'Guinea Pig, Pet Shop Private Eye, Book 1: Hamster and Cheese,' the first book by Colleen A F Venable '02, is the first installment in a planned series of six graphic novels for children. Published by Graphic Universe in 2010, it stars a crotchety guinea pig named Sasspants and a hyperactive hamster named Hamisher, who pushes the bookish pig into crime-solving when the “g” falls off Sasspants's pet shop sign, transforming “GUINEA PIG” to “GUINEA PI.” The art is by Stephanie Yue. “Venable's story succeeds because of unique characters, a creative setting, and sharp humor,” says School Library Journal. A double major in studio art and English at Wagner who wrote and produced her own play for her senior thesis, Venable designs books for First Second Books, another graphic novel publisher. Her next project will be a longer teen graphic novel, slated for publication by First Second Books. Learn more about Venable at www.colleenaf.com.
