Title: Sweaterweather & other short stories
Author: Sara Varon
Publication Date: February 2nd 2016 from First Second Books
Synopsis: "Sweaterweather is an endearing collection of seventeen short comics, illustrated essays, and journal entries where awkwardly sweet anthropomorphic animals walk the streets of Brooklyn and the mountains of Jurassic times and where friendship (or ice cream) just might save the day.
This new, expanded edition of Sara Varon's very first book adds brand new stories and notes sharing her thoughts on finding ideas, building on inspiration, and watering the seeds from which longer stories (and sometimes a pair of wings) can grow. It's a peek into a master story-teller's creative process...and into her quirky and delightful private world."
My thoughts: The stories in this collection are so sweet, and sometimes a little sad, that you find yourself drawn in quite quickly, and your heart is warmed. I was even warmed by the cover art - how sweet are these knitting creatures! And that is what Varon's work has come to represent for me - a decent dose of sweet creatures doing even sweeter things.
I have to say that this isn't the art style I am normally all that drawn to, and given that at the time of reading this I was going through a pretty serious Lucy Knisley kick, I may have judged this a bit harshly in comparison. But I cannot deny that Varon manages to convey beautiful little slices of life with very little dialogue, all the while making raccoons or tortoises seem like the dearest friends you could have ever hoped for.
The little stories in here are relatable and I really loved the little introductions she did for each one to help you get some context. I think I would have liked to see some longer work, or perhaps more of the stories where dialogue and image worked together in a more cohesive manner, but I finished this book feeling happy and hopeful, overall.
I would very much like to keep reading her work.
(I received a review copy of this book from First Second Books in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!)
You would like this book if: you like sweet little animals with sweet little stories!
Tea to drink while reading this book: I favoured a Chai Latte during the reading of this one!
Rating: 7/10
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