Friends Do Not Eat Friends: Ready-to-Read Graphics Level 1

Thunder and Cluck

by Jill Esbaum, Miles Thompson (Illustrations)

Two dinosaurs with larger-than-life personalities become unlikely friends in this silly and sweet Level 1 Ready-to-Read Graphics book, the first in a new series!

Thunder is big. Cluck is small. Thunder likes to ROAR! Cluck likes to say “hello!”

Can Thunder and Cluck be friends?

Ready-to-Read Graphics books give readers the perfect introduction to the graphic novel format with easy-to-follow panels, speech bubbles with accessible vocabulary, and sequential storytelling that is spot-on for beginning readers. There’s even a how-to guide for reading graphic novels at the beginning of each book.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Friendship, Humor, Childrens, Picture Books, Dinosaurs, Animals

64 pages, Paperback

Published June 29, 2021

About the author

Jill Esbaum is a full-time writer and author of I am Cow, Hear Me Moo!, I Hatched!, Stanza, and Tom’s Tweet, among many others. She lives on a farm with her husband and children in Dixon, IA.

Reviews

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute and humorous beginning readers graphic novel. Thunder is big and loud; Cluck is small and polite. Thunder is a loner; Click likes to be social. Find out how two unlikely friends become friends.

[Richie Partington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Richie’s Picks: THUNDER AND CLUCK: FRIENDS DO NOT EAT FRIENDS by Jill Esbaum and Miles Thompson, Simon Spotlight/Ready to Read Graphics, Level 1, June 2021, 64p., ISBN: 978-1-5344-8652-2

Ralph Kramden and Ed Norton. Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble. The Skipper and Gilligan. Those of us of an older generation grew up with pairs of characters where one was always big, loud, and huffing and puffing. The other was more mellow, accentuating and drawing attention to the qualities of the loud one.

THUNDER AND CLUCK features a similarly-hilarious new duo. Thunder is a huge T-rex and Click is a pterodactyl. As soon as Cluck meets Thunder, Cluck begins pushing for the couple to become good friends. At the same time, Thunder expects Cluck to react appropriately to his terrifying roar and the possibility of Cluck getting eaten:

“‘HELLO?! Did you hear me roar?
That means I am hungry!
You should run! Run away!’
‘No, thanks.
I am resting, see? You have such nice, soft grass around here. Aah…’
‘THAT IS NOT HOW THIS GOES!’
‘How does it go?’
‘I roar.
You run.
I chase…
and CHOMP you!’
‘Hmm…
What if…
I do not run?
Can you still chomp me?’
‘Uh…
Wait, let me think.’
‘Pfft. You do not fool me.
I think you are secretly...nice.”

So Thunder huffs and puffs, while Cluck is selling him on becoming buddies. Illustrator Miles Thompson, a veteran animator, creates a pair of loveable characters who are a total crack-up.

THUNDER AND CLUCK is the Level 1 entry of the three Simon & Schuster titles inaugurating their new Ready to Read Graphics imprint. The story is preceded by the two characters explaining to their audience “How to read this book.” They provide instruction on the order in which the panels are read in a graphic novel, and discuss speech bubbles versus cloud (thought) bubbles.

I really hope this title takes off and leads to a bunch more adventures between this pair of delightful goofballs.

Richie Partington, MLIS
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[Brooke - TheBrookeList · Rating 4 out of 5]

This intro to a Spunky begins with the basic concept: Friends do no eat friends. Thunder and Cluck are introduced in a funny graphic layout, with Cluck unafraid of being eaten by his new friend, who seems a little unsure about the whole thing. Funny, clever, and engaging. As with the second book, the author does a great job of showing a newer reader how to read comic panels, speech bubbles, etc. The illustrations are vibrant and bold, the dinosaurs change colors and are very animated, depending on their emotions. A few funny parts pull together their adventure as they become friends. My toddler was very drawn to the characters and their antics.

On the whole, pretty simple, but hey, it's a level 1 reader! We enjoyed this one more than the second one.

Checked out at library and reviewed in consideration for Cybils Award Easy Reader shortlist for 2021.

[Judy Sobanski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jill Esbaum's Thunder, a fierce but ultimately kind-hearted dinosaur and Cluck, a small prehistoric bird, become an unlikely duo in the first of several graphic readers. Even though Thunder feels compelled to feast on the small bird, Cluck wins him over and they become fast friends ready to take on adventures in subsequent books. Kids on their learn-to-read journeys will love the Miles Thompson's bold graphics and the humorous banter between the two characters as their friendship forms. Beginning and reluctant readers will no doubt want to read the whole series to see what hijinks Thunder and Cluck will be involved in next!

[Cat Randle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read a lot of readers with my three sons. I have also volunteered an hour a week.and read with children at our local primary school. This the best one I've seen and it's laugh out loud funny. This book is zany with simple words and the story is a very clever script. It would make a great primer for anyone who wants to write comedy. Thunder is a generic Rex and Cluck is a bird like reptile and the story is witty as Cluck uses all its skill to show that they would be great friends. Thunder does not and the plot has an echo of the Dr Suess classic Green eggs and ham. It's funny, bright a must your your dinosaur loving child.

