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NoBody Likes You, Greta Grump
In this middle grade graphic novel from the acclaimed animator/cartoonist, Greta and her friend (and pet tortoise!) must solve the mystery of Friendlytown. Greta is a handful. She rips the heads off her dolls, lashes out at the other kids at her school, and tries her weary parents’ patience. But with the help of a dapper tortoise named NoBody, Greta softens her grumpy ways. Having learned her lesson, Greta must now team up with her new friend Gabby and their shelled companion to solve a strange mystery: Why have the kindhearted denizens of Friendlytown suddenly become so mean? And what can they do to make Friendlytown friendly again? In NoBody Loves You, Greta Grump Eisner Award-nominated cartoonist Cathy Malkasian conjures a fully-realized fantasy world cast with an array of colorful characters including tech whiz cats, ornery gopher librarians, and gangs of squirrels in matching sweater vests. Equal parts high-flying adventure and deeply felt allegory, this middle grade graphic novel is all heart. Full-color illustrations throughout.
204 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2021
23 people want to read
About the author
Cathy Malkasian
18 books31 followersCathy Malkasian's alternative comics career began at age four, with the covert distribution of sketches to an unreceptive neighbor (“Keep your brat’s pamphlets off my porch!”). Hot on the heels of this and various kindergarten triumphs, she became overbearingly enthused, teaching herself to sketch and paint, pursuing music lessons, play auditions and somehow ending up with a degree in musicology. Her blend of goofiness, sarcasm, and rumination has carried her through the years.
In the early 1990s Malkasian began her career in animation, starting in design and storyboarding, then directing series episodes and pilots, and eventually co-directing the Wild Thornberrys Movie in 2002. Soon after she turned her efforts to novel and graphic novel storytelling, and returned to animation to direct many episodes of Curious George TV.
In the early 1990s Malkasian began her career in animation, starting in design and storyboarding, then directing series episodes and pilots, and eventually co-directing the Wild Thornberrys Movie in 2002. Soon after she turned her efforts to novel and graphic novel storytelling, and returned to animation to direct many episodes of Curious George TV.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 17, 2023
4.5 stars. An unusual little graphic novel that tugged at my heart in the best ways.
March 1, 2021
This is one of those odd, delightful little books that is weird and refreshing and probably not at all for the target audience, but great for folks who like the strange and surreal. It exists far outside mainstream comics and far outside what kids typically read in comics (I can say with confidence that a comic like this would get little to no circulation at my library). NoBody Likes You, Greta Grump seems to me to be one of those books that sits alone but shines in its aloneness, searching for a kindred soul. And when it does find that person who recognizes, understands, and befriends it, the world gains a little more light.
The comic follows Greta, who eats marshmallow lasagna (or throws it, rather) and gets a new pet tortoise named NoBody. She is an absolute terror, abrasive, willful and cruel to the point that she has no friends at school and has thoroughly exhausted her parents. She's also adopted, and concerned because she does not look like her parents. NoBody, however, is totally unfazed by her obstreperous behavior. The first night in her house, NoBody steps out of his shell and goes to sleep. In the morning, he invites Greta inside his shell, which has become a transport to a weird, wonderful world where animals talk, sneezes serve as passwords, and cats make flying shoes.
Back in their own world, NoBody and Greta discover that a place called Friendlytown has become decidedly unfriendly, and decide to investigate. She teams up with Gabby, a kid from school who is also adopted and is somewhat fascinated with Greta despite her bullying. Like Greta, he is considered odd by his classmates. Alongside NoBody, Greta and Gabby go on an expedition to track down the source of Friendlytown's sudden shift. It's a bizarre, enthralling expedition too, introducing characters and places so brilliantly imaginative that your brain sort of shivers in delight. This is especially what Cathy Malkasian excels at: stellar, whimsical worldbuilding that is like nothing else I have ever seen in comics. Her characters' expressions are truly works of art, it's a joy just to flip through the pages and study faces. Greta's final expression in the book feels like reaching the top of the ferris wheel with your best friend beside you, looking out over an ocean of lights. It's the feeling of a resilient warmth and of soaring, even though you are perfectly still in your seat.
The comic is also kind of flawed, and not just because I don't think it's for the intended middle grade audience. The mystery behind Friendlytown's behavior change (I won't spoil anything here) really simplifies human behavior without examining the social complexities and institutional systems in place that may contribute to such behavior. Yet, Malkasian also manages to impart a good lesson on the importance of looking after one another, each in our own way.
I think if I was reading it as a kid, I would have been a bit annoyed with NoBody's dialogue. He is the archetypal wise and clever character who guides the protagonist on their journey. NoBody is overflowing with insights and aphorisms, and that would have really ruffled my feathers as a kid. He's one of the characters that a kid can tell is directed more to their parent than themself, and having encountered this many times as a young reader, I would always spit angry thoughts at the author: "I'm a kid, so talk to me, not my parent." So while this certainly would have tarnished its glow for me, I think I still would have liked this comic as a kid. There's just something so strange and spunky about it that would have appealed to the weird kid that I was. I was always an oddball in school and in the world in general, so an oddball sort of story like this would have really clicked with me.
