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YOUNGER FICTION
Sharp, Sid

Bog Myrtle

144 pp. | Annick | October, 2024 | Trade ISBN 9781773218922 $19.99 | Ebook ISBN 9781773218946 $14.99
(2) 1-3 An unconventional graphic novel for the budding young activist with a sense of humor. Sunny Beatrice lives with her selfish, scowling sister, Magnolia. On a well-intentioned errand, Beatrice takes a few treasures from the forest, incurring the wrath of the spiderlike creature Bog Myrtle. With a bit of reasonable conversation, that wrath turns to friendship ("I thought she was going to eat me, but it turns out she's just really into sustainability") and leads to a magic silk sweater for Magnolia...and then to a magic-sweater factory under Magnolia's draconian direction. Beatrice is a heroine to root for, pure of heart in a way that only works in fairy tales, while the deadpan delivery ("Beatrice was very resourceful and good at making crafts, and Magnolia was excellent at telling Beatrice what to do") adds plenty of humor and makes it clear the story shouldn't be taken too seriously. The illustrations in an earth-toned palette, made with "pencil, gouache, watercolor, ink, beet juice, and dirt," are painterly and only sometimes use panels, granting a picture book-like accessibility to this tale of environmental issues, labor rights, terrible sisters, and unexpected friendship.
Reviewer: Shoshana Flax | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2025

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