Thank you Walker books for this book in exchange for an honest review
Synopsis:
Ethan’s dad is a comic artist whose greatest creation, the mutant superhero Kren, brought him fame and glory. But after his dad’s string of successful books, a tragedy strikes the family and now his dad is completely stuck.
If only artistic talent were hereditary. Ethan is stuck on a graphic-novel project of his own at school and won’t own up to the fact that he can’t draw. When one night an ink-blot creation emerges from his father’s sketchbook, the family’s whole world begins to change.
Featuring artwork by the beloved, award-winning illustrator Sydney Smith, Inkling is a timeless story that speaks to the creator in us all.
Review:
Inkling kicked me in the gut and there was an explosion of feelings.
How can such a cute little book be uplifting, heartfelt, immerse and yank at all my feelings? It was glorious and a perfect Middle Grade book that we need! I literally loved this book! I was on holiday we some friends and they have a 5 year old daughter who had to be part of the bookstagram photo and as soon as she saw the cover she said ‘This cover is happy and it makes me happy.’ I dieeeeddd people!!!
Ethan, the son of a famous illustrator of graphic novel and well known for the ‘Kren’ series, is working on a group project where he is picked to make the drawings, however he cannot draw to save himself. That is until Inkling comes along….
Inkling is a blob of ink that consumes ink from books and newspapers as food and can create any artwork under the sun. Ethan utilizing Inklings talents for his school projects, his Dad uses Inkling to help him out of a desperate work slump and most importantly provided his sister with much needed comfort. Inkling appeared at a time where Ethan’s family needed it most and Ethan must decide between what the family desires and what is best for Inkling.
I loved that morals and desperation to succeed come at a cross hair in this book, not only for Ethan and his father but for his father’s boss, who might have to drastically change his lifestyle if Ethan’s father doesn’t start producing work. At any point in one’s life you have to decide if you are willing to succeed or if you help a friend. This can simply come down to you deciding whether to hit the latest party or staying by your friends side while they are going through a hard time. It’s amazing how many instances this comes up in life but hardly comes up in books? After all not all of us pick the moral path.
I was deeply moved by this book and it has to be one of my favourite reads this year for sure. I loved all the characters, well actually just Ethan’s family and Inkling but regardless they were adorable and the lessons they learned to strike and help one another no matter what.
Oppel is a really interesting writer. I base that on the fact that for any action scenes there isn’t an overload of detail but barely any and yet I know exactly what I am meant to picture and how everything plays out. Let’s face it any author that doesn’t over describe I will be a fan of!
Another interesting part of the book is that Ethan’s sister has Down Syndrome which isn’t something you see a lot of in books and especially not middle grade either. And what I liked most about Ethan’s sister is that her disability isn’t shoved in my face but subtle there as if it is normal and nothing that needs to have extra attention. I reallllyyyyy hate it when books with characters of a disadvantage constantly remind you of that characters disadvantage… I mean I read the first half of the book, there is no need to constantly remind me about it, I already know. It’s as irritating as your mum chasing you to put your washing in the clothes basket when you were younger! Just saying!
Overall I loved this book and this is definitely another 5 star read for me. I loved the family dynamic and how they band together and grieve over their lost mother and the love they share for Inkling. Again, I highly recommend it.
Rating: 5/5
Publisher: Walker Books
ISBN: 9 781406380583