Book Review - 'W.I.T.C.H. Adventures, #1: When Lightning Strikes' by Lene Kaaberbol (Writer), Disney Enterprises, Inc.

In keeping with my magical girl glittery nostalgia rush, and collecting anything to do with my current obsession: alongside 'Winx Club', there is 'W.I.T.C.H.'.

'W.I.T.C.H.' is another European/Italian magical girl series I loved as a child, yet I had not read 'W.I.T.C.H. Adventures, #1: When Lightning Strikes'. Well, now I don't think I'm too old or proud or "mature" for any media consumption, especially in reading, whether it's intended for kids or not, as quality should never differ depending on the age group of the target demographic.

So, in two hours tops I finished the 106-page 'W.I.T.C.H.' story, 'W.I.T.C.H. Adventures, #1: When Lightning Strikes', and what do I think? I think it is entertaining and well written enough. I certainly wouldn't deter any 'W.I.T.C.H.' fan from reading it.

It is told from the Guardian leader Will Vandom's point of view, and it is about a mysterious boy, Danny Nova, her new neighbour and crush (Matt Olsen is present, but there is no real love triangle, thank goddesses), and the story involves the Heart of Candracar, at its, uh, heart. The Guardian girls of Heatherfield, Earth, also end up exploring a magical world other than Metamoor, and it is full of creativity, tests and hardships. It is about W.I.T.C.H. and their friendship, love and care for one another, and about Will as their leader, in her ultimate test of courage, perseverance and believing in herself, and remembering what the Heart of Candracar in of itself means - to her, and in general - and it's not only a magic amulet which transforms five young teen girls into magical girls with elemental powers, whose job is to save and bring balance to the universe. Will's power of energy has more than one meaning behind it.

It shows how obsessed with 'W.I.T.C.H.' I was in my childhood that I didn't need to doublecheck that I'm spelling any of the character, place and object names correctly. The terminology rests in my heart forever.

'W.I.T.C.H. Adventures, #1: When Lightning Strikes' is short, yes, and it definitely could have been fleshed out more and paced better, especially in the first quarter. A few editing and proofreading jobs were needed, too. It is told from Will's perspective, so her day-to-day life, actions, thoughts, feelings, and development are focused on, which leaves the presence of the other four girls, Irma, Taranee, Cornelia and Hay Lin, somewhat weightless, thin and underdeveloped. Although they do get a few good, funny lines in, and Taranee is the second strongest personality-wise of the Guardians, being Will's best friend and so the one she hangs out most often with. The book's highlight - just above Will's funny talking electrical home appliances, and her lovely, loving mother Susan - is its second half, where the girls enter a new magical world and dimension, which I wont spoil anything about. The story can get surprisingly dark, clever and introspective for a supposed silly commercial magical girl product.

Indeed, I remember the 'W.I.T.C.H.' comics and chapter books being a lot smarter, more thoughtful and character driven than you might expect, so it is fitting.

'W.I.T.C.H. Adventures, #1: When Lightning Strikes' is for children - it is a school breaktime read - but I think 'W.I.T.C.H.' fans of any age can enjoy it. It is a nostalgic novella for me to be sure. Reading from Will's POV had captured and regained a lost feeling of me as a teenage girl (she is probably the most like me out of W.I.T.C.H.) - that alone makes it worth the price of admission. To buy and read the little book, that is.

What a nice, heartfelt, compassionate, friendly, and dramatic trip.

As always, GO W.I.T.C.H.!

For more of my 'W.I.T.C.H.' content and analyses, here is the link to my 'W.I.T.C.H.' Goodreads shelf. I've always been obsessed - in the franchise's early days, anyway - I admit it.

Final Score: 3.5/5

Graphic Novel Review - 'Winx Club, Vol. 1: Bloom's Discovery' by Iginio Straffi (Creator)

Contains the first two 'Winx Club' comic stories, lifted almost beat-for-beat from the cartoon. It's nothing I haven't read before. But it's a nice, pretty, cute, sparkling, and funny intro to the comic book series, and a great nostalgic collector's item (let the kids read it too, of course!). It's all about Bloom, and how relatable, aspiring and inspiring that fiery, fairy girl is!

Review of 'Winx Club: Magic Collection' here.

Review of 'Winx Club Vol. 1: Welcome to Magix' here.

Final Score: 3.5/5

Book Review - 'Tinsel: The Girls Who Invented Christmas' by Sibéal Pounder

A review of a Christmas book in July?

