Don Wood: Taking Us Into the Volcano
By Zack Smith
Ever wonder what it would be like to venture inside a volcano? Don Wood has done more than just wonder. He’s done it many times…and created an all-ages graphic novel about it.
Into the Volcano, released through Scholastic, is the story of Duffy and Sumo, two young brothers who are mysteriously sent on a trip to their relatives’ in Kocalaha, Hawaii. Once there, they learn about the native culture while becoming involved in an increasingly dangerous adventure.
The book marks the first foray into graphic novels for Wood, a Caldecott Honor illustrator of many children’s books. And for him, getting into graphic novels represents the fulfillment of a life-long dream. We called Wood up at his home in Hawaii – under some pretty exotic circumstances, as you’ll later find out – to chat about his love of comics…and volcanoes.
