Super Amoeba (Squish Series #1)

by Jennifer L. Holm, Matthew Holm Narrated by Mary Dilts, Jorjeana Marie, Rob Shapiro, Maxwell Glick, Andrea Emmes, Kirby Heyborne, Marc Cashman, Mark Deakins, Fred Sanders, Rene Ruiz, Jim Meskimen, Tonya Cornelisse

Overview

Soon to be an animated show on HBO Max!

It's SQUISH-a graphic novel series, now adapted for audio, about a comic book-loving, twinkie-eating grade school AMOEBA trying to find his place in the world (or at least trying to make it through a school day). Inspired by his favorite comic book hero, SUPER AMOEBA!, Squish has to navigate school (bullies! detention! Principal Planaria!), family (dad: Hates to wear a tie. Secretly listens to heavy metal in the car), and friends (Peggy-rainbows! happy all the time! and Pod . . . who's . . . well, you just have to meet him). Can Squish save the world-and his friends-from the forces of evil lurking in the hallways? Find out in Squish: Super Amoeba-saving the world, one cell at a time!

Editorial Reviews

Dan Kois

Super Amoeba is an energetic, good-hearted escapade, one that young readers will enjoy.
—The New York Times

From the Publisher

New York Times:
"An energetic, good-hearted escapade, one that young readers will enjoy."

Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews:
* "Hilarious. If ever a new series deserved to go viral, this one does."
 
The Bulletin:
"A perfect mix of writing that is simple enough for early readers but still remarkably snarky, clever, and entertaining. Kids will soak up the humor, tidbits of science instruction, and adventure."

School Library Journal

Gr 2–4—The creators of "Babymouse" (Random) return with the more boy-centric Squish. He lives in a world that is a microscopic facsimile of our own. The only difference is that everyone is an amoeba, including his best friends, nerdy Pod and relentlessly chipper Peggy. Squish faces a dilemma when the school bully wants to copy off his science test. The menacing amoeba even threatens to eat Peggy if he doesn't get his way. Squish fantasizes about dealing with the problem like Super Amoeba, the hero of his favorite comic book, who always has the "courage to do what's right." While the conclusion is a bit abrupt, it will likely generate laughs and leave readers ready for the next installment. Characters are mostly types, with a clear focus on laughs and moving the plot along. The loose, inky cartoon illustrations are bathed in shades of lime green. Panel layouts are simple and clear, ensuring first-time graphic-novel readers a smooth ride. Likable and entertaining, Super Amoeba will be super popular.—Travis Jonker, Dorr Elementary School, MI

Kirkus Reviews

The hilarious misadventures of a hapless young everylad who happens to be an amoeba. Countering the (perceived, at least) girliness of their Babymouse series, the talented Holms turn to the microbial world for new graphic material. Like his revered comics hero, Super Amoeba, blobby Squish is determined to "do what's right." This turns out to be relatively easy when it's his mooching buddy Pod suckering him into switching lunches or his relentlessly cheery classmate Peggy the paramecium (her every utterance trailed by a line of exclamation points!!!!!) begging him to come over after school to meet her new slime mold Fluffy. It's a lot harder when brutish bully Lynwood callously envelops and begins to digest the seemingly doomed Peggy for a snack. The siblings draw it Babymouse-style in thick lined cartoon panels with garish green highlights and dialogue balloons. Plenty of helpful arrows point out significant anatomical details ("Pseudopods") or offer snarky side comments. The episode zips along to a climactic ugly (but just) surprise for Lynwood, then closes with an easily doable prank/science project involving a moistened slice of bread. If ever a new series deserved to go viral, this one does.(Graphic novel. 7-9)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940173131690
Publisher:	Penguin Random House
Publication date:	01/25/2022
Series:	Squish Series , #1
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	5 - 8 Years

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