Graphic Novel Review: A Pillbug Story

Published by: Black Panel Press

Written by: Allison Conway

Illustrated by: Allison Conway

ISBN: 9781990521218

Ages: 12+

A day in the life of anyone often passes much like most. Time with friends, family, work, some food and drink, relaxation, entertainment, and eventually sleep. When such normalism is presented in literary form, we call it “slice of life.” Where the author has tapped into something unique, is that it is presented from the perspective of insects.

Millie is a pillbug (technically a crustacean, yes, but her discovery of that is part of the story), who enjoys spending time with her friends: a ladybug – Alfie, a spider with tons of kids – Holly, an ant over obsessed with aphids – Ruby, and a dragonfly – Ellie. They have tea parties, hang out at the playground, discuss their dreams… slice of life at its best. One scene is too hilarious not to mention: the “ladies” go to the beach and the lifeguard has to call for everyone to hide when a frog shows up.

Allison Conway (The Lab, So Much To Do) transfers her previously online published stories into a collection here in A Pillbug Story. If you enjoy slice of life stories, you will love the quirky twist on it brought out here. The illustrations are very cute and cozy, and should be enjoyed by all. Slight warning though… bugs can be kind of gross in how they live and eat.

Ages 12+

ADAM FISHER, Reference Associate

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Adam Fisher

Adam Fisher has worked for more than a decade at Lane Libraries in Fairfield, Ohio, where he is a Reference Associate. He creates and leads programming for all ages, manages the graphic novel, sci-fi/fantasy, and magazine collections at his branch, and has recently seen great success with his self-created Escape Room programs. He writes reviews for everything he reads and can be found on Goodreads @FisherAd80 and on Twitter @adamreadscomics.

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