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Doodleville #1
Doodleville
For fans of Svetlana Chmakova's Awkward and Raina Telgemeier's Smile comes an inventive new story from Cardboard Kingdom creator Chad Sell about a group of young artists who must work together when one of their own creations becomes a monster.
Drew is just a regular artist. But there's nothing ordinary about her art. Her doodles are mischievous . . . and rarely do they stay in Doodleville, the world she's created in her sketchbook. Instead, Drew's doodles prefer to explore the world outside. But after an inspiring class trip to the Art Institute of Chicago--where the doodles cause a bit too much trouble--Drew decides it's time to take her artistic talents to the next level.
Enter the Leviathan--Levi, for short. He's bigger and better than anything Drew has ever created before. He's a monster, but a friendly one. That is, until Levi begins to wreak havoc on Drew's other doodles--and on the heroes her classmates have dreamt up.
Levi won't be easily tamed, and it seems there is a link between the monster's bad behavior and Drew's feelings. With the help of her loyal art club friends, will she be able to save Doodleville--and Levi--before it's too late?
Drew is just a regular artist. But there's nothing ordinary about her art. Her doodles are mischievous . . . and rarely do they stay in Doodleville, the world she's created in her sketchbook. Instead, Drew's doodles prefer to explore the world outside. But after an inspiring class trip to the Art Institute of Chicago--where the doodles cause a bit too much trouble--Drew decides it's time to take her artistic talents to the next level.
Enter the Leviathan--Levi, for short. He's bigger and better than anything Drew has ever created before. He's a monster, but a friendly one. That is, until Levi begins to wreak havoc on Drew's other doodles--and on the heroes her classmates have dreamt up.
Levi won't be easily tamed, and it seems there is a link between the monster's bad behavior and Drew's feelings. With the help of her loyal art club friends, will she be able to save Doodleville--and Levi--before it's too late?
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 9, 2020
155 people are currently reading
1551 people want to read
About the author
Chad Sell
16 books107 followersSell exemplifies the new career path in comics: he started out making comics on his own, then did webcomics and self-published his work. His first graphic novel, The Cardboard Kingdom, is a series of short stories by different writers, all illustrated by Sell.
He lived in a neighborhood much like the Cardboard Kingdom, where he and his friends bounded through backyards in imaginative games and outfits. He also drew a lot and came up with all kinds of colorful characters. His favorites were often the villains, because despite being different and misunderstood, they were powerful and confident, and they got the best costumes.
Chad lives in Connecticut with his husband and two cats.
He lived in a neighborhood much like the Cardboard Kingdom, where he and his friends bounded through backyards in imaginative games and outfits. He also drew a lot and came up with all kinds of colorful characters. His favorites were often the villains, because despite being different and misunderstood, they were powerful and confident, and they got the best costumes.
Chad lives in Connecticut with his husband and two cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 317 reviews
May 8, 2021
The concept and art were good but I was thoroughly annoyed by the main character the entire time. So my reading experience was spoiled by how insanely annoying she was. Probably just not good from an adult standpoint reading this because I over analyzed the hell out of it. Chad Sell’s other book The Cardboard Kingdomwas good, but just wasn’t a fan this time around.
Some good aspects were the diversity and cute concept.
Some good aspects were the diversity and cute concept.
June 30, 2020
This didn't work for me. It has an interesting concept and some good messages about art, self-acceptance, and dealing with emotions, but I wanted more world-building and a lot less metaphor. Clearly, most readers liked this, and I'm glad that they did, but I had a hard time following the story. Because the author never grounded his magical realism plot within a framework of communicated rules for the fantasy world, what happened seemed random and choppy to me.
February 7, 2021
This magical middle grade graphic novel is about artwork coming alive! Drew loves to doodle. Her doodles have been coming alive since she was little. She takes her doodles on a field trip to an art museum and one of the doodles steals a hat! When Drew creates a new creature, bad things start happening when the creature turns evil and is threatening her doodles and other art work. Her friends from art club each have their own characters that come alive and help save the doodles.
The story is unique. The doodles were adorable! But overall the story could have been better executed. That being said the artwork was well done and I do think kids will enjoy this book.
The story is unique. The doodles were adorable! But overall the story could have been better executed. That being said the artwork was well done and I do think kids will enjoy this book.
September 8, 2020
Thanks to NetGalley for the free review copy!
