Bolivar
By Darienne Stewart,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Beautiful story of misunderstood dinosaur in big city.
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What's the Story?
BOLIVAR is a quiet dinosaur who doesn't like attention, which is why he lives in New York City: Everyone is too busy to notice him. Except for his neighbor, a young girl named Sybil who spots him on the street, at the art museum, and at his favorite deli, but she can't get any adults to believe her. A mistaken parking ticket prompts Bolivar to venture to City Hall, where he's swept up in a chain of events that results in citywide panic over fears of a carnivorous, rampaging beast. Bolivar wants to disappear back into his solitary life, but Sybil wants to help New Yorkers see him for what he really is: a gentle neighbor who loves books, music, and the city they share.
Is It Any Good?
Picture book meets graphic novel in this sweet, funny, and beautifully illustrated debut by Sean Rubin about an unassuming dinosaur who's hiding in plain sight amid the bustle of New York City. Like Lovable Lyle, about another famous reptile in the city, Bolivar approaches complex conversations about prejudice and neighborliness with humor and affection for city life.
Sybil's pursuit of her elusive neighbor pulls readers into the pages and into the lives of these two very different neighbors. Crosshatched illustrations in a warm palette of muted greens and golden yellow are a nod to the work of Calvin and Hobbes creator Bill Watterson and Maurice Sendak. Rubin packs his scenes with wonderful details, from the chaos of Sybil's class to tiny in-jokes like a reference to Jurassic Park and the number to call to complain about parking tickets: 1-800-NYC-YELL.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Sybil's difficulty getting adults to hear her in Bolivar. Do you think many adults are good listeners with children? How do you make sure adults really pay attention to you?
Does this feel like a picture book or a graphic novel?
What kind of assumptions might you be making about neighbors or other people you don't know well?
Book Details
- Author: Sean Rubin
- Genre: Graphic Novel
- Topics: Dinosaurs, Magic and Fantasy, Friendship, Great Girl Role Models
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Archaia
- Publication date: November 28, 2017
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 8 - 12
- Number of pages: 224
- Available on: Nook, Hardback, Kindle
- Last updated: April 6, 2020
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