Rune

After fleeing from bullies at their orphanage in Little Valley, besties Chiri and Dai stumble through a portal to Puddin, a land filled with strange beings, magical objects, and a pervasive fear of the Shadow King. Upon befriending druid Sophie and Oko the Ogroid, Dai trains with Oko to become a swordsman while Chiri--who wears a hearing aid--realizes that her sign language skills double as wizard speech. As the tweens practice their new talents, the Shadow King prepares to escape Puddin, where he plans to wreak havoc in Little Valley and beyond. Spanish artist Sánchez utilizes vibrant primary colors and softly rounded Adventure Time--style artwork that features a kaleidoscope of oddities to evoke Alice in Wonderland vibes. The best friends' sign language conversations are rendered in prominent yellow and blue speech bubbles, and Chiri's way of expressing herself proves integral to the protagonists' adventure. Nuanced explorations of friendship, resilience, and the discovery of one's potential in the face of adversity add emotional depth to this sweet and charming fantasy graphic novel series opener. Chiri has red hair and pale skin; Dai wears glasses and has brown skin. Ages 8--up. (June)