corncobwebs's review
Jack and Benny are spending the summer in a tiny seaside town called Chowder Bay. Jack thinks that the summer is going to be a drag until he and Benny meet Angus, a fisherman who introduces the boys to the legend of Old Salty. According to Angus, Old Salty is a gargantuan lobster with enough strength and ferocity to challenge any human. Furthermore, Angus claims to have actually tangled with Old Salty, and warns the boys to steer clear of her rage.
A couple days after their introduction to Old Salty, the boys and Angus learn that Dr. True's taffy shop has been robbed clean of all its candy. On a quest to find the thief, the trio discover that "The lobsters stole the taffy!" What's more, the regular-sized lobster are stealing the taffy on orders from Old Salty. Angus encourages the little guys to stand up against their master, which results in Old Salty emerging from the sea to battle Angus for his impertinence. Angus survives the encounter, but only with the help of a flock of very crafty seagulls. At the end of the story, Jack has completely forgotten his initial reluctance to spend the summer at Chowder Bay, and is excited to go on further adventures with Angus.
Not a big fan of this book. First of all, the drawings were too bold and angular for my taste. There wasn't a lot of nuance in the drawings, which made it hard to follow some of the more dramatic action scenes. The drawing style just made these scenes look jumbled to me. Furthermore, Angus was a totally affected character. He dressed and talked like he was some salty Scottish fisherman, which I didn't buy at all. Finally, I couldn't wrap my head around the idea that lobsters were stealing taffy. I could have dealt with it if there was some clever reason for it at the end, but we never find out what Old Salty is going to do with all that taffy. All in all, I vote "no" on this one. :/
A couple days after their introduction to Old Salty, the boys and Angus learn that Dr. True's taffy shop has been robbed clean of all its candy. On a quest to find the thief, the trio discover that "The lobsters stole the taffy!" What's more, the regular-sized lobster are stealing the taffy on orders from Old Salty. Angus encourages the little guys to stand up against their master, which results in Old Salty emerging from the sea to battle Angus for his impertinence. Angus survives the encounter, but only with the help of a flock of very crafty seagulls. At the end of the story, Jack has completely forgotten his initial reluctance to spend the summer at Chowder Bay, and is excited to go on further adventures with Angus.
Not a big fan of this book. First of all, the drawings were too bold and angular for my taste. There wasn't a lot of nuance in the drawings, which made it hard to follow some of the more dramatic action scenes. The drawing style just made these scenes look jumbled to me. Furthermore, Angus was a totally affected character. He dressed and talked like he was some salty Scottish fisherman, which I didn't buy at all. Finally, I couldn't wrap my head around the idea that lobsters were stealing taffy. I could have dealt with it if there was some clever reason for it at the end, but we never find out what Old Salty is going to do with all that taffy. All in all, I vote "no" on this one. :/
akmargie's review
3.0
A fun series. I like the mix of silliness and the sea legend. A good brothers book too.
library_brandy's review
4.0
Family vacations are always better when you encounter a legendary sea monster.
And how could you not love a book that has little lobsters telling the giant sea monster, "he said we didn't have to take orders from you, and ... we kinda think he's right. So... we're not gonna, um... do stuff for ya anymore... is that cool?"
And how could you not love a book that has little lobsters telling the giant sea monster, "he said we didn't have to take orders from you, and ... we kinda think he's right. So... we're not gonna, um... do stuff for ya anymore... is that cool?"
cransell's review
4.0
This graphic novel for children tells the legend of Old Salty (think of the Loch Ness Monster - but, being set in Maine, the monster is a mammoth lobster, instead of a dinosaur-like creature).
reviewsmayvary's review
5.0
Mission: #TBF2017-Matt Loux DONE!! Cute GN, two bros living on a bay w/ talking animals & a running tree?! Beware: ends on a cliffhanger.
More...