Zita the Spacegirl

After this book arrived, and after I thumbed through it, I was quite surprised my kids liked it. It has very few words. It is mostly graphics....lots of pictures.
The books is quite thick compared to most graphic books I've seen.
I bought the book for my 6 year old, but my 9 year old really like it too.
I sent the book to another little girl, but I've received no feed back. I'm hoping she enjoyed it too.

Why have I never heard of this series before?! Have I been hiding under a meteoroid? This was so much fun!!!

When Zita and her friend Joseph find a hole in the earth that wasn’t there before, they have to check it out. There’s a meteoroid with something inside it. Something that has a red button. Of course Zita is going to press it! A portal appears and something grabs Joseph and pulls him through. After some mild freaking out Zita follows him through the portal into another world with a multitude of alien species. Or perhaps she’s the alien?

Zita witnesses Joseph being kidnapped and is determined to find him and return them both to Earth. Along the way she meets new friends including One, Mouse, Strong-Strong and Randy. Together they journey against the clock to find and save Joseph, for there’s a countdown happening in this world. There’s only three days left before an asteroid will destroy it!

This is one of those graphic novels that has few words but is big in story and scale. The illustrations of all of the new creatures Zita comes across are generally either cute, amusing or downright creepy. I love a ‘girl on an epic quest’ story and this one is action packed. I smiled throughout the story and can’t wait for the next instalment.

Why have I never heard of this series before?! Have I been hiding under a meteoroid? This was so much fun!!!

When Zita and her friend Joseph find a hole in the earth that wasn’t there before, they have to check it out. There’s a meteoroid with something inside it. Something that has a red button. Of course Zita is going to press it! A portal appears and something grabs Joseph and pulls him through. After some mild freaking out Zita follows him through the portal into another world with a multitude of alien species. Or perhaps she’s the alien?

Zita witnesses Joseph being kidnapped and is determined to find him and return them both to Earth. Along the way she meets new friends including One, Mouse, Strong-Strong and Randy. Together they journey against the clock to find and save Joseph, for there’s a countdown happening in this world. There’s only three days left before an asteroid will destroy it!

This is one of those graphic novels that has few words but is big in story and scale. The illustrations of all of the new creatures Zita comes across are generally either cute, amusing or downright creepy. I love a ‘girl on an epic quest’ story and this one is action packed. I smiled throughout the story and can’t wait for the next instalment.

I have loved comic books since the age of three. I still remember my first comic, an issue of World’s Finest featuring Batman and Superman. I still love comic books, but unfortunately have trouble finding appropriate ones to share with my six-year-old daughter. You see, even though I’m now thirty-seven, most Batman and Superman comic books are still written for me. Furthermore, the all-ages comic books released by Marvel and DC tend to be one slugfest after another. I’m not interested in my daughter reading that sort of thing.

A few weeks back, I started hearing good things about a graphic novel series called Zita the Spacegirl. My daughter and I love making up space stories, so we headed to the local library and checked out the first volume. My daughter immediately loved it.
I read it to her to double-check its appropriateness, and I’m pleased to say it’s a perfect match for what my daughter wants and for what I require. I won’t lie, I love the character as well. In fact, after we returned that first volume to the library, we bought all three volumes for her birthday.

I love Zita the Spacegirl because while it’s appropriate for a six-year-old, it’s also full of action and real science fiction. There are aliens, spaceships, robots, and explosions. But there’s also a lot of positive messages in it as well, such as loyalty, doing the right thing, facing your fear, and self-reliance.

Hatke’s art, by the way, is top-notch. Yes, it’s purposefully cartoonish, but I challenge you to find a more diverse and interesting collection of robots and aliens in any comic book. Furthermore, his sequential storytelling is perfect. My daughter has no trouble following the progression because of Hatke’s smooth transitions from panel to panel. Make no mistake, by the way, this book is one-step away from being a little scary. It never quite frightens my daughter, but some of the aliens are creepy, some of the story is pretty tense, and there are moments of real danger for our characters. Hatke knows a good story has to be appealing, and he’s made it so by getting as close to the line as he can without crossing over it.

As a final boon, if you’re familiar with my writing you know I’m always searching on my daughter’s behalf for a female character that is not a male derivative (Supergirl) and that is also not in her underwear (Wonder Woman). In Zita, we have a girl not much older than my daughter who is tough, kind, smart, funny, brave, independent, and respectable.

