Grace for Gus - by Harry Bliss (Hardcover)

About the Book

Grace is the quiet girl in the class. And Gus is the class guinea pig. Grace knows that Gus is lonely, so she sets off one night to help out her furry friend. Wherever she goes, Grace amazes and delights as she shares her many talents, showing how one person with a little pizzazz can make a difference. Told in graphic novel format without words.

Book Synopsis

* 3 starred reviews * Kirkus Best Books of 2018 * CCBC Choice for 2019 * Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year 2019 (5-9)*

Bestselling cartoonist and master visual storyteller Harry Bliss has concocted a delightful, near wordless graphic picture book with nods to famous cartoons, cultural icons, and the secret lives that creative people make for themselves.

Grace is the quiet girl in the class. And Gus is the class guinea pig.

Grace knows that Gus is lonely, and so she sets off one night to help out her furry friend.

Wherever she goes, Grace amazes and delights as she shares her many talents, showing how one person with a little pizzazz can make a difference.

Praise for Grace for Gus:

"Grace for Gus is so rich in smart sight gags, subtle cartoon homages, and clever visual references." --Alison Bechdel, cartoonist and author of the Eisner Award-winning Fun Home

"He had me at Guinea Pig!" --Jamie Lee Curtis, actress and New York Times bestselling author of Today I Feel Silly & Other Moods That Make My Day

"In his usual brilliant way, Harry Bliss brings humor and detail (details, details, details) to every panel. Linger on every panel as long as you can--there's something for everyone." --Doreen Cronin, author of Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type

Review Quotes

★ "A mostly wordless love letter to New York City, classic cartoons, and entrepreneurial ingenuity. The fun comes partly from watching...Bliss's panels, which are crammed with New York City Easter eggs and references to writers, comedians, and cartoon characters. An easy candidate for cherished bedtime favorite." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review)

★ "A love letter to NYC, to creative bespectacled schoolchildren, and to guinea pigs. The cameo appearances fly fast and furious throughout Bliss's giddily gleeful tale; comics characters abound; and everything printed...is a pun, pop culture reference, or entertaining insider-y joke." -- Horn Book (starred review)

★ "There is plenty to discover and chuckle over, from cartoon and literary characters and cultural icons to physical comedy, humorous book titles, and clever signs. Dramatic diagonals, beautiful contrasts in lighting, and a joyful vibrancy pervade the scenes. A heartwarming call and response." -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"Ferreting out the nonstop walk-ons, cameos, uncredited roles, and miscellaneous Easter eggs compels readers to slow down, re-read, argue, Google, and 'Didyacatchthat?!' their way though." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"[Kids will] love Grace's spunky quest to make a difference on her own." -- New York Times Book Review

"Beautifully paced and bursting with sight gags, Bliss's nearly wordless tale is a superb example of visual storytelling. A joyful romp that will entice budding graphic novel fans and grown-ups alike." -- School Library Journal

"The intensely detailed scenes are full of clever storytelling, and he fills the crowds with iconic New Yorkers (Spike Lee, Andy Warhol) and cartoonists (Edward Gorey, Shel Silverstein) and cartoon characters (Nancy, Tintin)." -- Booklist

"Grace for Gus is so rich in smart sight gags, subtle cartoon homages, and clever visual references." -- Alison Bechdel, cartoonist and author of Eisner Award-winning Fun Home

"Grace for Gus is stunning visually and in its creation of a brave and totally original new hero for our times." -- Kate McMullan, author of Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor winner I Stink!

"Grown-ups will chuckle at the nods to Andy Warhol or Walt Kelly, but it's the kids who will giggle nonstop as they spend time unearthing all the visual sight gags. A winner for all." -- Françoise Mouly, publisher of Raw Books and Toon Books, editor of The New Yorker

"In his usual brilliant way, Harry Bliss brings humor and detail (details, details, details) to every panel. Linger on every panel as long as you can-there's something for everyone." -- Doreen Cronin, author of Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type

"Harry Bliss' famous humor and eye for the telling detail gives this almost-wordless book tremendous verve and heart, and the reader plenty to think about." -- David Small, author and illustrator of National Book Award-winner Stitches

"He had me at Guinea Pig!" -- Jamie Lee Curtis, actress and New York Times bestselling author of Today I Feel Silly, and Other Moods That Make My Day