At first glance, Spiral-Bound looks like a child’s spiral notebook, complete with cute sketches of animals and an abstract, scary-looking monster etched into the well-worn cover. Inside, cartoonlike drawings are framed by the ruled lines of the notebook. The visual and sensual aspects of the notebook urge the reader on into a story that starts simply but grows increasingly complex. Stucky the Hound invites his shy classmate Turnip the Elephant to art camp after seeing one of Turnip’s portraits rendered out of the makings of lunch. At camp they are joined by many other animal kids geared for a summer of art, music, writing, and rock-and-roll. But if rumors are true, a mysterious pond monster might prevent the artists from showing their work. The art teacher, Ms. Scrimshaw (a whale), must be protected from fearful adults who think she is the real problem, and important sculpture projects must be completed in the face of major self-doubt and destruction. Ana the rabbit is an intrepid cub reporter at the camp’s underground newspaper (which really is under ground). With her bird friend Emily, a photographer, she tries to collect evidence of the monster and exonerate Ms. Scrimshaw. Aaron Renier has created an intense, suspenseful yet child-friendly mystery that is full of twists and turns that mirror those in the tunnels that Ana and Emily navigate in their search for evidence (the tunnel map on the endpapers is a terrific visual element). (Ages 8–15)

Winner of the Eisner Award for Talent Deserving Wider Recognition. "Top Shelf has a real winner with Aaron Renier's delightful, action-packed graphic novel for all ages. Innocence and naivet_ dominate the character traits of the cast of cute, anthropomorphic characters while the meaning of friendship and loyalty is explored. The fast-paced tale unfolds through detailed illustrations on pages meant to resemble lined, spiral notebook paper, hence the title. The main characters are Turnip, an insecure little elephant; Stucky, a confident, friendly hound; Ana, an aspiring, investigative bunny reporter; and Emily, the clever little bird photographer experiencing self-discovery. They tap into their own creativity and resourcefulness, but they also learn of the destructive power of too much ambition. Spiral-Bound is entertaining without being didactic and is highly recommended for all youth graphic novel collections within public and school libraries. Even adult readers will identify with the angst experienced by the loveable characters and celebrate the happy resolution of the mystery."-- Jeannine Wiese, Ingram Library Services "Brilliant! Aaron Renier has created a playfully mysterious universe, complete with its own dreamlike logic. It's a delightfully inventive treasure."-- Dav Pilkey, Author of Captain Underpants "Aaron Renier's Spiral-Bound is exactly the sort of novel I have been looking for when the weather outside is glum and I want to spend the afternoon on my couch with Nico on the stereo and a pot of toasted rice tea simmering on the end table. If you want anything more from a graphic novel than a noble elephant, a shadowy mystery, an intrepid bird, an underwater monster, an impeccable rabbit, an underground tram, a devoted dog, an aquatic sculptor, a corrupt mayor, a maze of secrets, a secret maze and not one but two performances by my new favorite musical ensemble Kodiak & Calico, you should be ashamed of yourself."-- Lemony Snicket "Spiral-Bound is a lush magical landscape. It rekindles the quintessential childhood experience -- of exploring a mysterious new neighborhood street, or cozying up in a favorite tree-fort or secret hangout -- and revels in the details. It reminds us of the joy of discovery, and of finding oneself."-- Craig Thompson, Creator of Blankets "Has another graphic novelist sprung fully armed from the head of Zeus? It sure seems that way. Aaron Renier's first graphic novel reminds me of Homer Price, The Mad Scientist Club books, Harriet The Spy, and the books of Daniel Pinkwater. Like them, Spiral-Bound stars young heroes in a vividly imagined setting. Estabrook is a city where hopes pan out, goodness is rewarded, and where there are many opportunities for art, adventure, comedy, and uncovering dark secrets...that aren't too dark, and, in fact, end up being a blast. All this is executed with a visual sense of wonder and fun that's reminiscent of Lewis Trondheim and Joann Sfar. A great debut!"-- Chris Duffy, Nickelodeon Magazine Senior Editor "Aaron's great drawings and strong story is just what this world needs. Especially now, because I have kids and I'd rather move to an igloo at the North Pole than raise them in a world without good comic books."-- Tony Millionaire, Author of Sock Monkey "Renier has created an intense, suspenseful yet child-friendly mystery that is full of twists and turns ... if readers aren't too careful, they might find themselves pondering some of life's deepest questions along with the pleasure of the story."-- Cooperative Children's Book Center With an ensemble cast straight from a box of Animal Crackers, this delightful tale of ambition, morality, and self-discovery is the first major work by extraordinary newcomer Aaron Renier. Drawn in a decidedly beautiful fashion, reminiscent of Richard Scarry and Lewis Trondheim, Renier has given us a fully-realized and compellingly adventurous narrative, at once both achingly naive and profoundly worldly. This tightly crafted graphic novel is the real deal, and will charm your socks off. A remarkable debut.