Monday – Into the Cave of Thieves

July 26, 2021
Dash Candoo, 11, who appears to be a character of color with dark curly hair, has a penchant for narrating in lists and a knack for attracting “total mayhem.” When Dash’s breakfast is interrupted by the random appearance of three combat-ready, ninja-like wrestle-scallywags and the two-tailed Devil-Cat, he’s in for a so-called “total mayhem situation.” Dash handily vanquishes these unusual foes, but the bedlam continues over the course of a day at Swedhump Elementary, which features unlikely classes such as “Vegetables” and “Paper Airplanes.” A sprawling, fast-paced plot unfolds, involving the world’s largest carrot, the theft of a trophy and the world’s most expensive perfume, underground tunnels, a quadcycle chase, and an abundance of Bond-esque gadgets used by Dash and his white sidekick and best friend, Rob Newman. Rough, doodle-like b&w line drawings are paired with a typeface of varying size, conveying the feel of a child’s notebook. With enough detailed world-building to fill an almanac, Lazar and Swerling (Happiness Is...) concoct a high-octane caper in this early graphic novel series starter. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 7–10.

August 1, 2021
Is there anything worse than mayhem ruining your breakfast? Dash Candoo is no ordinary elementary schooler. After he dispatches three fearsome Wrestle-Scallywags and a two-tailed Devil Cat that interrupted his breakfast, Dash heads to Swedhump Elementary to take classes like Vegetables and Paper Airplanes alongside English and math. But the morning's mayhem was just the beginning: Items are mysteriously stolen from school grounds in broad daylight. Dash knows the Scallywags and Devil Cat are involved, and he immediately begins investigating. But he will need the help of his best friend, Rob Newman, some highly specific gadgetry, and several secret tunnels if he wants to figure out who's behind the thefts and why before the villains carry out their final plan. With this series opener, Lazar has crafted a visual narrative that lands somewhere between a wacky cartoon and an increasingly outlandish group round robin. With Dash narrating all the background exposition and action play-by-play, readers don't have much breathing room as the plot hurtles forward--something Lazar seems to anticipate with the inclusion of occasional double-page spreads to break up the momentum as well as the promise of a treat should a reader finish the book in one sitting. The underlining of certain terms to signal that readers can find further information in copious backmatter also offers the option to pause. Black-and-white illustrations render Dash and a few other characters as characters of color. Sequel Tuesday--The Curse of the Blue Spots publishes simultaneously. Delightfully chaotic. (Graphic adventure. 7-10)

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