May’s Wild Walk

French comics creator Miss Paty introduces a trio of very different siblings in this jaunty first entry in the Whiskers Sisters series. The three receive a letter as they wait for their grandfather, the Guardian of the Forest, to return from a long trip. The two older children—Maya, a girl with pink hair and antlers, and Mia, a black cat who is clearly the sister in charge—excitedly read the letter, neglecting to share its contents with (human) toddler May, who can’t read yet. Maya and Mia immediately begin planning a party (like May, readers don’t immediately learn what the letter says), and May climbs inside Mrs. Owl’s mailbag. As they soar over the forest, the bag snaps, dropping May and 348 fluttering letters into the woods; May joins forces with various animals, who understand her babbling perfectly, to locate the letters. There’s a surreal edge to the illustrations (all three siblings have hauntingly large eyes) that fits the unusual nature of their world, and the story’s cartoony innocence and happy ending make this a fine, quirky starter comic for readers moving out of picture books. Ages 5–9. (Oct.)