Oh. My. Cuteness! Garlic and the Witch is maybe the most adorable graphic novel I’ve ever read! Can I please crochet these little vegetable people? The story itself is a gentle adventure, perfect for sensitive readers who don’t want anything too scary.
AUTHOR: Bree Paulsen
ILLUSTRATOR: Bree Paulsen
SERIES: none
PUBLISHER: Quill Tree Books
PUBLICATION DATE: September 6, 2022
PAGES: 160
GENRE: graphic novel, supernatural, adventure
SETTING: a witch’s home in a forest
GIVE IT TO: ES
AWARDS AND KUDOS
- SLJ starred
PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY OF GARLIC AND THE WITCH
Garlic loves spending time with Witch Agnes, Carrot, and her new friend, the Count, who has proven to be a delightful neighbor to the village of vegetable people rather than a scary vampire. But despite Agnes’s best attempts to home-brew a vegetarian blood substitute for Count, the ingredient she needs most can only be found at the Magic Market, far from the valley.
Before she knows it, with a broomstick in hand, Garlic is nervously preparing for a journey.
But Garlic is experiencing another change too—finger by finger, she appears to be turning human. Witch Agnes assures her that this is normal for her garden magic, but Garlic isn’t so sure that she’s ready for such a big change. After all, changes are scary…and what if she doesn’t want to be human after all?
THE SHORT VERSION
Absolutely adorable! Perfect for elementary.
WHAT I LIKED ABOUT GARLIC AND THE WITCH
The little vegetable people are so cute that I want to crochet them! I don’t really have that kind of crocheting skill, so maybe Kohl’s Cares will pick up this book for their plushies.
This book is great for Halloween at the elementary level. It’s got an adventure, but it’s not scary. Garlic gets lost in a dark forest, but it isn’t long before she is found again. There are no scary creatures or yellow watching eyes in the forest; it’s just a lot of dark green trees. I recommend Garlic and the Witch for sensitive readers who want an adventure or a Halloween book, but one that isn’t too scary.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
I really don’t have any major “didn’t likes” for this one. I will say that for me, the adventure is super-tame, but for a sensitive young reader, the thrill level is perfect. I would have no problem handing this to a second grader in the library.
I’d love to see more books like this from Bree Paulsen. Maybe the other vegetables can get their own story? Or we can learn the stories of Witch Agnes or the Count?
DIVERSITY
Witch Agnes is white with brown hair.
The Count is light green with dark hair and red eyes.
Garlic and the other vegetables are, well, vegetables until the very end, when Garlic and Carrot become human. At that point, Garlic is white with light yellow braids, and Carrot has orange skin with with orange-brown dredlocks.
ARTWORK/ILLUSTRATIONS
So cute! Lots of greens, oranges, and browns. Perfect for fall or Halloween.
THEMES
- vegetables, personification, witches, vampires, growing up, friendship, courage
LIBRARIANS WILL WANT TO KNOW
- Would adults like this book? I think many adults will appreciate the adorable illustrations, but this is definitely an elementary book.
- Would I buy this for my high school library? NO – it’s way too young
- Would I buy this for my middle school library? YES – It’s a super-cute clean read, and I think some 6th graders will love it.
- Would I buy this for my elementary school library? YES – no reservations for elementary
MATURE CONTENT
- Language: none
- Sexuality: none
- Violence: none
- Drugs/Alcohol: none
- Other: There is one witch and one vampire character. Both are friendly and helpful.
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