Bone: The Complete Cartoon Epic in One Volume by Jeff Smith

Bone is a classic: fantastic for all ages, and even better the second time around. I hadn't read this in a while. It came across the library check-in counter, and it just had to come home with me. I read the majority of it waiting around or flying in between airports on a recent vacation. While having it all collected into one volume is handy, it is also VERY HEAVY. I do not recommend this as a travel size, to say the least. However, my temporary discomfort gave way to instant enjoyment as I turned every page. I've heard it referred to as "Lord of the Rings meets Dickens - but funnier," and I am inclined to agree.

The Bone cousins have been run out of Boneville after another one of Phoney's schemes goes awry. The three cousins - Phoney, Smiley, and Fone (pronounced "funny") - make their way through unfamiliar terrain until they are separated in the woods. Fone is lost. He thought he was following a trail of Phoney's cigars, but it turns out they belonged to a dragon (yes, a dragon!). He is chased by some rat creatures who apparently want to bake him into a quiche! Luckily, he runs into some nice kids (animals and insects), and they point him in the direction of Gran'ma Ben and Thorn (humans). This turns out to be fantastic advice for Fone. Little heart bubbles start erupting above his head the moment he sees Thorn.

Her kind heart compels her to offer him a place to stay for the night, and the two plan to ask Gran'ma Ben if he can stay longer. They win her over, and settle in for the winter. Fone plans to search for his cousins as soon as spring comes. All winter Fone pines over Thorn, writing her terrible love poems, searching for just the right words to express himself, but he never shows them to anyone.

When spring arrives, so do Smiley and Phoney who have been staying in town. Smiley arrived first, and Phoney ran into him there. Phoney's natural greed kicks in and he starts another "get rich quick" scheme to get as much out of the villagers as he can...which begins to reflect negatively on Gran'ma Ben's cow chasing abilities (you just have to read it). Meanwhile, Thorn is starting to have weird dreams about dragons and princesses and The Dreaming. The rat monsters are being seen more often around the village. Everyone is starting to get nervous, and Gran'ma Ben seems to know more than she's telling.

There is more to this graphic novel than meets the eye. Far from just a sweet comedic tale, this involves fantasy, adventure, life lessons, and great characters. To tell much more would be a disservice to readers, so I won't. Just pick it up today, and you won't be sorry. I read the entire 1332 page tome in less than 4 days. I recommend this for early readers, reluctant readers, graphic novel fans, boys, girls, grandmas, families, and classrooms.

Fone's attempt to illude the rat creatures on his flight through the forest.

*Library Link*

 If you liked this, check out:
Rose by Jeff Smith
The Stonekeeper (Amulet, Book 1) by Kazu Kibuishi
Fables: Deluxe Edition 1 by Willingham, Buckingham, and Medina

Smith, Jeff. (2004). Bone: The Complete Cartoon Epic in One Volume. Columbus, Ohio: Cartoon Books.