In response to the growing demand for kid-friendly comics and graphic novels, Image Comics has created SILVERLINE BOOKS, a new imprint devoted to providing original, high-quality material to bridge the gap between picture books and comics.

When Shadowline, a division of Image Comics, began picking up an increasing amount of kid-friendly titles, Shadowline President Jim Valentino decided to launch Silverline Books. Along with Editor Kristen Simon, Valentino sees Silverline Books as an opportunity to get kids excited about reading. “Our goal, by presenting a mixture of traditional storybooks (prose and illustration) with easy to follow comics (panels and word balloons) is to inspire reading as a habitual form of entertainment.”

Valentino and Simon have been careful to develop material that is both appropriate and appealing for young readers, focusing on humor and exciting situations with underlying positive, uplifting messages. “We respect the fact that children only lack maturity and experience, not intelligence. Some of our books are adventures; most have a subtle message contained within the story that parents and educators will, hopefully, elaborate upon with the kids.”

Currently available Silverline Books titles include Missing the Boat (ISBN: 978-1-60706-015-4), about a fictional species who show up late to Noah’s Ark; Bruce: the Little Blue Spruce (ISBN: 978-1-60706-008-6), which tells the story of a misfit Christmas Tree and The Surreal Adventures of Edgar Allen Poo (ISBN: 978-1-58240-975-7) which follows the thrillingly weird adventures of a dream manifestation of Edgar Allen Poe.

Upcoming titles to watch out for include:

T. Runt! Derek McCulloch and Jimmie Robinson tell the story of the runt of the litter who gains self-confidence when he realizes that being the smallest T. Rex does not mean he’s the smallest animal in the forest.

Timothy and the Transgalactic Towel. Timothy’s dad goes on a lot of business trips and always brings something back for his son. This time dad brings him a towel! Timothy is disappointed, to say the least, until he discovers that not only can the towel fly, but it can traverse time and space. This one is by Mike Bullock and Michael Metcliff, author and artist of Lions, Tigers and Bears.

Tiffany’s Epiphany. Tiffany is a skunk who bullies others out of low self-esteem. Written by Kristen Koerner Simon and illustrated by Jim Valentino, Tiffany’s Epiphany features many of the same characters as Bruce: the Little Blue Spruce. According to Simon and Valentino, “Our goal is to give a gentle message about understanding and self-worth and, via the rhyme in the title, expand a child’s vocabulary a bit.”

Evil & Malice Evelyn and Malinda are the 13-year old twin daughters of the infamous but soft-hearted villain, The Black Eye.  But when a group of super villains makes life miserable for their father, the girls take action themselves -- as superheroes!  Author Jimmie Robinson spins a tale of madcap action in a race against time before their father discovers their identities and grounds them for life.

The Lava is a Floor!   Two monster children dig deep into their imaginations to become the weirdest creatures of all: humans!  These two brother and sister monsters live in a cave in the crater of a live volcano. They live there with their parents, and they have wild imaginations and like to play and pretend all day long. Eating worms and wall critters for dinner, they imagine it to be spaghetti and meatballs! What they pretend and imagine appears to be mundane to normal humans, but very exotic to them. This book by Justin Shady and Jeremy Scott humorously teaches children to appreciate the little things in life.

Valentino and Simon are enthusiastic about reaching educators and librarians with their books, and will be attending the ALA Annual Conference, Book Expo America and regional shows to promote Silverline Books. For more information and previews of their titles, please visit www.silverlinebooks.com.