On the Sapphire's Trail (Hotel Strange, 2)

"This graphic novel is something of a personality test. On the last page of the story, monsters in togas are performing an opera while bandits play the oboe. Some readers will find this odd. Other readers will wonder why every book doesn't have a giant who sings Offenbach. Those readers are the target audience. They'll be pleased that the story also includes a journey into the giant's belly, which is filled with furniture, cleaning supplies, and the occasional fez. Anyone looking for a straightforward adventure story will find one. There's a perfectly logical mystery involving a missing jewel. But the digressions are much more entertaining than the plot, including a recipe for cookies and--most notably--the endlessly inventive drawings of monsters. It's rare to see the same type of creature twice. There are fish with antennae and dust bunnies with tails, and there's Mr. Snarf, an elegantly dressed gentleman with a green, glowing head. (Serious fans of children's literature will also be glad that the bandits resemble Tomi Ungerer's Three Robbers.) Adventure lovers will like the surprising plot twists; fans of opera and cookies will appreciate the many times the story is derailed; everyone will be pleased that there's a happy ending--even for the bandits."--Kirkus Reviews

"The series opener of this French import, Wake Up, Spring (2015), began when the Hotel Strange swung wide its doors after a long winter's nap. Now, it's finally summer, and Marietta and the gang are getting the place ready for the big music festival. Everyone is helping out except Kiki, who is annoyed that everything's so loud. When he becomes convinced a catastrophe is on its way, he and Marietta scramble to solve problems all over the forest. Is it the arrival of annoying but probably not catastrophic Ninette? What about the Arggoyle who wants to bring his horrible voice to the music festival? The real catastrophe, it turns out, is a band of robbers who kidnap Marietta so she might help them find their missing sapphire. Though the plot turns are occasionally puzzling--why, exactly, did the robbers need Marietta's help?--the fine-lined figures, cartoon action, warm colors, and fanciful scenes make this fablelike title very appealing. A pleasant choice for young comics fans looking for a gentle fantasy adventure, even if they are new to the series."--Booklist Online