By Fern Haught, Pub Date 3/5/2024
4.5*s. Best enjoyed when you need a quick visual cozy fantasy.
Publisher’s Synopsis:
“Juniper and Hadley have a good thing going in Larkspur, spending their respective days apprenticing at a little bakery and performing at the local inn. But when a stranger makes an unusual order at the bakery, the two friends (and Hadley’s pet snake, Fern) set out on a journey to forage the magical mushrooms needed to make the requested galette pastries.
Along the way, Juniper and Hadley stumble across a mystery too compelling to ignore: Something has been coming out of the woods at night and eating the local farmers’ crops, leaving only a trail of glowy goo behind. Intent on finally going on an adventure that could fuel their bardic craft, Hadley tows Juniper into the woods to investigate.
What started as a simple errand to pick mushrooms soon turns into a thrilling quest to save some furry new friends—and their caretaker, a softspoken little fey named Thistle—who are in danger of losing their home.”
REVIEW:
This story was super cute. Fairies, bakeries, a little bit of love? This seems to be the time for cozy fantasy, and this graphic novel totally fits the bill.
The soft pink and green illustrations and characters learning to be happy with who they are that are also willing to accept love and help those who are unlike them in small but profound ways. The friendships and self-acceptance were depicted in such easy and wonderful ways that I almost didn’t want it to end.
This graphic novel is so beautiful and happy and I plan to revisit it when I need a pick me up. It is definitely a book to pick up when you want someone soft and light and still full of magic and low stakes adventure.
Thank you to Netgalley and publisher, MacMillan Children’s, for the advanced copy in exchange for this fair and honest review.
Always Lost in Words 