For this spring, can I suggest you read a graphic novel to usher in the warmer weather? It’s perfect for a spring day read and a rainy day waiting for flowers. These cozy YA graphic novels – The Baker and the Bard, Pillowtalk, and Sunhead – were on my TBR and perfect for the spring. Keep reading this blog post for my mini book reviews.
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The Baker and the Bard by Fern Haught
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 places 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 behind a trail of glowing goo. 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 soft-spoken little fey named Thistle―who are in danger of losing their home.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
The Baker and the Bard was whimsical. I loved the baking scenes and the illustration style reminded me of The Tea Dragon Society. I think that’s also a great comparison title to see if this is for you. If you love a story with fantastical creatures, queer characters, and cozy fantasy vibes pick this one up! While I was surprised by the quick resolution, I had such a fun time reading this one evening. Who doesn’t love someone who just wants to bake? Or who just thirsts for adventure?
I think The Baker and the Bard comfortably sits in cozy fantasy because it features characters who, in a traditional fantasy, might not have been chosen to be the hero. And I love that. This graphic novel also stays true to this. Find The Baker and the Bard on Goodreads, Storygraph, Amazon, Bookshop.org, & Blackwells.
Sunhead by Alex Assan
Rotem is a Sunhead, a fan of the international smash hit Sunrise series of books and films. There’s just something about the book that speaks to her. She’s obsessed with the main character, Edmund, and no one else gets it. But all that changes when she befriends Ayala, a shy classmate and avid book lover who seems to be as swept away by the romance as she is. The two become fast friends, but as their deep connection grows stronger, Rotem starts to wonder: what exactly draws her to this story?
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
I enjoyed Sunhead and the ways so much of it revolves around the love of a book. How it can unite people we never could have expected. Additionally, the differences and similarities between the comic art and the ‘real’ art was gorgeous. Who isn’t going to love a bookworm? Sunhead is very much a story about figuring out new friends and queer feels. About questioning things about us we took for granted. The ending felt very sudden and I wish we found out a bit more about the new friendships and characters.
All in all, it’s going to be perfect for readers who want to read a story about queer awakenings. To have experiences and new people in our life to make us question what, and who, we are happy with. Find Sunhead on Goodreads, Storygraph, Amazon, Bookshop.org, & Blackwells.
Pillowtalk by Stephanie Cooke and illustrated by Mel Valentine Vargas
Grace Mendes a.k.a. Cinderhella is a fierce competitor in the PFF, a pillow fight federation that’s part roller derby, part professional wrestling. But in this fresh, coming-of-age YA graphic novel, Grace needs to learn to overcome her biggest enemy: herself. For fans of Check, Please and Bloom.
When college freshman Grace Mendes reluctantly attends her first pillow fight match, she falls in love with the surprisingly gritty sport.
Despite her usually shy, introverted, and reserved nature, Grace decides to try out for the Pillow Fight Federation (PFF), a locally famous league of fighters with larger-than-life personas like Pain Eyre, Miss Fortune, and champion Kat Atonic. They may battle with pillows, but there is nothing soft about these fighters. The first and only rule to pillow fighting is that the pillow needs to be the first point of contact; after that, everything else goes.
Grace struggles with deep-seated body image issues, so she is especially shocked when she makes the competitive league and is welcomed into the fold of close knit, confident fighters. As her first official fight performing as newly crafted alter-ego/ring persona Cinderhella looms on the horizon, the real battle taking place is between Grace and her growing insecurities. What if people laugh or make fun of her? Why did she think she could pillow fight in the first place when she doesn’t look like your “typical” athlete?
Turns out, no one is laughing when Cinderhella dominates her first match in the ring. And as her alter-ego rises through the ranks of the PFF, gaining traction and online fame (and online trolls), can Grace use the spotlight to become an icon for not just others, but most importantly, for herself?
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
Pillow Talk is perfect for fans of roller derby. It’s set set in the early years of college and revolves around the new sport of pillow fighting. Throughout the graphic novel, it explores what roles we have in society specifically for Grace as she struggles with the connection in our society between fat people and the villains. Pillow Talk was action packed, grounded in sweet characters – both main and side characters – and with a great theme.
I loved how Pillow Talk was rooted in friendship and conversations regarding taking back our personas. The ways the world sees us and categorizes us and taking back our own image. All the action scenes were fantastic and even though this is a book, there was a fantastic sense of motion. Find Pillow Talk on Goodreads, Storygraph, Amazon, Bookshop.org, & Blackwells.