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READING STYLE GUIDE

Discovered in the Dryer

6/27/2017

2 Comments

 

Lint Boy by Aileen Leijten

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Aileen Leijten has created something so original and fresh that I can't stop marveling over the wonder of Lint Boy. How in the world did she ever come up with the idea? 
A collection of lint located in the clothes dryer is fashioned by heat and motion into a tiny boy doll.  Like Pinocchio, this inanimate object becomes real. Soon a companion emerges, another mass of lint, shaped into a friendly bear, aptly named Lint Bear.
Up to this point, everything seems rosy and charming. I was expecting some simple little story about friendship and being true to oneself.
Not so.   There is evil lurking within the pages of this graphic novel. Mrs. PinchnSqueeze is a deranged old hag who has an obsessive compulsion to perform Frankenstein-esque measures on dolls.  She keeps the captured dolls in cages and practices her own form of bizarre surgery and mutilation on the once cuddly toys.  This woman is so vile that "even moths shrivel up when she looked at them." ​
She manages to locate Lint Bear within the tumbling clothes. PinchnSqueeze becomes convinced that he is alive and she commences a series of torture-like operations, certain that she can bring the doll to life.
​Lint Boy is determined to rescue his friend from the clutches of this evil woman. He sets out on his noble task with assistance from the captive dolls and battalion of lost socks. Armed with courage and a very sharp needle Lint Boy succeeds.
The book's design and page layout have a unique style that is a visual treat. There is a art nouveau feel to the text and image arrangement as well as to the individual panel shapes and ornamentation. Soft pastels fit nicely with the sweet fabric characters.
​There are just enough chilling details to make the villain truly evil. But the fanciful setting and the charming characters keep the story well within the realm of fantasy. Lint Boy is destined to enjoy a prosperous life on bookshelves everywhere. Thank you Aileen Leijten for this delightful graphic novel gem.
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Creating with Lint

Okay, I couldn't resist. Creating with lint is an entirely new craft concept for me. I consider lint as merely a fluffy amalgam of fiber that needs to be removed from the dryer. Can this really be the basis for a craft? Not one to shrink from taking on a new creative challenge, I reasoned that lint has been through a wash cycle and the heat of the dryer. It must be clean enough to work with. Let's do this!
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Here is the lint from a load of heavy white bath mats.  I think I can see Lint Boy potential here. 
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Time to raid my button box. Every time I open this tin of assorted buttons, I find treasure. 
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Now to rummage through my bag of felt scraps. I like to make my own felt and this texture seemed to fit for Lint Boy.
Viola!  Meet my version of Lint Boy (thank you white bathroom mats lint) and Lint Bear (thank you casual clothes lint). They were so fun and easy to make.  However, for a group project I would suggest forgoing lint and using old mismatched socks. They work well with the story.  Cut the clean discarded socks up and assemble your own Lint Buddies using buttons, scraps of felt, thread and a glue gun.
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Companion Books

Dolls That Will Creep You Out:  Just the right amount of horror for younger readers
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Coraline 
​by Neil Gaiman
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Coraline: Graphic Novel
by Neil Gaiman
adapted by 
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Doll Bones
​by Holly Black
2 Comments
Aileen Leijten link
7/13/2017 12:55:35 pm

Dear Barbara, I am so glad you enjoyed Lint Boy, and I LOVE that you made your version of Lint Bear and Lint boy! Your words are much appreciated. Aileen
P.S. Can I use the image of your great lint creations for my blog? I'd love to get other people inspired to be creative.

Reply
Barbara link
7/13/2017 01:06:35 pm

Hi Aileen,
Thanks for your comments. Glad that you like my little Lint Bear & Link Boy. I would be honored to have them make a guest appearance on your blog. Would you be willing to send me the link after you have posted the photo?
My Best, Barbara

Reply



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    Barbara Moon

    I like talking about books and  interesting ideas. I like thinking about how books affect my life. Not particularly interested in giving out stars or in rating books. 

    Audio Publishers Association
    2013, - present  Audies judge 
    American Library Association Book Awards and Lists 
    ​2017 YALSA Award Nominating Committee
    2016 Excellence in Nonfiction 
    2014 Margaret Edwards Award
    2012 Odyssey Awards.  
    2009, 2010, 2011 Great Graphic Novels for Teens.

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