My favourite illustrated book is Maus (Part I ‘My Father Bleeds History’ and Part II ‘And Here My Troubles Began’ ) by Art Speigelman (1991, Pantheon Books). In 1992, it was the first graphic novel to win a Pulitzer Prize.
When Linda asked me to write about illustrated books for the Reading for Australia blog, I was concerned that perhaps Maus was not suitable for 10 to 13 year olds, but then I couldn’t think of another illustrated book that is a better example of the symbiotic connection between story and drawings, that even came close to the beauty and sophistication of Maus. So I thought I would tell you about it and you (and your parents) could decide whether it is appropriate for you.
It comes with a warning - the subject matter is grim!
Maus is about the Holocaust, so it is a difficult subject but it is also a very rewarding book, not just because the story is important and needs to be told but also because it is intelligent and clever and even, at times, funny. On top of all this, the drawings are superb.