Frankie and the Beastly Bog Song

Caitlin Rose Boyle grew up admiring all sorts of creepy critters in rural southern Maryland. When she isn't drawing comics, she's working as a storyboard revisionist in the animation industry. She lives on the West Coast with her two cats, her husband, and an extensive collection of houseplants.

"Frankie kicks off her summer break in a remote cabin where she plans to work for her mom as a research assistant while they study pond animals. Frankie aims to impress her mom, who is also her scientist hero. When the animals become too scary, Frankie hides away from the excitement. Determined to prove her bravery, she sneaks out of the cabin alone to study the bog and its unique ecosystem. But once she conquers her fears and soaks in the pride she feels for her actions, she finds herself in danger. This nature-infused adventure demonstrates the importance of facing fears and taking life one step at a time. The text introduces readers to interesting animals, such as the orb-weaver spider, snapping turtle, star-nosed mole, and skinks. The book’s humor and wit work well for the intended audience, and Frankie is a dynamic character that readers will fall in love with. Boyle’s cartoon-style characters pair well with the animals featured in the text, and readers will enjoy the engaging, varied panels. The illustrations enhance the tone of each spread, using colors to drive the mood. Fans of adventure and suspense will enjoy Frankie’s quest to discover new species. VERDICT This charming graphic novel will draw a wide range of adventure-loving readers and belongs in libraries and classrooms"