It's also always cool to see poc and queer (very minor, there's a kid from Greta's school who has two moms and they show up on a couple of pages) representation in a "middle grade" comic. There are definitely middle grade comics that have much better representation out there, but I'm glad to see this.
So this weird librarian lady sure liked it, but it pales in comparison to another one of her adult comics, Eartha, which I consider one of the greatest graphic novels of all time (but again would only recommend to those folks who like strange, unusual and allegorical storytelling featuring nontraditional, misfit characters).
Malkasian's prodigous imagination and the exquisite humaneness in her storytelling are an affirmation of what comics can be. Just like in Eartha, NoBody Likes You, Greta Grump showcases resonant, decisive storytelling that knows exactly where it's going and goes there in a radiant blaze.
The comic follows Greta, who eats marshmallow lasagna (or throws it, rather) and gets a new pet tortoise named NoBody. She is an absolute terror, abrasive, willful and cruel to the point that she has no friends at school and has thoroughly exhausted her parents. She's also adopted, and concerned because she does not look like her parents. NoBody, however, is totally unfazed by her obstreperous behavior. The first night in her house, NoBody steps out of his shell and goes to sleep. In the morning, he invites Greta inside his shell, which has become a transport to a weird, wonderful world where animals talk, sneezes serve as passwords, and cats make flying shoes.
Back in their own world, NoBody and Greta discover that a place called Friendlytown has become decidedly unfriendly, and decide to investigate. She teams up with Gabby, a kid from school who is also adopted and is somewhat fascinated with Greta despite her bullying. Like Greta, he is considered odd by his classmates. Alongside NoBody, Greta and Gabby go on an expedition to track down the source of Friendlytown's sudden shift. It's a bizarre, enthralling expedition too, introducing characters and places so brilliantly imaginative that your brain sort of shivers in delight. This is especially what Cathy Malkasian excels at: stellar, whimsical worldbuilding that is like nothing else I have ever seen in comics. Her characters' expressions are truly works of art, it's a joy just to flip through the pages and study faces. Greta's final expression in the book feels like reaching the top of the ferris wheel with your best friend beside you, looking out over an ocean of lights. It's the feeling of a resilient warmth and of soaring, even though you are perfectly still in your seat.
The comic is also kind of flawed, and not just because I don't think it's for the intended middle grade audience. The mystery behind Friendlytown's behavior change (I won't spoil anything here) really simplifies human behavior without examining the social complexities and institutional systems in place that may contribute to such behavior. Yet, Malkasian also manages to impart a good lesson on the importance of looking after one another, each in our own way.
I think if I was reading it as a kid, I would have been a bit annoyed with NoBody's dialogue. He is the archetypal wise and clever character who guides the protagonist on their journey. NoBody is overflowing with insights and aphorisms, and that would have really ruffled my feathers as a kid. He's one of the characters that a kid can tell is directed more to their parent than themself, and having encountered this many times as a young reader, I would always spit angry thoughts at the author: "I'm a kid, so talk to me, not my parent." So while this certainly would have tarnished its glow for me, I think I still would have liked this comic as a kid. There's just something so strange and spunky about it that would have appealed to the weird kid that I was. I was always an oddball in school and in the world in general, so an oddball sort of story like this would have really clicked with me.
It's also always cool to see poc and queer (very minor, there's a kid from Greta's school who has two moms and they show up on a couple of pages) representation in a "middle grade" comic. There are definitely middle grade comics that have much better representation out there, but I'm glad to see this.
So this weird librarian lady sure liked it, but it pales in comparison to another one of her adult comics, Eartha, which I consider one of the greatest graphic novels of all time (but again would only recommend to those folks who like strange, unusual and allegorical storytelling featuring nontraditional, misfit characters).
Malkasian's prodigous imagination and the exquisite humaneness in her storytelling are an affirmation of what comics can be. Just like in Eartha, NoBody Likes You, Greta Grump showcases resonant, decisive storytelling that knows exactly where it's going and goes there in a radiant blaze.
September 23, 2021
3.5 stars
Greta has been adopted and she is a pain in the neck! She throws food and tantrums. Her adoptive parents try out a number of pets to help ease the transition but none of them work until they get the turtle Nobody. Greta and Nobody set out on an adventure where they discover that the people of Friendlytown have suddenly turned mean. They add a boy named Gabby to their company and they set out to solve the mystery and set things right once again.
Definitely a "message" story but it is sweet and funny and engaging regardless. Graphics are in a watercolor style, well-suited to story.
