Things in the Basement by Ben Hatke is a children's graphic novel currently scheduled for release on August 29 2023. It was supposed to just be a normal basement—some storage boxes, dust, you know, the usual basement stuff. But when Milo is sent by his mother to fetch a sock from the basement of the historic home they've moved into, Milo finds a door in the back that he's never seen before. Turns out that the basement of his house is enormous. In fact, there is a whole world down there. As Milo travels ever deeper into the Basement World, he meets the many Things that live in the shadows and gloom...and he learns that to face his fears he must approach even the strangest creatures with kindness.

Things in the Basement is a beautifully drawn graphic novel and imaginative story that kept me guessing what twist might happen next. I loved the idea of Milo exploring his new home, and a mission from his mom made it even more engaging. It took me awhile to get into the swing of the amount of imagination explored here- because the adventure starts of with things that totally could be real. I loved how things slowly got stranger and more intense. Milo's journey covers the idea of courage and bravery, but also friendship and kindness. Hatke and his art style just added extra layers of goodness to this book and I think it will become another favorite for fans of the author.

Things in the Basement is a wonderful graphic novel that will spark the imagination of many, and make some readers remember days when we more easily explored like Milo.

Creepy, but still an amazing story for kids. I can't wait to get this one into my middle school library. It's going to fly off the shelves!

Cute, minimal words. For a kid just old enough to follow a story but not one scared of monsters or the dark. His other graphic novels are really cute kids adventures too!

My students love the Mighty Jack and Zita the Spacegirl series from Ben Hatke, but this is the first book of his I've read. I will absolutely be going back and reading more because I loved Things in the Basement. The illustrations were gorgeous and so beautifully communicated the movement and tone of the story. The plot itself revolves around the rather straightforward mission of locating a missing sock, but Milo's journey through the labyrinthine spaces beneath his basement takes him on a personal journey to confront his fears and find the truth about the things in the basement. Highly recommended.

Ben Hatke does it again! A delightful graphic novel that follows a boy searching for his baby sister's stolen sock, it has creative creatures, mysterious locations, and a fun, exciting pace.

Things in the Basement by Hatke stands out as an imaginative work about a young boy named Milo who was sent on a "quest" to locate his sibling's special sock as a favor for his busy mother. The combination of narrative and illustration help to fully form a concise "picture" for readers as to the growth that Milo is having on his journey. From gaining courage, sticking by and helping friends, and battling giant blobs and hordes of rats, Milo not only finds the sock--he also finds himself.

I really appreciated this storyline, the POC representation, and the values that can be learned/taken away from the narrative. I would recommend this to many children in the library I work in.

Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher, for an e-ARC of this work.

I received a free digital ARC from First Second Books via NetGalley. Milo's mom sends him to the basement to retrieve his baby sister's sock. While nervous, he embarks on quite a journey into fantastical realms. While short on words this graphic novel is beautifully rendered and each page enormously evocative. The rooms, caves, and characters are so expressive it makes you easy glide through the story. I love the fantasy characters that Hatke always effortlessly creates and how the band together to embark on quests. Easy to read and nothing to scary for ages 6 and up. Highly recommended.

This was an adorable and imaginative and not-too-wordy story that I enjoyed diving into! Accessible to a wide range of ages with engaging and gorgeous artwork.

Thank you to First Second Books and Netgalley for providing me with a digital copy of "Things in the Basement" by Ben Hatke in exchange for an honest review.

I ADORED THIS INCREDIBLE WEIRDO OF A BOOK. My inner 10 year old is absolutely giddy right now.

Things in the Basement is the story of young Milo, sent to the basement in search of his infant sister's missing sock. When he tries to grab it, the sock is stolen by a rat creature, who whisks it away through an opening in the basement wall. Turns out, there's more than one basement, and Milo steadily makes his way deeper and deeper down, with each layer representing different eras and growing more and more magical.

I loved everything about this book. I never knew where the story was going next; just when I thought I knew what was coming, I was always wrong. It's exciting without losing a sense of contemplation. The characters are engaging and interesting; Milo's companion Chuckles is my favorite.

I loved the artwork. It was gorgeous and imaginative, with tons of fascinating details. The architecture in all the basements gives on a strong sense of history and lore, leaving me in an almost constant state of awe.

My one regret is that because I read the digital copy of my phone, I'm certain I missed details. I cannot wait to get my paws on a print copy so I can go through it, page by page. I highly recommend this for people who:
love art,
believe in magic,
don't mind ghosts,
ALWAYS lose their socks,
yearn to discover the remains of an ancient civilization, and/or
always wanted a talking skull or tentacled eyeball for a pal.

