very first line ("Hey, wait!").
Thoroughly recommended for kids, and for anyone who has ever been, or known, a kid.
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it into the kind of place with motivational posters about tooth-brushing on the walls. Fortunately, there is a mighty young hero who has come to vanquish the beast.It's all rather ridiculous, of course, but in the best possible ways, and it's just flat-out amazing how well it all works. It's a sweet, silly parody, but somehow it also genuinely manages to capture the epicness and poetry of the original, and what it does with the language is weird and wonderful. The art is absolutely perfect for it, too, full of menace and whimsey and, yes, an actual sense that you're witnessing some heroic deeds. The whole thing just delighted me utterly from the very first line ("Hey, wait!").
Thoroughly recommended for kids, and for anyone who has ever been, or known, a kid.
Show Less
LibraryThing member norabelle414
Long ago, in the kid-kingdom of Suburbia, Treeheart was built. Generations of kid-kings ruled there, a hall full of candy and toys. But the sound of their merriment disgruntled their dyspeptic neighbor, Grindle. He attacked Treeheart and its merry-makers, adultifying all of them. No one could stand
This book is a graphic novel retelling of Beowulf, and it’s incredible. I’ve never been able to get through Beowulf myself, but the graphic novel and adapted language made it so accessible that I think I have a better chance now. The language has such a compelling rhythm to it that I couldn’t help but read the whole thing out loud, by myself, to my cat. I really enjoyed Weinersmith’s notes at the end about a brief history of the story, and especially his thought process on adapting the language using lots of hyphenated epithets and alliteration. This book is absolutely a classic, and I will be buying a copy to put on my shelves right next to D’Aulaire’s.
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against him, and so the children cried out for a hero. Across the creek, someone heard them. Her name was Bea Wolf.This book is a graphic novel retelling of Beowulf, and it’s incredible. I’ve never been able to get through Beowulf myself, but the graphic novel and adapted language made it so accessible that I think I have a better chance now. The language has such a compelling rhythm to it that I couldn’t help but read the whole thing out loud, by myself, to my cat. I really enjoyed Weinersmith’s notes at the end about a brief history of the story, and especially his thought process on adapting the language using lots of hyphenated epithets and alliteration. This book is absolutely a classic, and I will be buying a copy to put on my shelves right next to D’Aulaire’s.
Show Less
LibraryThing member hcnewton
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---
Hey, wait!
Listen to the lives of the long-ago kids, the world-fighters,
the parent-unminding kids, the improper, the politeness-proof,
the unbowed bully-crushers,
the bedtime-breakers,
fighters of fun-killers, fearing nothing, fated for fame.
WHAT'S BEA WOLF ABOUT?
In some generic town, there is a treehouse that deserves every accolade you can think of. Treehart has been the headquarters of several of those long-ago kids, where they played, had fun, ate too much candy, etc., etc. Treehart has been ruled by a succession of kings and queens who ruled with generosity until they started to sprout things like facial hair and acne and had to set aside the grown and (ugh) start growing up.
They run afoul of one of the local teachers
Mr. Grindle he was called, for his father was Mr. Grindle
and his mother was Mrs. Grindle, and that is how names work.
With just a touch, Grindle can bring about adolescence—or, even worse, adulthood. He started periodically raiding Treehart, begeezering all he could. And then, he'd clean it.
Ten kids turned teenaged, tired-eyed, ever-texting
eight turned middle-aged, aching, anxious, angry at the Internet.
Nearby, a former king's cousin has heard of the adultening and sent her fiercest warrior, Bea Wolf, to come and restore frivolity and childhood to Treehart by defeating Grindle. Epic tales are shared, a lot of soda and candy are consumed, and then the two face off in a battle that can only be described as "epic."
A BIT ABOUT THE ART
In the Acknowledgements, Boulet said that he really didn't have time to do the art for this book, but after reading part of the script, he knew he had to. I'm so glad he found—probably made—the time for it. This wouldn't be nearly as successful without his art.