I’m so happy to have found a comic book that I feel good about sharing with my daughter.

Zita the Spacegirl is without a doubt the very best comic for parents to begin the adventure of graphic novels with their young children. I purchased the series from Powell's Books in Portland, as it was selected by the staff as a highly recommended read. A few years later and my daughter and I have read the entire series at least 5 times.

What I love most is the in-depth characters that stick with you through the entire series. From the intrepid Zita, sly Piper, mystical Madrigal, undaunted One, wobbly Ra-a-andy and a couple of odd pipe traversing tube vermin, the universe of Zita the Spacegirl is filled with awe and wonder. It will keep you turning the page until the end.

You cannot help but assign voices to each of these very lifelike characters. Piper is sort of a RDJ voice, while One gets the Lt. Worf inflections.

Hatke's storytelling is harmonized with what could only be described as his very cool and organic style of drawing.

Too add, we Ben at a book signing and he was one of the most down to earth, nice and sincere people you could ever meet. My daughter blushed, he blushed. My daughter hid behind a book shelf, Ben hid behind a book shelf. One of the most memorable nights for me because frankly, I'm a huge fan too!

Zita is an unremarkable girl, playing with her friend Joseph in the fields around her house, until the path of adventure confronts her. She and Joseph discover a small box at the bottom of a fresh crater that opens a portal to another world. When Joseph is pulled through by some tentacled thing, Zita discovers the hero within and chases after.

On a strange new world, full of myriad bizarre aliens (giant snails! creatures with lots of eyes and lots of limbs! hairy things, clutching their handbags!), Zita feels small and lost, until she befriends a giant alien named Strong Strong. Through her grit, deep compassion, and ability to inspire others to greatness, she brings together robots, aliens, and other people to help her save Joseph. In the end, she saves Joseph, discovers the selfless hero at her core, and (like Dorothy in Oz) helps her friends reveal their own better selves.

Author and illustrator Ben Hatke has put together a delightfully heartwarming book. His exquisitely detailed drawings and delightful tale of adventure and heroism are sure to inspire the little person in your life (and you too!). Hatke deftly weaves a story of self-discovery and empowerment for young people, that is also rewarding for young adult and adult readers alike.

As an added bonus, this is a great read out loud book. By their posture, word choice, and the typography in the speech bubbles, each character has a unique voice - they clearly tell you how they should sound.

With his gorgeous art, quick story telling, and inspiring story, this is an excellent introduction to the genre of comics/graphic novels. I highly recommend Zita the Spacegirl!

This review and more like it available on my blog, Bibliopapa.

Really excellent middle-grade science-fiction feels like a hard thing to find these days. This graphic novel more than delivered, offering zany aliens, an intrepid girl explorer and an enjoyably distinctive style. Zita, who seems to be around 10 years of age or so, is a bit impulsive and given to making hasty decisions. After a meteor delivers a strange looking alien device, she teases her brother Joseph and hits the button, and is shocked, overwhelmed and sad when he is sucked into a vortex. Not knowing what else to do, she jumps in after him. She soon finds herself on an alien world, and with Joseph kidnapped, she makes an unlikely alliance with Strong-Strong, a sweet but kind of dumb brute, often bossed around by his levitating, top-hat wearing, cockney-accented boss. Piper, a bit of a rogue and conman, his friend/pet Pizzicato, better known as "Mouse" a gigantic mouse who communicates via ticker tape, as well as H.A.M.B.O. - a Heavily Armored Mobile Battle Orb, otherwise known as One, a slightly dysfunctional battle robot all join her on her quest to rescue Joseph.

Zita the Spacegirl favorably reminded me of several other recent books: Hereville: How Mirka Got Her Sword, because Zita and Mirka both share the same irrepressible spirit. Zita's quest to find answers and the diverse alien population giving things a Mos Eisley feel reminded me of Eva Nine's adventures in The Search for WondLA. The sense of humor and fast pace made me think of Rapunzel's Revenge and Calamity Jack, a mildly steampunkish retelling of fairy tales.

The ending of the book promises more in a series. Fast-paced, fun and accessible, I'd recommend Zita the Spacegirl for a wide range of readers, from 4th through 8th grade.

Wonderful book and trilogy - a great adventure story for any child, especially young girls. Characters are memorable, aliens are goofy. I read this with my 5 and 3 year old, would expect it to be relevant until age 9-10 or so.

"Zita The Spacegirl"
Written & illustrated by Ben Hatke
(First Second, 2011)
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This is a really great, really fun, fast-moving sci-fi graphic novel starring Zita, a plain, regular Earth girl who gets flung across the cosmos onto a weird, doomed planet packed with zillions of bizarre aliens and robots, some quite friendly, some much less so. Zita -- spunky, resourceful, loyal and brave -- is resolved to save a playmate who got snatched up by a sinister, squidlike mercenary, and she faces all manner of weirdness in her quest. She also makes new friends and they have equally appealing personalities... This was a very satisfying, compelling story, particularly nice since it's completely appropriate for younger readers, not too creepy (though, admittedly, a little bit in a couple of places) while packed with on-purpose silly plot elements and one heck of a cool female adventurer. Really, the only negative comment I have is that the book ends so quickly and I am so totally ready to read the sequel (or sequels!) as soon as possible. If you enjoyed the early issues of Scott McCloud's classic "Zot" series, you'll love this, too. (Joe Sixpack, ReadThatAgain children's book reviews)

I heard about Zita the Spacegirl through a friend's blog, and even though I'm not a big comics person I decided to check it out. I'm so glad I did! This book is a joy of a ride--with a spunky character you totally root for (and who has depths to her that so many characters in this genre unfortunately don't have); a gang of pals, each one unique and funny and intriguing (a giant mouse with a mysterious past, for example); a plot that keeps you turning the pages without even noticing you're turning them...

The art is brilliant and brilliantly colorful, with terrific world-building and new details you find even on, say, the third read. This is a comic for both boys and girls, and adults too. No wonder it's gotten such good reviews in the press/blogs/Goodreads/MTV.com, etc. I can't wait for the sequel! Seriously, check this one out.

The other 5-star reviews are right on target here; I would only add that anyone who says this work is meant for children doesn't know how to enjoy a good graphic novel. While it's entirely kid-friendly, "Zita" wasn't created just for children; rather it was made with a child-like spirit.

Every page is its own little delightful work of art, a menagerie of fantastical creatures that immediately make you wish they were real, and living in your backyard. Not one single panel bores or begs to be skipped over. If you have any love at all for adventure, whimsy, or creative storytelling, "Zita the Space Girl" is worth every penny.

Such fun! I absolutely loved Zita! What a fantastical, exciting world in which she finds herself. A quick read for me that had me turning the pages with complete joy from start to finish. I can't believe I waited this long to read the book. Kids will absolutely love this fun sci-fi romp and I can't wait to read her next adventure.

I purchased this graphic novel for my then 7 year old imaginative girl. This book is perfect for children with incredibly active imaginations. She was unable to put this book down. Read book over and over and over again. Still asks when the next book is coming out and frankly, so do I.

Another fantastic graphic novel that I think my students are going to love. Zita is horsing around with a friend of hers when they discover a large hole and strange device. When she presses the button on the device, her best friend gets sucked into a different world and she runs after him. This world is going to explode in three days, so she must find a way to save him and head home safely. The graphics were fantastic and the story even more so.

Zita and her friend Joseph stumble upon an asteroid with a strange red button. Being the curious kids they are they push this button. Joseph ends up being wisked away. Zita is scared and wants to run away but ends up pushing the button again and it off on a quest to save her friend! This fast paced graphic novel will grab the attention of reluctant readers and book worms alike! It will leave them wanting a sequel!

Another fantastic graphic novel that I think my students are going to love. Zita is horsing around with a friend of hers when they discover a large hole and strange device. When she presses the button on the device, her best friend gets sucked into a different world and she runs after him. This world is going to explode in three days, so she must find a way to save him and head home safely. The graphics were fantastic and the story even more so.

Zita and her friend Joseph stumble upon an asteroid with a strange red button. Being the curious kids they are they push this button. Joseph ends up being wisked away. Zita is scared and wants to run away but ends up pushing the button again and it off on a quest to save her friend! This fast paced graphic novel will grab the attention of reluctant readers and book worms alike! It will leave them wanting a sequel!

Ben Hatke has been one of my favorite young artists for a while, so I was excited to see this full-length Zita book up for pre-order on the store. And--wow to the store's service--my copy arrived on the release day, Feb. 1.

It's a visual feast from beginning to end, and a great story kids of all ages will love. At times it reminded me of "The Iron Giant" and Miyazaki's "Spirited Away"--here's hoping for a Zita movie next.

Get it in hardcover--it's worth it!