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Yorick and Bones #2
Yorick and Bones: Friends by Any Other Name: The Second Graphic Novel About a Skeleton and His Dog Navigating Friendship for Kids
Hey-ho, hey-ho! Father-daughter duo Jeremy and Hermione Tankard are thrilled to deliver the second book in a heartfelt, “humerus” full-color graphic novel series perfect for fans of Bird & Squirrel!
Yorick and his trusty canine companion Bones hath returned, and they are cordially invited to a costume party!
But when Yorick arrives and meets a new friend, he isn’t sure whether she likes the real him or just who he is in disguise.
Do clothes really make the skeleton Can Yorick ever be the same fun-loving jester he once was, if it means pretending to be something he’s not
Yorick will need help from some friendly faces to get to the bottom of these big questions. But will the answers make for a comedy or a tragedy
160 pages, Hardcover
First published May 11, 2021
1 person is currently reading
1500 people want to read
About the author
Jeremy Tankard
26 books78 followersI get ideas by watching and listening all the time. I also keep a sketchbook and am constantly doodling and creating characters," Jeremy Tankard says. Growing up in Cape Town, South Africa, Columbia, South Carolina, Hazard, Kentucky, and finally Knoxville, Tennessee Jeremy Tankard, the son of a story telling father and a mother who oversaw libraries, was always surrounded by stories and inspiration for them.
"When I was young my dad used to tell my brother and me stories in order to keep us from complaining during long walks in the mountains. Some of the stories were true, others were not; and as for the rest of them, we still don't know whether to believe them or not." Jeremy Tankard started writing and illustrating when he was still a child, despite his limited spelling capabilities. The early ones featured a pig family who had a series of misadventures. The only words in the books were ‘Hallo’, ‘HALP!’, and ‘Bye bye’.
After studying drawing and printmaking at the Alberta College of Art and Design, Jeremy Tankard embarked on a career as an illustrator, his work appearing in magazines and ad campaigns including Time, The New York Times, Guitar Player, and The Boston Globe. Armed with his skills as an illustrator and his new and improved vocabulary, Jeremy Tankard returned to his real love: telling stories.
Jeremy Tankard is the author of GRUMPY BIRD for which he was nominated for the for outstanding children’s book illustration. His most recent book, ME HUNGRY! is about a Stone Age boy in search of a snack. Jeremy Tankard lives in Toronto with his wife, Heather, and young daughter, Hermione, where he dabbles in music, loves Indian cooking and skateboards.
"When I was young my dad used to tell my brother and me stories in order to keep us from complaining during long walks in the mountains. Some of the stories were true, others were not; and as for the rest of them, we still don't know whether to believe them or not." Jeremy Tankard started writing and illustrating when he was still a child, despite his limited spelling capabilities. The early ones featured a pig family who had a series of misadventures. The only words in the books were ‘Hallo’, ‘HALP!’, and ‘Bye bye’.
After studying drawing and printmaking at the Alberta College of Art and Design, Jeremy Tankard embarked on a career as an illustrator, his work appearing in magazines and ad campaigns including Time, The New York Times, Guitar Player, and The Boston Globe. Armed with his skills as an illustrator and his new and improved vocabulary, Jeremy Tankard returned to his real love: telling stories.
Jeremy Tankard is the author of GRUMPY BIRD for which he was nominated for the for outstanding children’s book illustration. His most recent book, ME HUNGRY! is about a Stone Age boy in search of a snack. Jeremy Tankard lives in Toronto with his wife, Heather, and young daughter, Hermione, where he dabbles in music, loves Indian cooking and skateboards.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
December 7, 2023
I read these graphic novels back to back and truly loved the first one. This one fell short for me though. It was cute and I love that the authors are father/daughter. I did finish it but I didn’t find it nearly as satisfying as the first book.
April 11, 2024
Very fun! I’d like another please!! Buddy read with Jenna
July 13, 2024
Very cute graphic novel, I like how it combined so many Shakespearean characters and themes into a story for younger readers!
June 18, 2021
Yorick and his canine companion are back, and his quest for friends continues. He has more success this time, thanks to a costume party ... and a visit to a cemetery that more skeletons call home.
More antiquated speech patterns to liven up Yorick's personality. It's cute, but I have a quibble. Given that the simplicity of the story would appeal more to lower middle grade readers, the references to Shakespeare's plays and the quirks of their cast members are inside jokes that will go straight over most kids' heads. But if you were doing a unit on Shakespeare, these graphic novels could make cute companions.
More antiquated speech patterns to liven up Yorick's personality. It's cute, but I have a quibble. Given that the simplicity of the story would appeal more to lower middle grade readers, the references to Shakespeare's plays and the quirks of their cast members are inside jokes that will go straight over most kids' heads. But if you were doing a unit on Shakespeare, these graphic novels could make cute companions.