[Carolina Colleene · Rating 2 out of 5]

Content: G
Thunder is a big and scary dinosaur -- so why doesn’t little Cluck run away from him? Cluck says he wants to be friends, but Thunder is too scary to have a friend.
Esbaum starts out by teaching readers how to navigate a graphic novel. After those couple pages, we jump into the simple story. Thunder and Cluck’s argument is funny and has engaging illustrations that are sure to show new graphic novel readers that reading books with pictures isn’t just for little kids.
Reviewed for https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/

[Erika Romero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute friendship origin story! The dynamic between Thunder and Cluck is hilarious. The illustrations depict the emotions of both characters, but especially Thunder, so well. Cluck is my favorite of the duo, but I look forward to seeing if that feeling continues in the rest of the series. A great early reader!

[Meghan Bohn · Rating 2 out of 5]

An introduction to graphic novels, with instructions on the order in which to read panels, how to distinguish a dialog balloon from a thought balloon, etc.
While I liked some of the art, for the most part this didn't do much for me, even taking into account I'm not the target audience. I do appreciate the idea, though.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two dinosaurs become friends after the bigger one (Thunder) realizes he doesn't want to eat the smaller one (Cluck). Not all dinosaurs are mean! Definitely for dinosaur fans! I can't think of another reader/early graphic novel about dinosaurs besides Danny and the Dinosaur.

[Andrea Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so much fun to read with my kindergartner! She helped read but spent most of the time laughing at the wonderful illustrations full of fantastic expressions. I need more thunder and cluck!!!

[Pam Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun early reader graphic novel that includes a "how to read this book" at the beginning to help young readers understand a graphic novel format. Beautiful art and fun characters!

[Lisa D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Cute book for beginning graphic Novel readers

[Elisabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although some words are definitely too hard (experiment, interesting) Cluck’s persistence is winning against Thunder’s reluctance to be won over.

[Syntha Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was hilarious

[wildct2003 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clever friendship story in graphic format complete with introduction to reading a graphic novel.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the text as well as the illustrations!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A preposterous situation aptly handled by the little guy. A great look at how danger might be defused.

[Elliott Plack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for a first grader

Read this with my little guy. He learned how to read the panels with this format. The kindle version was pretty easy to follow in guided view.

[Nichole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice, quick primer at the beginning of the book on how to read graphic novels.

[Shanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was cute.

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[Amy Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

YOUNG reader graphics!
WOOO!!

[Thompson McLeod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thunder is a giant dinosaur who likes to roar and scare everyone. Cluck is a witty, kind bird. Cluck wants to show Thunder that even though he thinks he's big and scary, he's secretly not.

Young readers will giggle at Cluck's arguments for Thunder to be friends with him. Thunder doesn't stand a chance with Cluck's quick energy and intelligent dialog.

Two very different animals become friends. Thunder realizes he's lonely and having Cluck around could be fun and interesting.

Beginning panels tell young readers how to read a graphic novel, what a speech bubble is and the definition of panels. Colorful illustrations by Miles Thompson capture the personalities of the two character: the joy of Cluck and the pessimism of Thunder. Brilliantly done!

Thunder and Cluck is a Junior Library Guild Selection and is up for more awards this year. Keep your eyes on this book. A must have for every young reader and library!

Highly, highly recommended ages 3-5. A great introduction to graphic novels! If you're a parent or have young kids to buy for, you need to buy this book ASAP.

[Stephanie Tournas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gigantic “Roarrr” starts off this funny friendship story between dinosaurs. Thunder, huge and purple, is accustomed to roaring, chasing, and chomping. Cluck, who is small and green, clearly is not intimidated, and thinks Thunder is “secretly nice.” Whatever argument Thunder has for why they shouldn’t be friends, Cluck is able to counter with aplomb. By the end, Cluck has convinced Thunder to give friendship a try.

This is an entertaining early graphic reader, with only one or two panels per page, very short sentences and a funny repartee between the two characters. The comic art exaggerates the characters’ size to great effect, and has an almost retro feel. There is a short guide to reading graphic novels at the beginning. Hopefully this is the start to a great friendship, with more adventures to follow.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

A funny story about what happens when a ferocious dinosaur's next meal instead wants to become...his friend. The illustrations and expressions are hilarious, and there's lots to infer visually from the panels as well.

Includes "How to REad this comic" in the front.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two unlikely dinosaurs meet under unique circumstances, one is hungry, and the other is to be eaten. Thunder, the large predator, and Cluck, the small prey somehow find a way to put their differences aside and become friends. This silly laugh out loud tale is sure to bring the laughs and smiles to faces when it's revealed that Friends Do Not Eat Friends.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thunder and Cluck is an early graphic book that young readers (and parents!) will love. When they meet, Thunder is all roar and Cluck isn't buying it. Will the unlikely pair become friends?

As an elementary teacher and tutor, I love this book because I think young readers will feel they CAN read this one - and they will want to read it over and over again!

[Ashley S · Rating 5 out of 5]

THUNDER & CLUCK is an early graphic novel series about two unlikely dinosaurs that start a friendship with hilarious results. The short text and bright illustrations make this book the perfect introduction to graphic novels for the littlest readers.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, this is a fun read for kids who are learning about humor in stories. I love that it starts with an introduction on how to read the panels and difference between thought and speech bubbles. Cute story development and a nice message on friendship. Friends don't eat friends after all!