This was such a cute book! I really enjoyed the story and the illustrations. I liked how it dealt with spiraling thoughts and anxiety as well. Overall, I think it's a really great book and would make a good addition to anyone's library!
This was such a cute book! I really enjoyed the story and the illustrations. I liked how it dealt with spiraling thoughts and anxiety as well. Overall, I think it's a really great book and would make a good addition to anyone's library!
May 10, 2021
3.5
I think I loved Cardboard Kingdom SO much that I overhyped this one to myself. Still great representation of imagination and emotions.
I think I loved Cardboard Kingdom SO much that I overhyped this one to myself. Still great representation of imagination and emotions.
April 30, 2020
This rating/review is based on an ARC courtesy of Netgalley and Knopf Books for Young Readers.
First let me say that I will definitely put this in the hands of kids. Well, once libraries reopen and once people start coming back and once we start ordering books again and once this book is actually published! I think kids who like The Cardboard Kingdom will like this too, but stop one is definitely CK.
I struggled with the world-building in this comic. The story focuses on Drew, a tween girl who loves drawing doodles. In the universe of the book her curious doodles can jump off the page and interact with the wider world. Is Drew somehow special? No, because her doodles interact with the drawings of her fellow Art Club members and with paintings at the Art Institute of Chicago. Is this just a part of the world? If it is then why are people surprised that it happens? Is this kid stuff “coming to life” but in actuality it’s imagined? That was such a clear and awesome delineation in Cardboard Kingdom, and this book is missing that element to ground it in reality.
The story structure and reality of the universe in Doodleville are all over the place. Sell wants it to be both fantastic and realistic, but commits to neither enough for make it make sense. I really, really wanted to like this more, and there are so many ideas in it that I LOVE. Somehow when it's all combined it just falls flat.
First let me say that I will definitely put this in the hands of kids. Well, once libraries reopen and once people start coming back and once we start ordering books again and once this book is actually published! I think kids who like The Cardboard Kingdom will like this too, but stop one is definitely CK.
I struggled with the world-building in this comic. The story focuses on Drew, a tween girl who loves drawing doodles. In the universe of the book her curious doodles can jump off the page and interact with the wider world. Is Drew somehow special? No, because her doodles interact with the drawings of her fellow Art Club members and with paintings at the Art Institute of Chicago. Is this just a part of the world? If it is then why are people surprised that it happens? Is this kid stuff “coming to life” but in actuality it’s imagined? That was such a clear and awesome delineation in Cardboard Kingdom, and this book is missing that element to ground it in reality.
The story structure and reality of the universe in Doodleville are all over the place. Sell wants it to be both fantastic and realistic, but commits to neither enough for make it make sense. I really, really wanted to like this more, and there are so many ideas in it that I LOVE. Somehow when it's all combined it just falls flat.
May 31, 2020
Cute kids graphic novel about the importance of art, not suppressing emotions, friendship, teamwork, and creativity. The art style is really engaging (and some of the doodles the author has been drawing since he was a kid!) and while it wasn't my favorite graphic novel, I'm not the target audience. But I'd buy it for my kids.
**Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for giving me a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
**Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for giving me a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
January 17, 2021
I really didn't know what to make of this. At first it started out innocently enough, but then it just dissolved into ANGST DRAMA ANGST. Was this supposed to be a metaphor for something? I guess when someone goes through depression and although there's support from friends and family they too get weary of the support? This book could just be a simple comic with no bigger themes, but good lord, it went on again and again to a point where it became exhausting to read.
April 2, 2022
Lots to love about this graphic novel: the focus on a passion for art, supportive friends, lots of LGBTQ+ features but done in a way that normalizes it rather than that being the focus of the book, and also dealing with anxiety. The anxiety piece comes out in a drawing the character does so I'm wondering if kids will get that right away. Interesting concept of a kid's drawings coming to life and living in the Doodleville town she created for them.
July 12, 2020
Imagine if all art was alive. Superheroes could move through the pages of a comic, a landscape painting could change depending on the time of day and Mona Lisa’s mood could change. This is a reality in Drew’s world in Chad Sell’s magical new graphic novel, Doodleville
Drew is a doodler and since she was little she has been doodling funny creatures that come alive. All art in Drew’s world is alive and when her Art Club visits the Art Institute she sees how amazing art can be. She sneaks in her own doodles though who create havoc in the paintings, including stealing a baby’s hat from one painting. Drew creates Levi, a dragon-like creature, for her art project but this cute, friendly creature turns dark and starts to hunt the other doodles. As Drew let’s her fear and uncertainty take over Levi wreaks havoc and it’s up to Drew and her friends to stop Levi.
The idea of art coming to life is so cool and Chad certainly makes it feel like his characters are alive and moving. The action of the story moves so smoothly through the illustrations and Chad doesn’t let panels limit how the story flows. I love the character designs as they’re cartoony but have really expressive faces.
My favourite thing about Chad’s stories is the diversity of his characters. In Doodleville, Ameer and Zenobia are black, and it’s possible that Beck and TJ are gender diverse. Zenobia’s doodles are the Magical Butterfly Boyfriends, two princes from warring kingdoms who are in love. It’s great for kids to not only see themselves in graphic novels but also to see other kids who are different from them.
Chad promises readers that this is just the start of Drew’s story so we’ll see more of her and the gang in the next book.
Drew is a doodler and since she was little she has been doodling funny creatures that come alive. All art in Drew’s world is alive and when her Art Club visits the Art Institute she sees how amazing art can be. She sneaks in her own doodles though who create havoc in the paintings, including stealing a baby’s hat from one painting. Drew creates Levi, a dragon-like creature, for her art project but this cute, friendly creature turns dark and starts to hunt the other doodles. As Drew let’s her fear and uncertainty take over Levi wreaks havoc and it’s up to Drew and her friends to stop Levi.
The idea of art coming to life is so cool and Chad certainly makes it feel like his characters are alive and moving. The action of the story moves so smoothly through the illustrations and Chad doesn’t let panels limit how the story flows. I love the character designs as they’re cartoony but have really expressive faces.
My favourite thing about Chad’s stories is the diversity of his characters. In Doodleville, Ameer and Zenobia are black, and it’s possible that Beck and TJ are gender diverse. Zenobia’s doodles are the Magical Butterfly Boyfriends, two princes from warring kingdoms who are in love. It’s great for kids to not only see themselves in graphic novels but also to see other kids who are different from them.
Chad promises readers that this is just the start of Drew’s story so we’ll see more of her and the gang in the next book.
September 9, 2020
Drew has loved doodling ever since a child. But there's something special about her doodles...they come to life! Drew has managed to create a whole village for them, but they do escape from time to time and travel along walls and paper on innocent adventures. When she joins the Art Club at her school, Drew struggles with creating more than just doodles. She decides to create a new doodle...bigger and better than anything else. She names it Levi (short for Leviathan), but he threatened Drew's other doodles and the Art Club's creations. Together, Drew and her Art Club friends must find a way to restore peace.
The world building was a little confusing at times, but I believe that readers would suspend disbelief enough to enjoy the story.
The world building was a little confusing at times, but I believe that readers would suspend disbelief enough to enjoy the story.
July 3, 2020
So happy for this new series from Chad Sell!
Drew (perfect name!) is a doodler. I've had MANY doodlers over the years. Wish I would have had this book last year for the KING of doodlers.
You could go really deep with this book. Drew's Leviathan reflects her own inner self -- part happy/friendly, and part dark/destructive. The book explores how to own your demons and balance them with your better self.
Love the community of Drew's art club, how each artist's characters reflect them with different strengths, and how they collaborated to help Drew.
Drew (perfect name!) is a doodler. I've had MANY doodlers over the years. Wish I would have had this book last year for the KING of doodlers.
You could go really deep with this book. Drew's Leviathan reflects her own inner self -- part happy/friendly, and part dark/destructive. The book explores how to own your demons and balance them with your better self.
Love the community of Drew's art club, how each artist's characters reflect them with different strengths, and how they collaborated to help Drew.
July 16, 2020
This was a really charming book with a great message about handling feelings of inadequacy or feeling out of control. I loved the character designs and the concept of drawings that could jump from surface to surface. This is one where at times I started thinking too hard about the rules of the magic, silly Katie. Once I stopped thinking so hard I enjoyed the ride greatly. Sell has a great deal of drawing videos on YouTube where you can learn to draw your own Doodles and he encourages young artists to never give up.
April 10, 2024
3.5 stars. This book is about a girl who loves to doodle and her doodles come to life. She draws a leviathan and it comes to life and destroys the entire art club's creations, including all of her doodles. The Leviathan was sweet and silly at first, but it represents shame and sadness for her, so it destroys when she's feeling blue. The group teams up to defeat the leviathan and theyre somewhat successful in the end, or are they!? Can't wait for the sequel! A little LGBTQ rep. A little too scary for my 6 year old.
