The Odds

The Odds #1

by Matt Stanton

From the bestselling author of the Funny Kid series, Matt Stanton, comes The Odds, the start of a hilarious and heartwarming graphic novel series about identity, imagination, and the joy of discovering who you really are. Kip is a quiet kid in a loud city. She's easy to miss and that's the way she likes it. Then one day Kip's quiet life is suddenly interrupted. Ten of her favorite characters have stepped out of their worlds and into hers. But what happens when a dragon-hunting rabbit leaves his comic strip? When an old man leaves his picture book? When a ninja leaves her TV show, a race-car driver leaves their video game, and a dinosaur turns up from Kip's nightmares? It’s a hilariously touching graphic novel from all-star author Matt Stanton about finding friendships and the fears of growing up.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Childrens, Middle Grade, Humor, Fiction, Fantasy, Comics

208 pages, Hardcover

Published January 4, 2022

About the author

Matt Stanton is a bestselling children's author and illustrator, with over a quarter of a million books in print. He is the co-creator of seven bestselling picture books, including the mega-hits, There is a Monster Under My Bed Who Farts and This is a Ball. He is launching his much-anticipated middle-grade series, Funny Kid around the world in July 2017.

Email: matt.stanton@gmail.com

Reviews

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's 3 1/2, just so you know.

Kip's quiet, and she's surprised to find ten of her favorite characters have stepped out of their world and into hers. A ninja from her TV show. A race-car driver from a video game. An old man from a picture book. Rabbit from a comic strip. And more.

I'm curious to see where this is going next.

[Bridget · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is just the cutest little book. A simple graphic novel told well. The characters from the comics that Dad writes turn up in Kip's room one night. She thinks she must be dreaming but wait, no, she isn't, these guys have escaped the page and headed into the world. They are a tricky bunch, unruly and rather too feisty for line drawings! They cause all kinds of trouble for Kip, who is a girl who wants a peaceful life, and some real friends.

All kinds of good fun. I really enjoyed it.

[Donovan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A father’s cartoon characters come to life and dishevel his and his daughter’s lives. Yet it’s also about their relationship and his wife / her mother. Overall, it’s chaotic and fun with sparse art that gives me stripped down Moebius vibes, sometimes.

[Benji · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very cool. I liked it all. When the Odds first showed up I thought it was crazy but then it gets really exciting and I didn't want it to finish. It has a lot of chapters, but they are all pretty short.

[Paula Lyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a charming book about a set of characters who come alive in a little girl's bedroom. This is an introductory story, so not a lot happens. It will be interesting to see where the author decides to take the idea.

I received an eARC from NetGalley.

[Stephanie Tournas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kip wakes up one morning to find a gang of imaginary creatures staring at her from the foot of her bed. She freaks out, but calms down a bit once she recognizes them: there’s Diana, the scary dinosaur from her nightmares, Lance, a rabbit character from one of her dad’s comics, Ninja-Nina from a TV show she loves, and a few more characters from Kip’s life. The Odds, as they start to call them, may be imaginary characters, but everyone can see them. Kip and her dad initially try to hide these odd characters away, fearing what people will say. But then, Kip lobbies for accepting them into her life. Maybe they will make her feel less lonely – she has no friends and her mother has died – and maybe school won’t be so unbearable knowing the Odds are waiting for her at home.

Lots of sight gags, funny and relatable moments, and a bit of realistic grief about her mom make this a read with satisfying humor, a bit of depth, and fun surprises. Each of the Odds has a distinct personality and reflects a part of Kip. The setting, which maybe explains Kip’s alienation, is a very busy, crowded, noisy city. Kip is picked on at school, although we don’t know why. Home is good with her father (they appear to be Black). Maybe the Odds can help dad figure out why he cannot come up with new comic ideas. There is a happy ending for Kip at school, and there will be more adventures to come.

What I didn't like: school is a nightmare for Kip, and kids openly bully her. We don’t know why she’s bullied or why no one does anything about it.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Goodreads for this copy in exchange for an honest review (from my 7 year old). He read the entire book himself in 3 nights, which I'm very proud of. He said he loved Ninja Nina. He also said it was funny, he liked the ending and wants to read the next one.

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny and fun with a great message about friendship and belonging. I love the illustrations as well.

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

I couldn't figure out what genre to use to describe this story. One morning the main character wakes up to find herself surrounded by characters from her own dreams and ideas, her father's comic strip, books that she's read, games that she's played, a TV show and one that even she can't figure out.
The weird cast of characters is a strength, in that it provides some truly strange variety. It's also a weakness, because there's no real explanation for much of what happens, and the only character development is maybe that of the main character.
This is the start of a series, and I am hoping that the second volume might get the readers closer to an understanding of what's really going on. This first volume was so tightly focused on setting up the series that there's not a whole lot else happening. That's not entirely a bad thing, but it felt like reading the introduction to something, rather than a complete story.
That's not to say that it's a bad book. It's cute, and although I might wish for a different style of art, only the dad came out as being drawn just too weirdly. I'm sorry, but nobody has a head shaped like that...

[Wayne McCoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

'The Odds #1' with story and art by Matt Stanton is a graphic novel for young readers about a young girl and her father who suddenly find themselves sharing their home with a bunch of strange characters.

Kip is a quiet girl who lives with her cartoonist father. One morning, she wakes to find herself surrounded by characters from different things in her life. One is her dad's creation, one is from a cartoon, and there are others. Kip is slowly brought out of her comfort zone and learns some things about herself.

I wasn't sure where this story was headed, but there is a point in the book that changed the whole thing for me. From then on, I really liked the story and the lesson it brings. The art is goofy, but kid-friendly and it's a good read for grade school aged readers.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Harper Collins Children's Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received a free ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review*

This is a must-have for classrooms and school libraries. The story is a lot of fun and the illustrations are beautiful. The first book in the series touches on themes of grief, insecurity, bullying, and problems at school while keeping a light tone that will keep young readers engaged. I look forward to seeing how all of the characters grow and change in future stories. Kip is the perfect protagonist and I liked that she was the one who wanted to keep trying to help the Odds when her father was ready to give up. Each of the Odds is unique and I love when they are interacting with one another. The parts where Kip and her father are trying to help them get back into the books/games/pages from which they came were very funny. I can easily see parents and kids reading this together and both really enjoying it.

[Novel Obsession]

Kip wakes up to find herself surrounded by various characters from her father’s drawings, her favorite TV show, A beloved book, and even her nightmares. Referred to as “The Odds,” this cast of characters has a lot of surprises and mischief in store for Kip and her father.

Matt Stanton’s graphic novel was a hit at our house, with kids and parents alike. Stanton manages to pack colorful illustrations and humor throughout the book while simultaneously addressing grief, anxiety, and bullying. And while Kip and her father may be at odds with the cast of characters at the beginning, they recognize that they are all in this together.

This is a huge thumbs up from my young reviewers, and we can’t wait to see what other books about The Odds Stanton may come out with.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was provided by the publisher. Originally posted at Novel Obsession.

[Amy apple · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, adorable cast of characters. It’s definitely a “book one “ setting things up and really not enough to be a solid standalone.

I’m interested to see how the story develops and possibly an explanation to how all the characters get there! :)

Love the cute art style.

[Geoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute story with crude yet charming art al about the power of imagination and friendship to overcome anxiety. I like the fact that both Kip and her father were in on the secret early and worked together to try to find solutions. I also liked the sense of autonomy and personhood shown by the odds. This first volume is setting up a series, and it looks cute albeit not too deep.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Endearing, funny story about a little girl whose imagination has literally come to life - because she has no real friends. Very satisfying to read, and looking forward to more from this clever, gentle author.

[Alisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Middle of the road tale about a girl who would prefer to fly under the radar. The cast of characters that have come to life around her make that impossible.

[Zahraa D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book

[Isabella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super cute short graphic novel

[{{Spark Abel}}]

Funny.

[R · Rating 4 out of 5]

So interesting with unique illustration techniques. Often made me laugh out loud! Great humor.

[Katie Reilley · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up.

Kip is a quiet kid who lives with her dad, a cartoonist. One morning Kip wakes up surrounded by ten of her favorite characters who’ve stepped out of their worlds and into hers. When these characters decide they want to head back from where they came, they begin to cause havoc in Kip’s city.

“Hard things are just hard, Kippo. You can’t escape them. But you know what did help? You. Even the hardest things are made easier if you have someone to share them with.” ~Dad

Heartfelt and hilarious graphic novel about friendship, imagination, and discovering who you are.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story that embraces the odd in us all. I love that Kip's manifestation of her inner imagination comes in the form of characters from not only her favorite books, but her favorite shows, videogames, comics, and stuffed animals. Truly a rich imaginative world. In learning to live with these odd remnants, she learns to live with and love herself.

[Ellon · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars (I really liked it)

I have to admit, this started off really weird. A bunch of imaginary creatures from various places (Dad's comic strip, TV show, dream, etc. ) show up in Kip's bedroom. Kip is a shy girl with no friends. The imaginary creatures wreak a bit of havoc but end up teaching Kip an important lesson about not hiding.

[Anne with Violets · Rating 4 out of 5]

A friendless girl, Kip, and her slumping dad are introduced to a series of characters, some from comics he draws, some from drawings she makes, some from games, and so on. The book ends with Dad and Kip embarking on a journey to put these characters back where they belong. Perhaps the journey will lead Dad out of his slump and Kip back to her self-esteem.

[Mrs.MakesReadingFun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Silly, funny, quirky, outlandish.
Kids who love Cat Kid, Captain Underpants, etc. will love this one!

Fall into a funny graphic novel, and escape for a bit!

Great for grades 2-5 in my opinion :)

[Wally · Rating 3 out of 5]

A girl wakes up to find herself surrounded by some of her imaginary friends, video game characters, and comic book characters drawn by her dad. Did not imagine this would be a light story about grief.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kip, a quiet kid in a loud city likes anonymity, but her quiet life is suddenly interrupted when ten of her favorite imaginary characters step out of their worlds and into hers. A fun beginnning to a new series for young readers.

[D.T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was charming. It's seriously quirky and a lot of things are nonsensical. Somehow all of these odd characters have appeared but they're connected to Kip in some way.

3.5

[Michele Knott · Rating 3 out of 5]

100% kids will enjoy this one. Looking forward to seeing where the series will go!

[Tamika Maree · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this. My son picked it and seems to be a winner