March 2023 BotM: The Moral of the Story Is...

[Erin]

This month we're taking a look at comics that teach a moral lesson! You can pick any book you'd like that fits the theme, however you interpret it.

Tell us about your pick and share recommendations in the thread below!

[Erin]

A lot of the resources I found for ideas for this one focused on more middle grade comics, but I'm sure there are tons of great comics out there for this prompt - I'd love to know what you picked?

Some links to help you get brainstorming:
https://www.sttammanylibrary.org/blog...

https://www.parent.com/blogs/conversa...

https://www.comicsbookcase.com/readin...

[Evilblacksheep]

Thanks for the links. This theme is the only one I really don't know what to read for so far (but I'm sure I'll find something as the month go along).

Edit after checking your links : There is actually plenty in there that is in my to-read pile ! Thanks again Erin

[Max]

I think a lot of short stories fit into this theme. I like what I've read by Jason and Tatsuki Fujimoto.
Specifically, I recommend Goodbye, Eri and Hey, Wait...

I've heard Black Bolt Hard Time comments on the American Prison System.

I'm reading The Seeds by Ann Nocenti & David Aja which is about the environment.

[Maranda]

Max wrote: "I think a lot of short stories fit into this theme. I like what I've read by Jason and Tatsuki Fujimoto.
Specifically, I recommend Goodbye, Eri an..."

Those sound like some great reads. Going to add Goodbye, Eri and Hey, Wait... to my reading lists.

[Nancy]

I read My Boyfriend is a Bear, found on one of the lists provided. While it was whimsical and taught the valid lesson to live your best life and not to worry about other people’s opinions, I was too practical to accept this cross-species romance. However, in the end, I did think Nora and the Bear's reunion was sweet.

I've read Bloom and Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me (found on the same list) and those two books are solid for this theme too.

If you're interested in reading my longer thoughts about the bear romance: https://graphicnovelty2.com/2023/03/2...

[Erin]

I ended up reading Fox Bunny Funny, a book I picked up for a different reading challenge - it's a completely silent comic, but has a very clear oppressed/opressor dynamic so you can really read it to be about any issue you'd like.

I find that a silent comic has to be REALLY strong for me to be into it, but this was a quick read and going through it multiple times I could convince myself it was /truly/ about any number of issues in our society today...not sure if that's a strength or a weakness, to be honest!

[Paul]

I got stuck for a while on my internal pedantry debate of “inspirational” vs “teach a moral lesson.” So even though I read “Daytripper” which I find highly inspirational, I tried “Stepping Stones” for a more concrete moral lesson.

It didn’t deliver a concrete moral sentence to put on a poster, but it did a good job of conveying that while things (and people) may seem miserable at first, they do get better and you can end up enriched as a result—but things don’t promise to be perfect. Very enjoyable book.

[kaitlphere]

This theme was a great reason to finally read Drama by Raina Telgemeier. What I really enjoyed was the depiction of stage crew, but there were a few lessons in the story as well. I definitely remember having similar concerns as the narrator regarding friendships and crushes in school. I'm glad there are more books like this now that show kids talking through their feelings.

[Evilblacksheep]

I'm finishing When Stars Are Scattered and this is really way more intense than what I thought it would be. (I even have to admit I've been crying several times while reading and it's not a thing that happens often). It was in my to-read pile for a long while but the theme was the reason I got to it this month as it was in one of the lists Erin linked.

I know the month is over but I still recommend the read, theme or not. Amazing book.