May 28, 2024
It was overall pretty stupid. Like the idea of living drawings is interesting, but the MC was super annoying and the art style was horrible. It made me think of early 2000s animation? So I couldn’t get over the weirdly and poorly drawn characters. The plot was fine but really just was trying too much.
Idk what could’ve been done to save this plot. Maybe make the characters more likable? Or maybe have the plot have a little more depth and purpose? Idk it just did not land for me.
Do not recommend.
Idk what could’ve been done to save this plot. Maybe make the characters more likable? Or maybe have the plot have a little more depth and purpose? Idk it just did not land for me.
Do not recommend.
January 3, 2023
*** Typed by mom***
I gave this a 3 because of another book I read. This was a recommendation based on another book I read but it didn't have magic like I wanted. (Referencing to the other book since it said "other books like this.") It was good I like to doodle but it was just different than what I personally was looking for.
I gave this a 3 because of another book I read. This was a recommendation based on another book I read but it didn't have magic like I wanted. (Referencing to the other book since it said "other books like this.") It was good I like to doodle but it was just different than what I personally was looking for.
April 14, 2020
What a sweet comic! It's simultaneously a book about the joy of making art, a book about mental health, and a book about celebrating differences - all wrapped up in colorful, artsy, kid-friendly package. I loved it. :)
May 20, 2020
Doodleville comes close, but doesn’t quite hit the mark, in its depiction of mental issues and insecurity. While I appreciate the diverse cast and will likely want to read more about them, I don’t feel a strong connection with this one. If given the choice, I’d go for Cardboard Kingdom instead.
October 24, 2020
Whew, that was intense! My 12-yo doodler LOVED this book. My librarian self thinks it’s too long, but so what? The diner, the gender-diverse characters, the detail, the raw emotion, all carried the story. I laughed and cried more than once. Thank you, Chad Sell, above all else, for normalizing queer & trans representation in middle grade graphic novels. My whole family loves you.
March 10, 2021
Drew has always loved to doodle since the age of three, and has continued over the years creating her own world of imagination. After she joins the art club at school her life changes when one of her creations begins to destroy her other doodles, and together with the other members of the art club they must work together to corral the destructive monster before it's too late.
June 25, 2020
My students are going to love reading about Drew and her doodles and how they come to life. The whole time I thought about pairing with Inkling!
November 18, 2020
Doodleville was interesting but a little bit embarrassing. The main character's doodles are idiots. The art is good. Cardboard Kingdom was better.
June 16, 2021
SO unique and wonderful! I would recommend!
July 24, 2021
Super adorable! It has such a cute idea and it does a great job with expressing mental health, the LGBTQ+ community, and uniting as a team. Really recommend it! Soooo cute 🥰!
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October 18, 2021An amazing book filled with great eye catching artwork. if you like chad sell, you will love this book.
April 21, 2022
Silly little JG story that I grabbed off the shelf yesterday.
I thought it would be different than it was, but that's OK.
I liked the fact that the drawings came to life.
I didn't like the fact that everyone could see them.
I guess I wanted it to play out differently?
Its silly, but prob great for all those art driven 8-11year olds out there!
I thought it would be different than it was, but that's OK.
I liked the fact that the drawings came to life.
I didn't like the fact that everyone could see them.
I guess I wanted it to play out differently?
Its silly, but prob great for all those art driven 8-11year olds out there!
October 21, 2022
4.25 stars
January 6, 2024
Doodleville
Overall Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (4/5) or 7.85/10 overall
Characters - 8
Atmosphere - 9
Writing - 8
Plot - 8
Intrigue - 7
Logic - 7
Enjoyment - 8
Overall Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (4/5) or 7.85/10 overall
Characters - 8
Atmosphere - 9
Writing - 8
Plot - 8
Intrigue - 7
Logic - 7
Enjoyment - 8
January 30, 2024
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) or (8.14/10)
Characters - 8
Atmosphere - 8
Writing - 8
Plot - 9
Intrigue - 8
Logic - 8
Enjoyment - 8
Characters - 8
Atmosphere - 8
Writing - 8
Plot - 9
Intrigue - 8
Logic - 8
Enjoyment - 8
August 3, 2020
Such a creative story, and I LOVE Chad Sell’s artwork.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 317 reviews