Garlic and the Vampire

July 12, 2021
Enchanted to help Witch Agnes in her garden, anxious garlic bulb Garlic and her best friend Carrot live in a fruit- and vegetable-populated hamlet at the edge of a forest. When Agnes, who appears white, discovers that a gray-skinned vampire has taken up residence in a nearby castle, mean-spirited Celery nominates vampire-repellent Garlic to deal with the menace and “protect the folks in town.” Garlic sets off with encouragement from Agnes, who insists that Celery accompany her. Debut graphic novelist Paulsen lingers visually on dew-covered cabbages, wonderfully squat produce homes, and other horticultural and domestic delights. Her warm, autumnal palette and attention to shape and contour add to the appeal of the pastoral setting, and comic overreaction brings a cartoon sensibility to the characters’ plight. Garlic’s love of gardening provides ample metaphors for inner growth, the dedication to “all the anxious bulbs” makes clear Paulsen’s sympathy with worried Garlic’s struggles (mostly fear of judgment and of others’ perceptions), and Garlic’s bravery under duress serves to remind readers of their own strength. Ages 8–12. (Sept.)■

Starred review from November 1, 2021
In this silly-spooky graphic novel for readers just venturing into middle-grade books, anthropomorphic veggie and fruit folk, having been brought to life by Witch Agnes, run a farm and sell (non-anthropomorphic) crops at a village market. Readers quickly learn the characters' personalities: Garlic, anxious and stressed out, is tenderly cared for by Carrot and resists invitations to step out of her comfort zone. "Nope, no adventures for me. I love gardening. It's nice and safe." When smoke starts coming out of what was assumed to be a vacant castle's chimney, Witch Agnes confirms everyone's suspicions: there is a vampire living there. Given her kind's vampire-resisting status, Garlic is volunteered (not by choice) to investigate the situation. Coached by Witch Agnes on all things vampire-hunting, and paired with curmudgeonly Celery, Garlic embarks on a not-at-all-scary adventure with a satisfying resolution. Both art and text are well paced, and humor abounds. Fashionable farm attire (think overalls and aprons) and apt slang phrases such as "Oh grapes" and "Cheese 'n' chives!" contribute to successful world-building. Speech balloons in various colors and shapes showcase characters' emotions and tones of voice, and bright motion lines pop atop dark autumnal hues and thick outlines. Especially notable is the cartoonist's playful exploration of scale and perspective -- as well as the story's lighthearted approach to risk-taking, caretaking, and social-emotional growth. Elisa Gall

(Copyright 2021 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

November 1, 2021
In this silly-spooky graphic novel for readers just venturing into middle-grade books, anthropomorphic veggie and fruit folk, having been brought to life by Witch Agnes, run a farm and sell (non-anthropomorphic) crops at a village market. Readers quickly learn the characters' personalities: Garlic, anxious and stressed out, is tenderly cared for by Carrot and resists invitations to step out of her comfort zone. "Nope, no adventures for me. I love gardening. It's nice and safe." When smoke starts coming out of what was assumed to be a vacant castle's chimney, Witch Agnes confirms everyone's suspicions: there is a vampire living there. Given her kind's vampire-resisting status, Garlic is volunteered (not by choice) to investigate the situation. Coached by Witch Agnes on all things vampire-hunting, and paired with curmudgeonly Celery, Garlic embarks on a not-at-all-scary adventure with a satisfying resolution. Both art and text are well paced, and humor abounds. Fashionable farm attire (think overalls and aprons) and apt slang phrases such as "Oh grapes" and "Cheese 'n' chives!" contribute to successful world-building. Speech balloons in various colors and shapes showcase characters' emotions and tones of voice, and bright motion lines pop atop dark autumnal hues and thick outlines. Especially notable is the cartoonist's playful exploration of scale and perspective -- as well as the story's lighthearted approach to risk-taking, caretaking, and social-emotional growth. Elisa Gall

(Copyright 2021 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

July 1, 2021
In this silly-spooky graphic novel for readers just venturing into middle-grade books, anthropomorphic veggie and fruit folk, having been brought to life by Witch Agnes, run a farm and sell (non-anthropomorphic) crops at a village market. Readers quickly learn the characters' personalities: Garlic, anxious and stressed out, is tenderly cared for by Carrot and resists invitations to step out of her comfort zone. "Nope, no adventures for me. I love gardening. It's nice and safe." When smoke starts coming out of what was assumed to be a vacant castle's chimney, Witch Agnes confirms everyone's suspicions: there is a vampire living there. Given her kind's vampire-resisting status, Garlic is volunteered (not by choice) to investigate the situation. Coached by Witch Agnes on all things vampire-hunting, and paired with curmudgeonly Celery, Garlic embarks on a not-at-all-scary adventure with a satisfying resolution. Both art and text are well paced, and humor abounds. Fashionable farm attire (think overalls and aprons) and apt slang phrases such as "Oh grapes" and "Cheese 'n' chives!" contribute to successful world-building. Speech balloons in various colors and shapes showcase characters' emotions and tones of voice, and bright motion lines pop atop dark autumnal hues and thick outlines. Especially notable is the cartoonist's playful exploration of scale and perspective -- as well as the story's lighthearted approach to risk-taking, caretaking, and social-emotional growth.

(Copyright 2021 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)