It's playful and silly while not turning the whole thing into a joke. There's pathos, there's gravity, there's danger in his drawings. And yet they're attractive, winsome, and engaging, too. His art is everything the text is and more—yes, I think the book would've worked had it only been the text. But...he brings it to life in a way that words alone can't.
Boulet and Weinersmith are a potent and nigh-perfect match here. I cannot say enough good about this art.
On The Publisher's page for the book, there's a link to "Take a Look Inside!" I'd heartily recommend you giving that a glance so you can get a flavor of the look of the book.
ABOUT BEOWULF
After the tale (at least the first part of the tale) of Bea Wolf, Weinersmith spends a few times talking about what Beowulf is, its history, and the connection between this graphic novel and the source. It even talks about various translations to help a young reader pick one to try.
It's written in a way that definitely appeals to crusty old guys like me and very likely will appeal to younger readers, too. I'm not kidding, I've re-read it just for the jokes.
This essay ends by applying it to the reader:
If you've made it this far, all the way to the end of my notes, reading all these words in a book that’s mostly pictures, you must be either a librarian or a future writer. Or maybe both. If you haven't read the original Beowulf, you may be asking whether you should give it a shot. The answer is yes. It’s scary and it’s not for kids, so you'll probably really like it. If you’re a speaker of English, it’s the oldest big poem in something resembling your language, and it just happens to be one of the greatest stories ever written.
At one point, late in the original Beowulf poem, a dragon grows angry because a man steals from his golden hoard. Beowulf is part of the golden hoard of our language. Tolkien stole from it for his stories, and you should too. You might summon up a dragon of your own.
I don't know if this will inspire a future writer or not, but it worked for me.
(yeah, I strayed from my own topic there, but whatever...)
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT BEA WOLF?
I had so much fun reading this, from beginning to end. I was able to appreciate it on a few levels—as someone who appreciates cute and clever comic art, cute and clever comic writing, as a cute and comic take on the epic poem, and as a wonderful and romantic vision of childhood (and a vision of adulthood that hits pretty close to home a little too often). There are probably more levels I enjoyed it on, but that'll work for a starter.
The poetry itself was dynamite. Weinersmith did a fantastic job of capturing the flavor and spirit of the original and adapting it to a Middle-Grade level (while keeping it engaging for older readers).
I honestly don't know who the market is for this—sure, it's supposed to be for Children—but I wonder how many will be intrigued by the idea of it (hopefully, they will be prompted by clever adults/peers). On the other hand, I can't be the only fan of the original from High School/College/after those who finds the notion of this appealing. Thankfully, I do think both audiences will be pleased with the results and the time they spent with it.
There's at least one more book chronicling Bea's adventures. I cannot wait to see her deal with Grindle's mother.
I don't know if I'm doing a decent job of praising this—but I think you get the gist. Do yourself, your inner child, and possibly your children a favor and run out to pick this up. You'll be glad you did.
---
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---
Hey, wait!
Listen to the lives of the long-ago kids, the world-fighters,
the parent-unminding kids, the improper, the politeness-proof,
the unbowed bully-crushers,
the bedtime-breakers,
Show More
the raspberry-blowers,fighters of fun-killers, fearing nothing, fated for fame.
WHAT'S BEA WOLF ABOUT?
In some generic town, there is a treehouse that deserves every accolade you can think of. Treehart has been the headquarters of several of those long-ago kids, where they played, had fun, ate too much candy, etc., etc. Treehart has been ruled by a succession of kings and queens who ruled with generosity until they started to sprout things like facial hair and acne and had to set aside the grown and (ugh) start growing up.
They run afoul of one of the local teachers
Mr. Grindle he was called, for his father was Mr. Grindle
and his mother was Mrs. Grindle, and that is how names work.
With just a touch, Grindle can bring about adolescence—or, even worse, adulthood. He started periodically raiding Treehart, begeezering all he could. And then, he'd clean it.
Ten kids turned teenaged, tired-eyed, ever-texting
eight turned middle-aged, aching, anxious, angry at the Internet.
