Willow loves the woods near her house. They're calm and quiet, so different from her own turbulent emotions, which she keeps locked away. When her emotions get the better of her one day, she decides to run away into the woods. There, she meets Pilu, a lost tree spirit who can't find her way back home — which turns out to be the magnolia grove Willow's mom used to take her to. Willow offers to help Pilu, and the two quickly become friends.
But the journey is long, and Pilu isn't sure she's ready to return home yet — which infuriates Willow, who's determined to make up for her own mistakes by getting Pilu back safely. As a storm rages and Willow's emotions bubble to the surface, they suddenly take on a physical form, putting both girls in danger — and forcing Willow to confront her inner feelings once and for all. This emotionally rich graphic novel includes blank journal pages in the back to encourage readers to keep their own notes about nature and their feelings.
"Struggling after her mother’s death, Willow cannot find the peace that she needs. Her sister is acting like a parent, and the kids at school tease her for showing her raw emotions.... Effectively navigating grief, anger, and their place in the world, the characters in this debut show without didacticism how to engage with tough emotions." — Publishers Weekly
Recommended Age | 9 - 12 |
---|---|
Author | Mai K. Nguyen |
Illustrator | Mai K. Nguyen |
ISBN | 1620105519 |
Publication Date | Apr 16, 2019 |
Publisher | Oni Press |
Language | English |