Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Pip, the sprightly, jovial tree fairy protagonist of this madcap graphic novel from Aaron (Sleep Tight, Disgusting Blob), doesn't give two hoots about the complex social machinations of his fellow Garden denizens. Rather than being populated by mythical creatures with sparkly wings who embody gentle mischief and wholesome magic, the Garden's squabbling fairy citizens swear by acorn-launching catapults to shift the needle of their world's chaotic and messy politics. Pip, depicted with red hair and pale skin, prefers dancing a jig to dealing with feuding peers. Tired of a monotonous gig sorting boxes in the Root Stores, Pip jumps at the first opportunity for a break in the routine. But when a simple errand to deliver a report to a location known as "the department" goes sideways, "simpleton... nobody" Pip becomes embroiled in a whirlwind adventure that soon sees Pip stepping up to the plate in a role the fairy is hilariously ill-prepared for: hero. Painted backdrops glow with warmth, grounding the mayhem in a lived-in world while loose, expressive linework keeps the energy light and playful. Satirical plotting, keen dialogue, and slapstick comedy blends with sharp observations about power and bureaucracy throughout this comic confection, which culminates in a self-aware tale that's equal parts witty and impish. Ages 8--12. (Jan.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 3--6--A lowly fairy travels from the bottom to the top of their massive oak tree in this fantasy graphic novel. Young, green, work-averse fairy Pip has landed a job in the Root Stores, where a whole tree's worth of fairy food is set aside for the winter. When Pip discovers the stash covered in moldy mushrooms, their simple job gets a whole lot harder. Pip must carry a report up the tree's vast interior to inform the literal higher-ups that Oakhold is on the verge of crisis. But Pip is an unlikely hero, who'd rather spend time planning an epic party than saving the day. Nevertheless, Pip's reluctant route weaves through the tree's trunk and branches, and into contact with a cluster of Oakhold government functionaries, hotshot military personnel, and ultimately, the big cheeses who pull the strings and might have a hand in the food shortage. While the story starts simply, the higher Pip travels, the more Oakhold's story focuses on intricate sociopolitical absurdities. Aaron's rich, woodsy green and orange visuals are equally elaborate. Densely detailed backgrounds infer Oakhold's plentiful population, while cutaway shots of Pip's routes and the tree's organizational structure provide a fanciful frame of reference. For light fantasy fanatics, this might be just the thing--the creator is deeply immersed in the particulars of the world, inviting readers along for a wild ride. VERDICT Dense, rich, and riotously illustrated, this is a full-to-the-brim read for middle grade fantasy lovers.--Emilia Packard
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Failing up isn't just for mediocre humans; sometimes it happens to fairies, too. Pip, "a little lost fairy" with light skin and a mop of curly red hair, has a split-second attention span and a penchant for mischief. As Pip's story unfolds--told by a mostly unseen narrator--our hero stumbles from a job in the Root Stores of Oakhold, the Tree Fairies' ancient arboreal home, into an adventure that ultimately leads to a position of power within the fairy world. Along the way, Pip encounters larger-than-fairy spiders, seemingly vandalistic cult members, and hungry wildlife who are happy to snack on a fairy or two. Thankfully, Pip is helped along the way by a mishmash of fellow fairies, including green-skinned Twiglet Treekin (an Imperial Treeguard trainee) and bespectacled, brown-skinned Stickler Treekin (a rule-following bureaucrat). Fast-paced and more than a little chaotic, the story will win over readers who love broad humor and zany antics. Like the text, the illustrations are jampacked with over-the-top humor that will have kids poring over the pages to locate small details. Although Pip's mission is (eventually) successful, an unexpected surprise at the end sets things up for a sequel. Aaron's energetic art coupled with Dall'Aglio's rich color palette, which combines earthy tones with refreshing greens and luminous yellows, together bring this irreverent and lively community to life. Topsy-turvy, chaos-filled fun. (process notes, drawing instructions)(Graphic fantasy. 9-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
