Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Book Review: Prime Baby by Gene Luen Yang and Derek Kirk Kim

Prime Baby written and drawn by Gene Luen Yang and colors by Derek Kirk Kim


Thaddeus has a big problem--he's been upstaged by a new-born sister. She's cute and gets lots of attention. Thaddeus can't compete until he comes up with a theory that she communicates through primary numbers. All she says is "ga" but she says it only in multiples that are prime numbers. He declares her not only an alien, but the first part of a massive alien invasion. His parents and his school chums are not convinced.

The story is very imaginative and surprisingly humane. Thaddeus is a bit of a brat but suffers for his world view. He slowly learns to appreciate others in his life in a way that doesn't seem hamfisted or over the top. It's a sweet story told in a standard newspaper three-panel comic format. The series originally appeared in the New York Times Magazine from 2008 to 2009.

Recommended.


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