ISSUE #28: The Adventures of Tintin
Andrew and I love to inspire a sense of adventure and exploring new places with our children. One way we have accomplished this is through the joy of reading. There is often no better way to be transported to a new place than through the pages of good book. Today there are a so many wonderful stories of global journeys for kids of all ages. One of our recent favorites is The Adventures of Tintin.
The Adventures of Tintin by Belgian cartoonist Hergé is a comic series that takes kids on adventures from Egypt, the Congo, Tibet and even the moon. The series was one of the most popular European comics of the 20th century and has been adapted for radio, television, theatre, and film. These full-color graphic novels broke new ground when they were first released and became the inspiration for countless modern-day comic artists.
The hero of the series is Tintin, a courageous young Belgian reporter and adventurer aided by his faithful dog Snowy. Other characters include the brash and cynical Captain Haddock, the intelligent but hearing-impaired Professor Calculus, incompetent detectives Thomson and Thompson and the opera diva Bianca Castafiore.
The plot lines of each book combine action, adventure and mystery and teach kids about politics, history, and technology, with doses of humor and slapstick comedy. They have proven to be a fun way for our kids to understand how visiting new places can create memorable adventures and a greater understanding of different cultures.
– Courtney Browne
