Paper Me

Why does Grayson feel like he’s made out of paper at school? This sensitive story with sweet illustrations—and a nod to creative expression—will speak to any child who feels out of place on school days.

From author-illustrator Polly Dunbar comes a touching picture book with appeal for young readers who struggle with expressing strong emotions. On school days, Grayson is “paper me” when he feels flat and flimsy and prone to blowing away. School can be a bit much, and though he tries to sit nicely like the other kids, he sometimes ends up folding himself up super small and just hoping school will go away. When his teacher invites him to draw, Grayson draws a big, brave smile on his face and keeps it frozen there all day, until his classmate Francesca teases him about it and he starts to crumple. But the next day, Grayson notices that Francesca is made of paper, too—and sees an opportunity for them both to feel better when their teacher hands out drawing pens again. Inspired by her own family experiences, Polly Dunbar takes on a child’s difficult emotions with empathy and gentle humor in this universal story of family, belonging, and unexpected friendship.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs