Babymouse: Dragonslayer by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm

Babymouse: Dragonslayer

Babymouse is having trouble in math. None of the numbers make sense and even her big imagination isn't helping. Then her math teacher recruits her for the mathletes team, figuring that a little competition and some encouragement from her teammates will help Babymouse succeed. Together they learn about math, and come competition time, Babymouse uses her new skills along with her copious imagination to overcome the dragon that is mathematics.

Appeal: Imagination, good female characters, animals, math, overcoming obstacles in school

Art: Monochromatic, exaggerated, anthropomorphic

Text: Dramatic, fantastical

Other: Jennifer Holm was a television producer before she began writing children's books. Her other series the Stink Files, Squish, and Boston Jane.

Awards: Jennifer Holm has won three Newbery Honor Awards, for Turtle in Paradise, Our Only May Amelia, and Penny From Heaven.

Holm, Jennifer L. Holm, Matthew. Babymouse: Dragonslayer. New York : Random House Children's Books, 2009. Print.

Heavenly Nostrils by Dana Simpson

Heavenly Nostrils

A strip about a girl named Phoebe and her best friend, a unicorn named Marigold Heavenly Nostrils. One day Phoebe is skipping rocks in the woods behind her house and she hits a unicorn by mistake. Phoebe's rock saved Marigold from staring forever at her own captivating reflection and in return, Marigold grants Phoebe one wish. Phoebe wishes for Marigold to become her best friend. Marigold is a magical, self-absorbed unicorn, and Phoebe is an imaginative and enthusiastic nine-year-old. Together they learn how to be friends in a world filled with candy-barfing dragons, goblins, video game-obsessed parents, and fourth-grade frenemies. Heavenly Nostrils is available online at gocomics.com.

Appeal: Magic, fantasy, sarcastic humor, unicorns, all ages.

Art: Flowing, modern

Text: Conversational, fantastical

Other: Dana Simpson also drew a webcomic called Ozy and Millie, populated by talking animals, with similar themes of elementary school philosophy and adventure. Ozy and Millie ran from 1998 to 2008, and is available online.

Simpson, Dana. "Heavenly Nostrils." gocomics.com. Universal Uclick, n. d. Web. 26 Mar. 2014.

Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson

Calvin and Hobbes

Calvin and his best friend Hobbes, whom Calvin sees as a live tiger and whom everyone else sees as a stuffed animal, have lots of adventures. They explore in the woods, travel to Mars, fight with the girl next door, and make mayhem while discussing philosophy and life as seen from Calvin's six-year-old point of view. Calvin and Hobbes is available online at gocomics.com.

Appeal: Childhood mischief, imagination, environmentalism, philosophy, art, family friendly

Art: Calligraphic, dynamic, realism in some Sunday strips.

Textual style: Sarcastic, ironic, conversational.

Other: Bill Watterson is notoriously reclusive, and has given only a handful of interviews since the launch of Calvin and Hobbes. He refuses to allow merchandise or other media to be based on his comic strip.

Awards: Watterson has won numerous awards for Calvin & Hobbes, including the Reuben Award for Cartoonist of the Year in 1986 and 1988, Harvey Awards in 1989, 1990, 1991, and 1993 through 1996, and an Eisner Award for Best Comic Strip Collection in 1992. The Complete Calvin and Hobbes had a starred review in Publisher's Weekly.

Watterson, Bill. Attack Of The Deranged Mutant Killer Monster Snow Goons. Kansas City, Mo. : Andrews And McMeel, 1992. Print. All.