Early Readers: Thunder and Cluck: Friends do not eat friends by Jill Esbaum, illustrated by Miles Thompson

 Mo Willems' Elephant and Piggie and the TOON imprint kicked off a shift towards early reader chapter books years ago, but only now are the traditional easy reader publishers jumping into the pool. Both Ready-to-Read and I Can Read are debuting new graphic novel easy readers this summer and for the next few weeks I'll be looking at a variety of their offerings.

Today, I'm starting with a level 1 series, Thunder and Cluck. Thunder is a big, grouchy, orange and purple monster. Cluck is small, green, and fast. Thunder is looking for food. Cluck is looking for friends. Will this odd couple match up in the end? Or will Thunder find herself some lunch before Cluck can make a fast getaway?

The plot is the classic odd couple, but Cluck's relaxed, cheery demeanor and Thunder's reluctant grouchiness add humor to what might otherwise be a tired plot device. A few friendship suggestions are included, but the main intent of this story is to introduce young readers to the graphic novel format. Towards that end Thunder and Cluck walk readers through how to read comics at the beginning, explaining speech bubbles and the flow of the panels.

Miles Thompson's art is funny and vibrant, with lots of bright colors and exaggerated expressions, contrasting the hulking Thunder and zippy Cluck, who just won't take RAWR for an answer. Jill Esbaum is an experienced author of a wide variety of children's materials and does a good job of providing dialogue that is simple and easily followed by emergent readers.

Ready-to-Read uses their own leveling system, which, to be honest, I find frustrating since parents and caregivers ask me for leveling systems they are familiar with, mainly Fountas and Pinnell in my area. However, it's fairly easy to compare these to other titles at this level and I'd put this into our red-stickered early readers, which cover levels D-H.

Verdict: If you're sorting through the new plethora of early reader graphic novels, Thunder and Cluck is definitely a winner with easily followed text and graphics for emergent readers and a funny storyline that will delight young readers. At least two more titles are planned in the series and they are available in paperback, prebound, and hardcover.

ISBN: 9781534486522; Published June 2021 by Simon Spotlight; Review copy provided by publisher; Donated to the library; Additional copy purchased for the library