Greta has been adopted and she is a pain in the neck! She throws food and tantrums. Her adoptive parents try out a number of pets to help ease the transition but none of them work until they get the turtle Nobody. Greta and Nobody set out on an adventure where they discover that the people of Friendlytown have suddenly turned mean. They add a boy named Gabby to their company and they set out to solve the mystery and set things right once again.
Definitely a "message" story but it is sweet and funny and engaging regardless. Graphics are in a watercolor style, well-suited to story.
March 1, 2022
This is billed as a middle grades book, but I don't think it is. I think the book might be for me and possibly for you. It's lovely and odd and I hope you'll read it.
March 17, 2021
*DISCLAIMER* I received a free copy of this book for review purposes. I only accept books I think I’d like because life is too short to waste on bad books. That said if I don’t like a book, I’ll say so, free or not. With that out of the way, onto the review:
Greta Grump is, well, grumpy. She doesn’t seem to fit in anywhere. Her parents are very tired and desperate go get through to their little girl. They’ve tried every pet in the pet store except for NoBody, a turtle. As soon as NoBody moves in, it’s clear he won’t take Greta’s attitude at all. And that seems to be just what Greta needs. But as soon as NoBody gets Greta out exploring the world, a mystery unravels. Everyone in Friendlytown is, frankly, very unfriendly. Why? What could turn an entire town known for its friendliness into the meaniest grumpiest folks around?
This one is very whimsical. Imagine if Mary Poppins were a turtle who dealt with the angriest kids. That is this book.
It tackles many issues. Some more closely than others. Greta is adopted and is clearly upset by the fact that she doesn’t see herself in her parents the way her friends see themselves in theirs. Tired parents are represented. Bullying and apologizing for being a bully is here. Helping your neighbors is here. It’s a book that can feel dark, but it’s not scary. It’s actually pretty hopeful.
One of my faves this year. I’m am adult and not the target audience, but will be saving this one for our future child for sure.
Greta Grump is, well, grumpy. She doesn’t seem to fit in anywhere. Her parents are very tired and desperate go get through to their little girl. They’ve tried every pet in the pet store except for NoBody, a turtle. As soon as NoBody moves in, it’s clear he won’t take Greta’s attitude at all. And that seems to be just what Greta needs. But as soon as NoBody gets Greta out exploring the world, a mystery unravels. Everyone in Friendlytown is, frankly, very unfriendly. Why? What could turn an entire town known for its friendliness into the meaniest grumpiest folks around?
This one is very whimsical. Imagine if Mary Poppins were a turtle who dealt with the angriest kids. That is this book.
It tackles many issues. Some more closely than others. Greta is adopted and is clearly upset by the fact that she doesn’t see herself in her parents the way her friends see themselves in theirs. Tired parents are represented. Bullying and apologizing for being a bully is here. Helping your neighbors is here. It’s a book that can feel dark, but it’s not scary. It’s actually pretty hopeful.
One of my faves this year. I’m am adult and not the target audience, but will be saving this one for our future child for sure.
March 23, 2022
This book did NOT go where I assumed it would go. Spoilers and CW's -- NoBody is the name of a turtle and by the end of the book he actually DOES like Greta. Greta is grumpy because she's an adoptee who is struggling with not looking like her adoptive family and feeling rejected by her birthmother. As an adoptive parent I'm always wary of books that deal with this sensitive topic, but this one turns out pretty well in the end. Friendly Town has gotten a case of the grumps and the only way to cure them is to pay each person a sincere compliment. The compliments they come up with are endearing and when the grumps leave (like a blue string of snot being birthed from each nose) everyone feels much better. All-in-all, a slightly odd story, but I liked it better than I thought I would by a long shot.
Want to read
July 20, 2020Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
January 27, 2021
This book brought me to TEARS MULTIPLE times. Do you really need to know more? Beautiful story.
FULL REVIEW TO COME OUT SOON ON MONKEYS FIGHTING ROBOTS!
FULL REVIEW TO COME OUT SOON ON MONKEYS FIGHTING ROBOTS!
July 2, 2023
Miss 8 really enjoyed reading this (and delighted in explaining the title to me). She sincerely hopes the author writes more graphic novels.
September 29, 2023
Oh man do I love Greta Grump. This book gave me all the feels, artwork and characters are first rate.
December 23, 2024
This is a great simple graphic novel I read and analyzed in a graphic novel workshop class. I loved the characters and analyzing it was a blast!
February 25, 2021
The publisher’s summary of Malkasian’s graphic novel intrigued me, but reading it confused me. The art seemed aimed at older fans of darker graphic novels, but the story’s lessons teaching kindness and the fact that family members only have to love one another, not look like one another are clearly middle grade focused. As with most graphic novels, I found myself envious of the talent it takes to create a story told primarily with art, but while I am always looking to expand the graphic novels section of my library, this one probably will appeal to a small group of my students and my budget forces me to purchase books with wider appeal. No profanity, violence or sexual content to cause any concern. Thanks for the print ARC, Amazon Vine.
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May 10, 2021BOTH
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews