Book Nook - Sib Squad Graphic Novels

What younger sibling hasn't wanted to tag along with an older kid, being able to do what they're doing even if they're not ready? That's the situation in Sib Squad, a graphic novel series. Today, National Sibling Day, is the perfect day to check this graphic novel series out!

While the four older siblings get to go off and do fun things, the three younger siblings feel left out. The original installment, Sib Squad, sets the stage for crazy adventures when the siblings set up the club in their treehouse, including wishes gone wrong. Sib Squad: Flying High sees the siblings in adventures in the sea and sky. Sib Squad: Hole Lotta Trouble has robots and wormholes. Each of the graphic novels works fine as a standalone book - the set-up of not being included with the older siblings is an easy one that only takes a few frames. 

Bonus - each book has a downloadable activity packet, to extend the fun and also add an element of learning in engaging ways, with word searches, mazes, discussion questions, and more. The books are family-friendly and great for reluctant readers, as well as families looking for books with a little bit of suspense but nothing too gory or scary.

I had a chance to learn more in this interview.

What was the inspiration behind the Sib Squad stories?

It was my desire to create a vehicle through which I could tell simple, fun and fanciful stories using the graphic novel art form. I wanted a set-up where my imagination could take things anywhere. I usually develop a character first, then try to imagine how that character would react in various settings and scenarios. But the Sib Squad series was a bit different. I created the premise of a club for kids where they did "amazing, mind-blowing things" first, then I developed the kids who would be members of that club. 

How will elements of these stories resonate with kids of all ages, whether or not they're the younger siblings?

I think the humor and the art will hopefully appeal to kids of various ages. I also think the personalities of the three Squad members, Bruce, Lucy and Oliver, are so different, there's something for everyone to identify with. 

What do you like about the graphic novel format?

I was a professional cartoonist for many years so I am very comfortable pacing dialogue, gags, action, etc in that medium. Graphic novels are different than editorial cartoons and comic strips, of course, but there's a lot of overlap.  I also love the creative freedom. You have a lot of real estate to "play around" visually. You're like a movie producer who does it all to tell the story: cinematography, direction, set design, costume design, screenwriting, etc. You have total control over how the content is presented to the reader. The only limit is your imagination. And time. These things take forever to create! 

Steve Breen grew up in Orange County, California, as the oldest of seven siblings, and he now has a bunch of kids of his own. So Steve knows siblings! He is fascinated by kids and the things they do, the stuff they say, and the clubs they create. He enjoys working in his home studio in San Diego County, even when the house gets noisy and his art supplies mysteriously go missing. Steve has won two Pulitzer Prizes (1998, 2009) for his editorial cartoon work and several broadcasting Emmys for his video work. He is also the author-illustrator of several children’s books, including Stick, Violet the Pilot, and Woodpecker Wants a Waffle.