Hergé, one of the most famous Belgians in the world, was a comics writer and artist. The internationally successful Adventures of Tintin are his most well-known and beloved works. They have been translated into 38 different languages and have inspired such legends as Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein. He wrote and illustrated for The Adventures of Tintin until his death in 1983.
It was bound to happen. Having journeyed everywhere from America to the Congo to Tibet, Tintin blasts into outer space. Together with his faithful pooch, Snowy, the spunky boy reporter has joined an expedition ``based at the Sprodj Atomic Center, high in the Zmyhlpathian Mountains, in the kingdom of Syldavia.'' Following a perfect lift-off, the myriad misadventures begin, as the ubiquitous ``certified detectives,'' Thomson and Thompson, are discovered on board--inadvertent stowaways who threaten to monopolize the ship's precious oxygen supply. All's well that lands well, however, as Tintin and his colleagues return safely. Except for two diverting spreads, the fairly pedestrian paper engineering adds little zip; the palette, too, seems somewhat attenuated for a tale of astronomical derring-do. Though the narrative is overlong for the pop-up book set, this disparity will probably not deter the intrepid voyager's many fans. Ages 4-8. (Apr.)
Gr 1-3-- Carrot-topped Tintin and companions travel to the Moon in Professor Calculus's spaceship and, thanks to bumbling stowaways Thompson and Thompson, have barely enough air to get back. The story itself was published some years ago, but readers can enjoy here a set of amusing, if fragile, flaps, wheels, sliding tabs, and other pop-up effects--the only sort of dimension this vanishingly slight adventure features. The herky-jerky narrative, laughable science, contrived disasters, and heavy consumption of alcoholic beverages are excellent reasons to pass this up, and Tintin fans will certainly forgive you if you do.-- John Peter, New York Public Library
|
Ask a Question About this Product More... |
|
