Fraggle Rock: Tails and Talesby Sheena McNeilReviews may contain information that could be considered 'spoilers'. Readers should proceed at their own risk. Publisher
Credits Grade: 7 This book compiles several stories that were previously released in smaller issues. The Fraggles were not my favorite Jim Henson characters, but I definitely enjoyed them when I did watch them. I always liked Red, but now that I'm older I have a better appreciation for and like both Mokey and Boober. The stories in this book spend some time focusing on all five main Fraggles (though Mokey's story is a bit forgettable). The book also includes the extras from those smaller volumes, as well as the cover art, so you get it all in one place!"Wembley and the Great Dream-Capade!" is a nice story to start things off with. Wembley can't decide what to dream about, so he dreams about nothing. His friends share their dreams with him, but that doesn't help. The ending brings them all together with a fitting message. The art has a weird "light" to it, but it kind of works well for the dreams. "The Fraggle who Cried Monster" is great — if you like monsters. There's quite a variety, and I enjoy seeing the storyteller, Gobo, get scared too. "Shopping with Silly Creatures" is really funny because it shows Travelling Max getting into a weird laundry situation. "My Gift is My Song" is very touching. "Brave Sir Wembley" is my least favorite art in the book — very dark and shadowy, but I do like that it has Boober risking himself after unintentionally scaring Wembley into shock. "Red's Chomp-A-Thon" is typical Red. She wants a guaranteed win, so she doesn't invite everyone, but she wants those she did invite to take it seriously. It's always hard to watch Red learn a lesson, partially because she doesn't retain the lesson, but it's still a good lesson. This story also has my favorite art in the book, because it seems most like watching an actual cartoon of the Fraggles. "The Meaning of Life" is defintely a story for older readers. All ages will enjoy the adventure and friendship, but younger readers may not fully grasp the mystery and answer. "Boober and the Ghastly Stain" is funny, and I like that it shows us this aspect of him. It's great that a whole story can be told on doing the laundry without boring the reader! (And it's the second laundry story in the book!) "The Perfect Words" is about Mokey trying to express her friendship with the others through a poem, but she can't get it just right. This is one of my least favorite stories because it's almost depressing watching Mokey slip into a mopey, sleep-deprived, stressed version of herself. It also has art that fits the story, but also aids the depressed feeling with more somber colors and shading and weird textures. If you're a fan of the Fraggles, I would say it's worth the $19.95 price tag for this beautiful, fully colored hardback with dust jacket. If you're not sure about it, you can always get one of the smaller / shorter volumes for $3.95. Written: September 15, 2011
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