June 8, 2021
I have no idea who this graphic novel was really intended for. This is the second book about these characters, the skeleton of a child version of Yorick from Hamlet [yes, that's weird, because in Hamlet he was a grown man when Hamlet was a child, and therefore probably not reverted to a child before his death] and a dog with the delightful name of Bones.
In this sequel, my problem was that most of the humor is only funny if you know a lot of Shakespeare, ranging from a dialogue of re-used quotations to obscure references to scenes from Hamlet or The Tempest, for which you really need to know the plays.
Ignoring that, there's a cute story buried in this book about being true to yourself, even if that means letting people know that, well,...you're dead and a skeleton. Oddly, that whole "dead and a skeleton" thing doesn't bother Veda, a living human girl who befriends Yorick, but it's not clear that anyone else will, other than other dead skeleton beings from Shakespeare who seem to inhabit a single graveyard near Yorick's house.
There's a second subplot, which seems to be "don't accept advice from the formerly living," but you'll have to read the book to understand that part.
In this sequel, my problem was that most of the humor is only funny if you know a lot of Shakespeare, ranging from a dialogue of re-used quotations to obscure references to scenes from Hamlet or The Tempest, for which you really need to know the plays.
Ignoring that, there's a cute story buried in this book about being true to yourself, even if that means letting people know that, well,...you're dead and a skeleton. Oddly, that whole "dead and a skeleton" thing doesn't bother Veda, a living human girl who befriends Yorick, but it's not clear that anyone else will, other than other dead skeleton beings from Shakespeare who seem to inhabit a single graveyard near Yorick's house.
There's a second subplot, which seems to be "don't accept advice from the formerly living," but you'll have to read the book to understand that part.
October 7, 2021
Like the first book, a cute art style, a fun sense of humor, and geekiness out the wazoo. The pacing has settle a little bit here, compared to the first one, so worth rounding up for me.
This series truly warms the cockles of my geeky little heart. Puns, classic jokes and Shakespearean references, almost slapstick silliness at times... pricesless. Like I said, the pacing was a little more even here (maybe the appearance of more characters helped?) so I liked it even more than the first.
It's pretty niche though (even if I AM solidly in said niche), so who would I recommend this to? My older juvenile GN readers, particularly - the ones with bigger vocabularies and who can use context clues well to handle the Shakespearean language. Bonus if they've been introduced to some of Shakespeare's plays and can recognize some of the characters. Younger ones would be able to handle the story still, since there are plenty of context clues and manageable vocab words to be able to follow Yorick's adventures. It's about making friends and finding one's interests, after all - pretty universal.
But the older ones will get more of the jokes and overall appreciate it more. While not necessarily a classic, it's still a really good addition to a mid-grade graphic novel section (and I personally would love to see more!)
This series truly warms the cockles of my geeky little heart. Puns, classic jokes and Shakespearean references, almost slapstick silliness at times... pricesless. Like I said, the pacing was a little more even here (maybe the appearance of more characters helped?) so I liked it even more than the first.
It's pretty niche though (even if I AM solidly in said niche), so who would I recommend this to? My older juvenile GN readers, particularly - the ones with bigger vocabularies and who can use context clues well to handle the Shakespearean language. Bonus if they've been introduced to some of Shakespeare's plays and can recognize some of the characters. Younger ones would be able to handle the story still, since there are plenty of context clues and manageable vocab words to be able to follow Yorick's adventures. It's about making friends and finding one's interests, after all - pretty universal.
But the older ones will get more of the jokes and overall appreciate it more. While not necessarily a classic, it's still a really good addition to a mid-grade graphic novel section (and I personally would love to see more!)
April 5, 2024
Billed as "Another lost graphic novel by William Shakespeare," this book has Yorick portrayed as a walking, talking skeleton dressed only in pants and shoes being accompanied by his side kick dog, Bones. With scenes reminiscent of Macbeth, York encounters four witches stirring their cauldron, with all language in the manner of the Bard himself.
Yorick then debates how he can resume living a life while dead among the living, and accepts an invitation while disguised, encountering and entertaining Veda as he once entertained in the king's court.
He then travels to find other skeletons to live among. Each shows him how they spend their dead hours. He encounters Veda once again, this time not in disguise.
The tale continues on in Shakespearian fashion and with nice original artwork. A fun introduction to Shakespeare for those who love graphic novels.
Yorick then debates how he can resume living a life while dead among the living, and accepts an invitation while disguised, encountering and entertaining Veda as he once entertained in the king's court.
He then travels to find other skeletons to live among. Each shows him how they spend their dead hours. He encounters Veda once again, this time not in disguise.
The tale continues on in Shakespearian fashion and with nice original artwork. A fun introduction to Shakespeare for those who love graphic novels.
August 10, 2021
Graphic Novel
Yorick and his dog/friend Bones are back for another adventure. Yorick is struggling to figure out what his life will be in his new form. He still loves to be the jester but also appreciates the quiet with Bones. He also longs to meet others like him. Bones leads him to a graveyard where he meets other Shakespeare characters who share their passions. He tries them all and nothing fits. Bones then leads Yorick to a new friend who is a living girl. Yorick figures out that he can be both quiet with Bones and a jester with others.