Okay then.

I won't reveal much about this children's Christmas feminist celebration and cheer in book form, except that it is about how two orphan girls, Blanche Claus and Rinki, started the Santa Claus myth, character and tradition, in the Victorian times.

'Tinsel: The Girls Who Invented Christmas' - it has that subtitle for a reason.

There are many clever references and twisty-twists to the Santa lore here - obscure or otherwise, subtle or otherwise. And overall it is a sweet, charming, funny, wholesome, whimsical yet edgy, massively creative, boldly subversive fairy tale, that gets surprisingly dark, shocking and teary towards its end - ending in hope and bliss. It contains overt, vital messages about feminism for a children's book.

It is a great, original Christmas story. It is begging to be adapted into an animated film.

In 'Tinsel', there are LOADS of mince pies, mince-pie picnics, candy canes, baubles, tinsel, chimneys, handkerchiefs, designer dresses, and elves named Carol. There's an enchanted talking Christmas tree named Eggnog, a secret witchcraft recipe book, and the statue of Boudicca in London - its inclusion is important to the plot.

Oh yeah, and it has a gay couple, Captain Gadin Garland (aka Jolly) and Teddy, who adopt Rinki. They are explicitly her fathers. They live together. They adore each other, and Teddy is a colourful, flamboyant dressmaker. It is pretty obvious they are meant to be a couple; it's barely subtext. It's amazing and nice to see in a modern children's Christmas book.

I do ship the "best friends", Blanche and Rinki, too. They are very close, loving and adoring; they are everything to each other. They are Christmas to each other. A magical bond, indeed, destined to change the world. Santa who?*

Good on you, Sibéal Pounder, you've exceeded my expectations in so many ways with 'Tinsel'.

'Tinsel: The Girls Who Invented Christmas' - a flurry of soft snowflakes enchanted into the written word, twinkly yet powerful, and warm as hot chocolate on Christmas Eve night. It's a magical Christmas fable; a yarn of yuletide love, magic, inventory and humour. An instant classic.

I'm glad to have finally read it. It is so breezy (and snowy, stormy and blizzardy!), it can be read in a day.

Happy Christmas in July!

Final Score: 4/5

P.S. How did Blanche survive alone for many years, from a very young age, in the cold, dirty streets of Victorian London, and living under a bridge? This is hardly explained. It is a rough dent in my suspension of disbelief, even in a fairy tale. Realistically, Blanche would have had the same fate as the Little Match Girl within her first week on the streets.

*To be fair, Santa is also a sweet and funny character in his own right. His incarnation and interpretation is... very interesting. Totally unexpected. I won't dare spoil anything else about him.

Manga Review - 'Disney Mirrorverse: Belle' by Alex Singer (Writer), Irene Flores (Artist), Jan Apple (Storyboard Artist)

I know absolutely nothing about Disney's 'Mirrorverse' (I thought it was 'Kingdom Hearts'? Or was it 'Dreamlight Valley'?). And I have absolutely no interest in getting to know, and getting involved in, any of their latest unoriginal, unimaginative, soulless, overblown, oversaturated, nostalgia-bait, symptom-of-the-creative-bankruptcy-of-late-stage-capitalism crossover/multiverse cash grabs. But with 'Disney Mirrorverse: Belle', I only had to see the cover, and the second I found out about its premise of Belle as a sorceress and an action fantasy heroine, well, consider me immediately baited - hook, line, sinker, *%$£*!-yeah-give-it-to-me-you-dirty-evil-mouse. The spell is successfully cast and activated.

It stars my favourite Disney princess, who also happens to be my favourite Disney heroine, of my favourite Disney movie. Who in this incarnation is a heroine with a magic staff and who wears a winter cloak and cape, and boots. How could I not be interested?

I had to get my hands on 'Disney Mirrorverse: Belle', and funnily enough, on the morning I ordered it online, I received it later that night, and I read it right then and there in a flash. A flash of magic lightning.

Because, to my pleasant surprise and relief, this Disney "manga" is actually really, really good. It's a really well written and clever retelling, retooling and reimagining of Disney's 'Beauty and the Beast'. I could tell that the writer, Alex Singer, must love the film, and love and understand the characters, and was paying extra, careful attention. As a result, we get a new story with twists, subversions, and attention to details, overt and subtle, that work on their own, as well as being lifted from and inspired by the original, beloved classic, which to this day remains as close to being something resembling perfection as Disney ever got.

I won't reveal much about what the twists and details of 'Belle' are, as it is truly best to go into it completely blind like I was, and not have any awe-inspiring, awestriking and awesome surprises spoiled before reading, but the basic idea, the premise, is: In this universe, the enchantress's spell on the Beast goes horribly wrong, and ends up affecting the woods and the village as well as the castle, and it is up to Belle - smart, logical, resilient, resourceful, brave, determined, no-nonsense, kind bookworm Belle - with her magic rose the enchantress gave her, to save her people, her town, her kingdom, from the curse (but maybe she doesn't have to do it all alone?). She's a detective, with books and secret, secluded libraries for research, as well as a heroine with a staff with a magic rose in it, which she primarily uses to temporarily heal dark magic.

I love that Belle is very much in character from the thirty-three-year-old film, even as a more active, proactive heroine who uses magic. It doesn't detract from her ordinary human strength, resolve, intelligence, inquisitiveness, levelheadedness, bold determination, kindness, caring, and understanding - all in service to save everyone, from her loved ones to the village bookshop owner to a little teacup to mysterious and hostile strangers. She's the town oddball who's always felt different, a lonely outsider - first it was for her book reading, and now it'll be because of her magic - and she gets frustrated with people's small-mindedness brought on by fear of what they don't understand. This trait is important to the story, to Belle's character development (like maybe she's not so selfless after all, and that's okay, that's human, and pride is not always a bad trait).

I could still relate to Belle strongly and full-heartedly. I still love her to death. I could still hear Paige O'Hara's voice easily in her dialogue, it's remarkable.

In fact, the same can be said for all the other characters. They're the same, they're just in a tweaked story that goes in a different- yet-similar (even slightly updated) direction from the original animated film. They also manage to look distinctly recognisable when drawn in a manga-style. Thankfully there are no big sparkly eyes here; nothing distracting, off-putting or predictable about the art.

But anyway, what I'm getting at is: Belle is a wonderful protagonist, who would make a great leader, and like Lisa Simpson, she is someone we should all aspire to be like. These cartoon females are the best.

Honestly, this is less a review of 'Disney Mirrorverse: Belle', and more an excuse for me to gush about Belle, which I haven't done in years. It looks like I have another example of one of the very, very few things I can thank Disney for these days: this story about my favourite outcast brunette bookworm princess, as - and I cannot stress this point enough - a sorceress and action fantasy heroine!

It's sadly not perfect - there remain a few plot holes and unresolved plot threads and details, and confusions in some of its expository dialogue. Not to mention there's that cliffhanger ending that leads into the 'Mirrorverse' game's storylines, and that screams, "This is still a corporation's product, and we own your money and soul, and always will". But it is a good enough story, and I love Belle that much, that I can overlook these.

I will be keeping this Disney manga close to my heart, alongside 'Disney Cruella: The Manga: Black, White, and Red', and other female-empowering Disney books, such as 'Beauty and the Beast: Belle's Library', 'Disney Frozen: A Sister More Like Me', 'One Perfect Day (Brave)', and 'Long Live the Pumpkin Queen' (Sally, Elsa and Merida are other favourites of mine).

It looks like, despite everything, I am guilty, and continue to be under Disney's enchantment and thrall. But when it comes to 'Beauty and the Beast', its story, and Belle, stay beautiful.

And timeless.

And respected.

Final Score: 4/5

Graphic Novel Review - 'Winx Club Vol. 1: Welcome To Magix' by Iginio Straffi (Creator)

I'm nostalgic for magical girls and magical girl shows and comics from my childhood again, and one of them I'm revisiting is 'Winx Club'.

Aah the colourful, cosmic, glittery, girly, fashionable fairy goodness!

'Winx Club Vol. 1: Welcome To Magix' contains no comic stories (there are three of them) I haven't read before in 'Winx Club: Magic Collection', and it's not exactly a great starting point for newcomers or nonfans. Still, as a revisit after so many years, it is something to be treasured. It is a classic 'Winx Club' time capsule product. It is colourful, vibrant, sweet, funny, silly, surprisingly thoughtful, and so darn charming. Its action and excitement are diminished, however, when we only see Bloom transform into her fairy form here (the cover is a liar).

Speaking of, Bloom is a sweetie, and creative, caring and loyal, and is no pushover. She is a determined and assertive heroine who will always fight and strive to do what is right. And you've got to love sensitive yet glamourous redheads with good taste. The comics really give Techna a much-needed edge and attitude, too. Stella, the spoiled, thoughtless diva and troublemaker fairy princess who cares not a butterfly's wings about consequences, is a strong, dynamic, dynamite presence on every pages she's in. Hooray for imperfect heroines! Sadly Musa and Flora aren't given nearly enough presence and personality in these stories. But it's early days here.

Much attention is given to the boys - the future boyfriends, the Red Fountain specialists. But not enough to take away from Bloom and the fairies of the Winx Club.

The translation from Italian in this edition is different from the future collected 'Winx Club: Magic Collection', which is interesting. One notable difference is the keeping of Prince Sky's and Brandon's switched identities, as at the beginning their true identities are not supposed to be known yet. One big continuity error I have to comment on is Bloom's relationship to Brandon (actually Sky); like at the end of one story they get on well and romantically together, and dance with each other, but the next story tells a different, um, story, where the two were awkward together, and their meeting was brief, with no dancing. They remain awkward and at odds from that point onwards. But I guess that version of them is realistic for teenagers, and more suitable, considering Sky's deceiving Bloom about who he really is. Secret keeping is awkward between teens.

'Winx Club Vol. 1: Welcome To Magix' - nice, cute, cartoony fantasy fairy comics about friendship, romance, school, fashion, evil witches, monsters, mystery, and of course, magic. It's a nostalgia trip, and a palatable addition to any 'Winx Club' fan's memorabilia.

Welcome back to the club!

Final Score: 3.5/5

Book Review - 'No Cats in the Library' by Lauren Emmons

This is so cute! Its cuteness cannot be contained! It cannot be minimalised or shelved away!

'No Cats in the Library' contains two things I love - cats and libraries. Put the two together and you get this wholesome, fluffy, funny, comfy, cosy, quaint, heartwarming, too-cute-for-this-world picture book.

Clarisse the stray kittycat loves books, and loves looking at people reading them. She wants to go into a library, where people enter emptyhanded but come back out with books. How magical the concept is to her! But uh oh, cats aren't allowed in the library! The kittycat will have to sneak in somehow, and make life better for the children in the children's section, and for the librarian.

In a library, every day is filled with stories, which is Clarisse's dream come true.

Seriously, how can this not be a dream come true also for every book lover and cat lover out there? It is just. so. cute. It is a darling of a little book. Very diverse, too.

No real review necessary - just read it! Now!

Final Score: 4.5/5

Graphic Novel Review - 'Not-So-Sleeping Beauty: An Untraditional Graphic Novel (I Fell Into a Fairy Tale)' by Katie Schenkel (Writer), Vincent Batignole (Artist)

I happened upon this by slight chance in my local library. I was in town and didn't even plan on going to the library that day. But oh-me-oh-my did this 29-page children's emotional educational graphic novel surprise me.

'No-So-Sleeping Beauty: An Untraditional Graphic Novel' is part of the 'I Fell Into a Fairy Tale' series, and this one is a subversion and reconstruction of the Sleeping Beauty tale. It's about a kid named Remi (who is androgynous in appearance, and always wears traditional boys' clothes, and her pronouns are only specified in the comic once, and all the blurbs I've read refer to her as she/her... still, her gender nonconformity is a great touch to a modern children's educational book), who, when browsing in a library, literally, magically falls into the storybook of Sleeping Beauty.

I won't spoil anything important, but 'Not-So-Sleeping Beauty' is very funny, as well as short and sweet. Sleeping Beauty herself, Princess Briar Rose, is a POC, and is smart, friendly, resourceful and brave. There are messages of friendship, kindness, communication, and empathy. And consent.

The art is great. Colourful, vibrant, bold, and expressive, like any modern, more mainstream fantasy graphic novel. It is something I did not expect in an obscure children's comic this short.

In fact, there were a lot of things in 'Not-So-Sleeping Beauty' I did not expect, and which pleasantly surprised me. I recommend it for a good, bountiful five-minute read, for all ages. It is sure to relax and assure particularly sensitive kids in need of cheering up; to show them they are not alone, and that there are positive things - positive changes - in life. Things to look forward to. For anything is possible.

It's good therapy for the young and the young at heart, I'd say.

Its inclusion is a must for school libraries.

Final Score: 3.5/5

Happy Birthday to Me

It's my birthday! And here are some pics of where I went with my family today xxx 💗💗💗💜💜💜