Craig Thompson is most noted for his award winning titles Blankets and Habibi. In a departure from his adult titles, Thompson has ventured into the world of comics for kids in this excellent futuristic space adventure.

Space Dumplins
By Craig Thompson.
Graphix. August 2015. ISBN 9780545565417
HC, $24.99. 320pp.
Grades 4 and up

Violet loves her parents. Though she sometimes feels like an outsider, being human in a mostly alien world, and not very accepted by other humans on the space station, she doesn’t care, because she has her wonderful loving family. There is constant danger in Violet’s world, such as attacks from whales that eat through any space debris. And society still isn’t very accepting of its varied species.

When Violet’s school suffers a whale attack her parents must find her another school. In the meanwhile she joins her mother at work on the space station, but is denied entrance to their space school. So she wanders around and befriends a little chicken name Elliot and reignites a friendship with a lumpkin Zaccaeus. When her dad goes missing, it’s up to Violet and her friends to try and save him. It’s a dangerous time in the midst of an environmental disaster of whale diarrhea. It has made travel difficult, triggered looting, and has created an energy crisis. Still Violet forges on with her friends and despite many mishaps and near death, is able to save her father.

This is a feel-good story about friendship and family. A story about grit and perseverance. Lots of humor and lots of adventure will keep readers turning the pages of this somewhat hefty comic. The detailed artwork will keep readers’ eyes glued to the pages. Most of the world-building of this futuristic, sci-fi adventure is done through the artwork, rather than through verse. The final copy will be in full color and will add layer and textures to the rich world created by Thompson.

A must-read for either back to school or the last days before vacation ends. Schools and libraries will want to add this to their collection.

This review is based on a complimentary copy supplied by the publisher. All images copyright © Graphix.