This graphic novel is awesome! It's so fun and inventive. It reminds me of a kids version of some of the levels in Witcher 3 where you go into basements or caves and it's full of wild stuff. I had a great time reading this!

I received an electronic ARC from First Second Books through NetGalley.
Milo's family has moved to a larger home. Readers see him exploring and adjusting as the book begins. Then they meet his mom and twin baby siblings. His mom sends him to the basement to find his sister's missing sock in the laundry. The artwork is stunning and his expressions clearly show what he is feeling as this journey starts and throughout the challenges. When he gets to the basement, he sees some creature carry off the baby's pink sock and finds the courage to follow. And, this is some basement. The more trap doors and secret entrances he finds, the larger this basement becomes. I appreciate the rooms dedicated to art from various time periods. These can lead to dialogue about the artwork included and connected to the story. Along this trip, he makes several friends of unusual natures. Again, great discussion points for accepting differences and seeing connections. No spoilers, but the journey is both darkly humorous and just scary enough. Readers do have to suspend reality to follow this story and it is worth it.

This is a fantastic little adventure story for young readers! The illustrations are beautiful! Recommended for all children's graphic novel collections!

Milo's little sister has lost one of her special socks, so Milo's mom sends her brave oldest child to the basement to look for it. But it seems the sock has gone the way of so many of its compatriots and disappeared. Milo discovers a peculiar set of stairs that sends him into the depths of the basement, where dangers abound, and it's easy to lose your friends as well as your way.

I love the way this story unfolds, bringing us deeper and deeper into the magical world of the basement. It teeters on the edge of possible and adds in so many delightful characters. I love the emoji speech bubbles and the way that each character is unique. I'm starting to think that I can't possibly dislike anything by Ben Hatke.

Thank you to NetGalley and First Second Books for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

This was a sweet, fun little adventure! Milo is sent to find a sock and along the way he finds more than he bargained for. I love a story that gets weirder and wilder, and this story certainly does that.

The story is fun, the art is good, this was an all-around lovely graphic novel. I ate it up in a half hour.

Amazing graphic novel.
First of all it has amazing artwork. It made me feel like a kid definitely moving into some type of mystery adventure.
How many Basements are there? It is hilarious. But with each level, we find how deeply strong we are. I loved reading this graphic novel. Read it like a parent to your child. Enjoy every frame.because the imagination keeps on extending. Weepie, a side character, is adorable!
I just reviewed Things in the Basement by Ben Hatke. #NetGalley

Secret passages with undiscovered rooms and locations will entice readers and make their imaginations soar in Ben Hatke’s Things In The Basement. The characters Milo meets along the way are interesting. Such impressive world-building in the illustrations, which are intricate and full of details to explore. I love, love, love the promise of more at the end. Students are going to keep this title in high demand and require libraries to order more copies.

Imaginative
Curiosity-inducing
Will pull you in deeper and deeper as you read

Ben Hatke's Things in the Basement reminds us of what the value of friendship is and to face our fears no matter how old you are! What an adventurous ride! The illustrations are incredible.

What a fun read!
Story follows Milo, a young boy who is sent to the basement to find his little baby sock. When arrives to the basement, it keeps getting larger and larger. Milo meets friends on the way who have also lost socks. Together they travel on a sock journey well Milo meets challenges and decisions that will test his bravery , courage, and loyalty.
This is a refreshing graphic novel with beautiful artwork that tells the story. I love the theme because everyone knows there is a true sock 🧦 monster 👺 that exists who takes many socks from household all over the world 🌎!
I enjoyed following Milo’s journey and waiting to see if he would be courageous enough to do what needed to be done or if he would just fold. I think kids will really enjoy this book, especially with the beautiful illustrations.

Ben Hatke's newest graphic novel adventures starts with a lost sock. Milo, a brown-skinned young boy, trudges off to the basement, at his mother's behest, to search for one of his baby sibling's socks that's gone missing in the basement laundry room. Before Milo can get the sock, though, a rat grabs it and runs away. Milo, following the rat, discovers a series of secret chambers, all of which lead to a subterranean fantasy world inhabited by equally fantastic denizens including a floating skull, a one-eyed tentacled creature, and a ghost. Milo will need all of his new friends to help him locate the sock and get back home. Hatke seamlessly blends fantasy and reality, using his color palette to transport readers: murky greens and browns, cool blues and purples, and the warmth of a small torch all come together to provide a breathtaking fantasy landscape. Sparsely worded, Hatke uses his illustration to weave a tale of friendship and bravery.

Milo goes on a epic adventure to rescue his baby sister’s sock after it goes missing in the wash. The side characters were charming and weird. Such a fun time.