Nearby, a former king's cousin has heard of the adultening and sent her fiercest warrior, Bea Wolf, to come and restore frivolity and childhood to Treehart by defeating Grindle. Epic tales are shared, a lot of soda and candy are consumed, and then the two face off in a battle that can only be described as "epic."
A BIT ABOUT THE ART
In the Acknowledgements, Boulet said that he really didn't have time to do the art for this book, but after reading part of the script, he knew he had to. I'm so glad he found—probably made—the time for it. This wouldn't be nearly as successful without his art.
It's playful and silly while not turning the whole thing into a joke. There's pathos, there's gravity, there's danger in his drawings. And yet they're attractive, winsome, and engaging, too. His art is everything the text is and more—yes, I think the book would've worked had it only been the text. But...he brings it to life in a way that words alone can't.
Boulet and Weinersmith are a potent and nigh-perfect match here. I cannot say enough good about this art.
On The Publisher's page for the book, there's a link to "Take a Look Inside!" I'd heartily recommend you giving that a glance so you can get a flavor of the look of the book.
ABOUT BEOWULF
After the tale (at least the first part of the tale) of Bea Wolf, Weinersmith spends a few times talking about what Beowulf is, its history, and the connection between this graphic novel and the source. It even talks about various translations to help a young reader pick one to try.
It's written in a way that definitely appeals to crusty old guys like me and very likely will appeal to younger readers, too. I'm not kidding, I've re-read it just for the jokes.
This essay ends by applying it to the reader:
If you've made it this far, all the way to the end of my notes, reading all these words in a book that’s mostly pictures, you must be either a librarian or a future writer. Or maybe both. If you haven't read the original Beowulf, you may be asking whether you should give it a shot. The answer is yes. It’s scary and it’s not for kids, so you'll probably really like it. If you’re a speaker of English, it’s the oldest big poem in something resembling your language, and it just happens to be one of the greatest stories ever written.
At one point, late in the original Beowulf poem, a dragon grows angry because a man steals from his golden hoard. Beowulf is part of the golden hoard of our language. Tolkien stole from it for his stories, and you should too. You might summon up a dragon of your own.
I don't know if this will inspire a future writer or not, but it worked for me.
(yeah, I strayed from my own topic there, but whatever...)
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT BEA WOLF?
I had so much fun reading this, from beginning to end. I was able to appreciate it on a few levels—as someone who appreciates cute and clever comic art, cute and clever comic writing, as a cute and comic take on the epic poem, and as a wonderful and romantic vision of childhood (and a vision of adulthood that hits pretty close to home a little too often). There are probably more levels I enjoyed it on, but that'll work for a starter.
The poetry itself was dynamite. Weinersmith did a fantastic job of capturing the flavor and spirit of the original and adapting it to a Middle-Grade level (while keeping it engaging for older readers).
I honestly don't know who the market is for this—sure, it's supposed to be for Children—but I wonder how many will be intrigued by the idea of it (hopefully, they will be prompted by clever adults/peers). On the other hand, I can't be the only fan of the original from High School/College/after those who finds the notion of this appealing. Thankfully, I do think both audiences will be pleased with the results and the time they spent with it.
There's at least one more book chronicling Bea's adventures. I cannot wait to see her deal with Grindle's mother.
I don't know if I'm doing a decent job of praising this—but I think you get the gist. Do yourself, your inner child, and possibly your children a favor and run out to pick this up. You'll be glad you did.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Treebeard_404
This is a brilliant re-imagining of the Beowulf story, but made for kids. The original elements are here: the rhythmic alliteration of the narrative, the over-the-top adjectives, the woe-beset leader, the hall-raiding villain, and the hero from the outlands who saves the day. But truthfully, this
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version is more fun than the original, especially if you have even a marginal experience with a translation of the original. If you have a daughter, son, niece, nephew, or grandchild who is about 8 years old, get this book and read it aloud together. Best will be the bonds built with such book-bearing, fast-held the friendships forged in the folk tale. Show Less