Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Magic Pickle by Scott Morse


Morse has created an out-of-the-ordinary superhero in this fabulous graphic novel, a Magic Pickle! I had this book recommended to me by a woman at Prairie Lights and decided to buy it. After reading it, I'm going back to buy the other 2 Magic Pickle books, Magic Pickle and the Planet of the Grapes and Magic Pickle vs. the Egg Poacher. The 2 second-grade students I work with have been in the process of making comic strips with me. Because of Morse's amazing technique and successful animation, the children often pick up this book to study some of the characteristics of comics. Also, they think it is hilarious and look up to Morse as a creator of comic books.


Magic Pickle likes to be referred to as "Weapon Kosher." Magic Pickle, a.k.a Weapon Kosher, came about after the scientist Dr. Jekyll Formaldehyde accidentally dropped the vegetable from his lunch into an experimental particle confabulator. The pickle gained superpowers, and "dill justice became his only desire." With the help of his sidekick, Jo Jo Wigman, Magic Pickle sets out to save the world from the Brotherhood of Evil Produce: Peashooter, Phantom Carrot and Chili Chili Bang Bang, Squish Squash and Romaine Gladiator.


Morse included a bonus story, Magic Pickle & The Loconut in Nuttin' But Crazy', and a how-to-draw guide for creating produce characters. This is a great book to have accessible to children of all ages, even though there is some advanced vocabulary. The second grade student I work with didn't seem to mind; he picked it up, read to himself and cracked up at almost every page.

2 comments:

  1. Rach,

    You WOULD read a book about magic pickles! :) This sounds hilarious - I think I might have to pick it up to read it. I'm glad you found something you enjoy and that your students like as well. I watched you with your kids the first day you worked with them and you were doing a great job - you're so creative with them! Doing a comic strip is probably a ton of fun for them (and something none of their other teachers have ever had them do). You're going to be an awesome teacher.

    And way to go, incorporating different genres into your blog! :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. This is one of my favorite books! We checked it our for Jack (my stepson--he's 4) and he "reads" it using the pictures over and over. He may not get all the subtleties, but he sure loves the idea!

    ReplyDelete