This stunning American solo debut by a mono-named Norwegian creates a cartoony, magic-realist world of animal-headed people who live much like we do, except they might use stilts the way we use cars. Amidst a happy spring of comicbooks and kite-flying, young Jon suffers a tragedy that turns him into an instant adult — careworn and guilt-ridden. Both sad and funny, the book becomes a meditation on how events shape our lives and how complicit we are in letting them do so. full review
Animated actors dominated the box office, Barry Bonds hit 73 and 'It' turned out to be a scooter. TIME picks the bests and the worsts of this year...