Parents' Guide to

The Encyclopedia of Early Earth

By Andrea Beach, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Epic, adventurous, romantic, fantastic graphic novel.

Book Isabel Greenberg Contemporary Fiction 2013
The Encyclopedia of Early Earth Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

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What's the Story?

In THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF EARLY EARTH, the hero story teller sets off on a quest to find a piece of himself he feels is missing. He travels the world and has many adventures involving kings, gods, and monsters. Along the way he both tells and hears many stories about the full range of human experience. When he arrives on the other side of the Earth, he finds his true love, but capricious god Birdman is determined to prevent the story teller's happy-ever-after.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

Grand in scope yet emotionally intimate, this book provides a great framework for thinking about our place in the world, the nature of love, the difference between right and wrong, and so much more. As with most great mythology, the stories are satisfying, yet leave a lot to the imagination, thanks to carefully omitted extraneous detail. Kids will root for the story teller, recognize themselves in Kid and Kiddo, and enjoy exploring the vivid details in the richly imagined early Earth history. The book stays with you long after you've finished and is a joy and a pleasure to revisit time and time again.

Isabel Greenberg's refreshing, modern, yet familiar illustration style shows hints of influence ranging from Samurai Jack and Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends to Lynda Barry, all of which come together in a unique and captivating way.
The muted pen-and-ink palette is ably punctuated with primary colors that enhance and impact. Greenberg has a keen eye that conveys both the epic and the intimate with charm and wit. The writing underscores, enhances, and sometimes even undercuts the illustration to great effect. It adds a lot of humor, makes the characters relatable, and has a great rhythm and tone for reading aloud.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how some of the stories resemble biblical or mythical stories. Which ones do you recognize? Is it OK to tell traditional or sacred stories in a different way? Why, or why not?

  • Some of the stories show violent acts. Are they important to the story, or is there another way to tell and show them?

  • Do you like the illustrations? How well do the pictures and words go together? Which is more important, or are they both important, to telling the story? Why?

Book Details

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