Yorick and his dog/friend Bones are back for another adventure. Yorick is struggling to figure out what his life will be in his new form. He still loves to be the jester but also appreciates the quiet with Bones. He also longs to meet others like him. Bones leads him to a graveyard where he meets other Shakespeare characters who share their passions. He tries them all and nothing fits. Bones then leads Yorick to a new friend who is a living girl. Yorick figures out that he can be both quiet with Bones and a jester with others.
November 12, 2021
yorick and bones are back and ready to find new friends and also learn more about himself. i enjoyed the first book a lot more, but this is still such a cute little series and i am still in love with art style.
i also love how yorick only wears orange pants and i love bones and how he is always looking out for his skeleton friend and teaching him that he is enough and that dogs really are mans best friend.
i also love how yorick only wears orange pants and i love bones and how he is always looking out for his skeleton friend and teaching him that he is enough and that dogs really are mans best friend.
August 16, 2021
I love the art in this (simplistic as it is) and the story is super cute. It doesn't make half as much sense if you don't know Shakespeare's plays. You won't get most of the humor in this book if you aren't aware of Shakespearean characters and their characteristics. If you are though, it's a very cute book with a sweet message.
February 17, 2024
An adorable follow up to the first book, this story brought Yorrick's journey of discovering his new self to a close. I really liked the illustrations and the plot. The characters were fun, and I loved that the Shakesperean characters followed his methods of speech. I would absolutely recommend this book, and the first.
June 28, 2021
Continuation of the first book and Yorick's quest to find a friend. This time he finds several other of Shakespeare's characters. The book keeps the writing in iambic pentameter which is a great introduction to that syntax for kids.
June 8, 2022
Yorick and Bones is a simple and sweet story about friendship. It is an easy to read graphic novel that seems like it would be for 4th or 5th graders. I loved all of the little allusions to Shakespeare which made it fun for me to read.
May 25, 2021
This series is such a delight!
June 19, 2021
4 stars. It's cute. It's funny. It's Shakespeare-inspired. And it's just as crazy as Hamlet. Except Hamlet wasn't actually mad. I wonder if it would have made more sense if I had read the first?
June 27, 2021
Like I said about the previous book, all the Shakespearean speech can be a challenge (or deterrent) for younger readers, but the story’s still charming. Good message!
June 29, 2021
"Because it was really good." - Liam, 7 years old
June 30, 2021
More Shakespeare-inspired merriment with Yorick and his canine pal.
September 11, 2021
I liked it, unsure if actual kids would though. Probably wouldn’t read another.
September 17, 2021
There's a readership for this? Shortest "nope" ever, I made it to page 15 then skimmed ahead to see if the faux Shakespeare thing continues throughout. No thanks.
October 5, 2021
I love this series!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's so damn cute. I hope they continue it.
January 26, 2022
Just as entertaining as Book 1.
April 15, 2023
It was good, it was kinda hard to read because some of the words were weird to me, but otherwise it was cute!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 11, 2025
It's ok, I don't understand why people give it such high ratings.
February 7, 2025
Such a wonderful series and a beautifully illustrated book.
For the rest of my review, visit my Vlog at:
https://youtube.com/shorts/o5QY_KzDFU...
Enjoy!
For the rest of my review, visit my Vlog at:
https://youtube.com/shorts/o5QY_KzDFU...
Enjoy!
June 19, 2021
I especially liked this book because it brings in lots of Shakespearean character, including Ophelia and Polonius. There are references to Macbeth's witches as well. A great fun way to help introduce young people to Shakespeare or for Shakespeare nerds to have fun with well-loved and familiar characters.
May 24, 2021
Audiobook Review:
Overall – 5
Performance – 5
Story – 5
Another cute story!
Although I’m on the far side of 60, I really enjoyed listening to this delightful book. I requested a review copy primarily because of Joel Froomkin and Gary Furlong – two of my favorite audiobook performers – but I ended up enjoying it for the story as well as the great audio performances by the multiple narrators of the story.
Like book one, there was a nice message to young people: “You don’t need good eye sight to recognize a friend” (end of act 3). I hope there will be more stories featuring Yorick and Bones.
A complimentary copy of this audiobook was provided to me at my request but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author and/or narrator.
Overall – 5
Performance – 5
Story – 5
Another cute story!
Although I’m on the far side of 60, I really enjoyed listening to this delightful book. I requested a review copy primarily because of Joel Froomkin and Gary Furlong – two of my favorite audiobook performers – but I ended up enjoying it for the story as well as the great audio performances by the multiple narrators of the story.
Like book one, there was a nice message to young people: “You don’t need good eye sight to recognize a friend” (end of act 3). I hope there will be more stories featuring Yorick and Bones.
A complimentary copy of this audiobook was provided to me at my request but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author and/or narrator.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews