Welcome to the Tribe!: Book 1 (Tib & Tumtum) Paperback – Illustrated, August 1, 2013

Nice art, Good Story.

For today’s Family Comic Friday, I went back to France for inspiration. The series is called Tib and Tumtum. Tib is a young caveboy who has a red birthmark on his face. Teased by the other kids in the tribe, Tib often plays by himself. One day, he comes across a small dinosaur that he names Tumtum. But dinosaurs are supposed to be extinct. Is Tumtum the real deal or is the thunder lizard a figment of lonely Tib’s imagination? I really enjoyed this sweet graphic novel by French cartoonist Grimaldi. It was funny and it was fun. Though this volume reads as a complete story each page contains it’s own punchline. So it’s very easy to find stopping points without being broken down into chapters. I also liked how this adventure was framed as the untold story of the cave people who created the paintings in Lascaux. It kinda made this story seem more real. There’s currently 2 volumes in the Tib and Tumtum series. Both are for readers in grades 4-6. But I think with a helpful adult, children in grades 2-3 could enjoy this book as well. Available on Amazon and libraries nationwide, this is a great book filled with memorable characters, thrills, and a few chills, that anyone should make

The Big Rock Tribe had a bunch of bullies in it. Like as in big time. “Hey, Tib! Did you make a mess on your face while eating again?” That birthmark made Tib into a target. In fact it even looked like one because it circled around his left eye. Tib’s Papa and Mama had different ways of dealing with it. Put the bullies on ignore was Papa’s thought, but Mama got all upset about it. Tom and Kwini sure did see things differently so Tib walked off into the forest with his head cast down. Maybe, just maybe if he “could meet some new faces,” but he wasn’t expecting his wish to come true and certainly didn’t expect to meet such a big one.A big red dino face suddenly appeared in front of Tib’s. “AAAH! I thought dinosaurs were extinct!” Well, not this one. It went away and then when it came back Tib noticed that it had something very unusual about it ... it had a mark on his face just like his! It was so cool to have a red dino for a friend, but when he told Papa and his friends, they thought he was making it up. No way were they going to believe him. “Don’t waste our time,” one of the kids jabbed at him, “make-believe, polka-dot face.” The only person who believed him was little Kara and when she saw the crunching, munching dino she screamed and scared it away!Tumtum was just the name for a dino who looked like Tib. Tumtum was even a vegetarian and nom nom nom, even liked berries. He was a good friend, but everyone in the Big Rock Tribe thought Tib told tall tales like his Papa. “You have an imaginary friend!” Mama said as she squishy hugged him (yuk!), “That’s so sweet.” Every time Tib tried to get Tumtum to show his face, he would suddenly disappear. It was so cool to have a dino that even had a birthmark like his, but if no one could see him they’d think Tib was a liar AND a “blob-face.” How would he ever get Tumtum to quit hiding and show everyone he was a real live dino?This is a new series *starring* Tumtum, the dino, and Tib, series young readers will love. Already a Junior Literary Guild Selection, this graphic novel will have wide appeal. Even the most reluctant reader will race to the end to see if Tumtum is actually going to show his face to the tribe. Tib, who is bullied, really needed someone he could relate to and that someone was Tumtum, a very loveable critter who has a similar birthmark. The very interesting twist at the end is a perfect segue that will make Tumtum a valued member of Big Rock society. The panels are very bright, bold, and marvelously appealing. The message that it’s really kind of awesome to be different and that bullying is just not cool will click with young readers. Great new series to watch out for!This book courtesy of the publisher.

I just adored this lovely graphic novel for the younger set. So cute, funny and great art. I literally chuckled quite often and found Tib and his parents to be lovable, real characters. Great themes of telling tales, being overprotective and making fun of someone who is different. A pure joy to read; I don't often laugh out loud while reading but this tickled my funny bone. The only thing I didn't like was every now and then a 2-3 page episode would break up the continuity of the over all story: I guess you could call them asides that didn't have segues. Will certainly look for more from the series in the future.

This book is great! Some parts are funny,while other parts are happy. I like Tumtum because he is cute,and I like Tib because he is funny. I recommend it for people who like funny books. Overall,I give it 3 stars!