An alligator is a lonely girl’s best friend.
Creative Staff:
Story and Art: James Burks
What They Say:
Gator has just never seemed to fit in with the other neighborhood pets…probably because he has a nasty habit of eating the other neighborhood pets. Flushed down the toilet as just a little snapper, Gator spends his days alone in the sewers…
On the streets above, little Gabby has never seemed to fit in with the other kids in town. She’d rather collect bottles and practice her tuba than gossip with the girls down at the pool, but it does get lonely being the only vegetarian on the block…
When Gabby and Gator meet, their fun and adventures prove that the best friends are those who accept you as you are, teeth and all!
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
Gator was once the mail order pet of a little boy. After baby Gator bit the dog’s tail, the mother forced the boy to flush the alligator down the toilet. This led to Gator’s phobia of water and toilets. He lives alone in a mostly dry storm drain. Gabby is a girl just beginning her summer vacation. She is a vegetarian who gardens, she recycles, and no one seems to respect her. Every child she encounters bullies or harasses her.
Burks targets the adult reader with points of interest directed at them. The urban legend of sewer gators and the reality of mail order alligators has been framed in a limited color palette that hints at black and white TV as well as noir and monster movies as a black silhouette of an alligator sneaks up on the silhouettes of a woman walking a dog. Then the colors brighten as we are introduced to Gabby, a coffee chugging girl who has seven things on her to-do list. Meanwhile, grown-up Gator sits in front of an old computer screen, typing the confessional, “Diary of a Dog Eater.” Even the villainous animal control officer seems to be a cross of Bill Murray from Caddyshack with the political rhetoric of the Florida Wildlife Commission.
Gabby & Gator offers slick visuals for children with content that an adult can appreciate. Like most books written for young children, Gabby & Gator presents a common narrative. Burks’ twist is that a moral about diversity and friendship plays off political and social opposites. What makes the book special is that most of the points are not explicit and allow for the adult reader to bring it to the attention of the child in a natural way that creates awareness and relevance for the child.
For example, Gabby has red hair and pale skin. She wears long sleeves when others wear short sleeves and summer clothes. When she goes to the pool, she has a sun hat, shades, and an umbrella. One kid tells another she is a freak, then three triplets sunning on chaise style chairs taunt with “are you afraid you’ll get a sunburn.” Gabby sinks to the bottom of the pool with an expression of shame and hurt. The scene changes without resolution, leaving the reader to interpret the trauma. This gives an adult the opportunity to create a frame appropriate for the child.
Some of the social issues contained in the story include bullying, self-esteem, and Gator’s panic disorder or PTSD. An adult reader will also find fun stereotypes of liberal and conservative politics. Best of all, the bottom third of the right pages have flip animation drawings of Gabby and Gator dancing. What better way to read serious stuff than to have the meta characters dance their way through the narrative?
James Banks’ art style remains consistent throughout the book with limited details for backgrounds and an emphasis on characters and the space immediately around them. While some of the character faces become repetitive, Gabby has been drawn with sympathetic, nuanced expressions. Colors remain bright and lively, and none of the panels feel busy or crowded. In scenes of visual one liners, slapstick, or action, the style flows, making transitions in the action natural. The trade paperback has quality paper with glossy ink, and the colors remain vibrant throughout.
In Summary:
Gabby & Gator offers younger children a visually stimulating book with simple and effective characters. Gabby has enough personality to engage older children who will recognize her situation and feelings. Burks adds enough subtext to amuse adults as they read this aloud. Gabby & Gator removes some of the moralizing from a traditional moral tale, offering kids and adults the freedom to address the issues using their own perspectives.
Grade: B
Age Rating: All Ages
Released By: Yen Press
Release Date: March 17th, 2015 (Paperback edition)
MSRP: $10.00
