The world of Steampunk is an intoxicating realm of good and and evil redone in a fine new fashion. From artwork to story Steampunk reigns as one of the most under appreciated works in the comic world, with twists and turns, hereos and villians unlike anything you've seen or would expect. This work makes a great addition to any fans collection, an outstanding read and experience.

The artwork in this book has only one word to describe it: Stunning. Each page is rendered masterfully by the visionary that is Chris Bachalo. The story is amazing, but it is not as easy to read as your typical book. It takes time and thought to make sense of story because there is so much on each page. While this may hinder the simple reader's enjoyment, it makes the plot so much deeper and fuels a growing respect for the creators who deserve so much more respect in the industry than they currently receive.

This is a thought porvoking series designed to make you think and guaranteed to entertain. Be warned it's not for everyone but this highly original volume containing issues 1 thru 5 is definately worth the effort. Check it out if you want engaging original comics fiction. Steer clear if you just want the same old comics spoon fed to you on a platter.

Do you remember being told as a child that some relatives (whom you didn't really recall) were coming to visit? If so, this book will evoke all of the trepidition and excitement of those days . . . not to mention the scattered inconveniences you experienced, that were quickly forgotten in oceans of warm acceptance.

The strength of the book is in its illustrations, which warmly capture emotional closeness, like being tucked into bed by your Mom after a wonderful but tiring day. For those illustrations, The Relatives Came won a Caldecott Honor Award in 1986 that is well deserved.

The images are very happy, soft and fuzzy all at the same time. The illustrations look as though they were produced with pastel pencils using very fine points, constantly sharpened. With rounded faces and bodies, everyone seems very open and comfortable in hospitable surroundings. I have rarely seen a book that sets a better illustrated tone for a friendly family gathering. It caused me to recall my favorite family reunions.

The story is not as strong as the illustrations, but is more than adequate. One part of the family lives in Virginia and is leaving before the grapes are ready to be picked. They get up at 4 a.m. and drive straight through in a food and luggage packed station wagon. They leave the same way, weeks later, after having spent a happy summer camping inside the relative's house they visit. The initial nervousness and homesickness give way to missing their relatives, based on the happy times they share together that summer. The solution? Do it again next summer!

The story is designed to pick up on the physical aspects of closeness, and use those to convey a connection to emotional closeness. For people who are kinesthetically oriented, this story will be gripping and realistic. For people who are visual, the story's illustrations will provide happy connections and experiences. For those who are auditory, the sound of breathing is described to extend the senses in that direction.

The story's strength is in drawing on happy memories of having been in the middle of such family visits. For children without such experiences, the book will seem abstract and disconnected. I suggest telling a story about experiences in your family that are like the one here. That will help your child make the connection to the themes expressed here.

Perhaps the best way to enjoy the story is to act out the physical actions and sounds with your child. You can take turns being one or the other part of the family.

Does your family have opportunities for extended closeness with relataives? If you don't, hopefully this book will cause you to consider making that happen. That will be one of the finest inheritances you can provide your children, a connection to deep wells of extended family love and acceptance.

Hug your family whenever you can!

This children's book is a joyous and hilarious visit by a very large family to relatives in another State. Although everything gets very hectic, when the relatives finally leave, everyone seems to miss the visitors right away and already are looking forward to the next visit. I think that every family can relate to this story. The book was illustrated by Stephen Gammell and it was a 1986 Caldecott Honor book (that is, a runner-up to the Medal winner) for best illustrations in a book for children.

My favorite part of the story is when they traveled and they saw strange houses and bigger mountains. This part reminds me of when I was traveling to my cousin's house. I saw a baseball field and townhouse. It was beautiful too.