Unfairies

Pip, the sprightly, jovial tree fairy protagonist of this madcap graphic novel from Aaron (Sleep Tight, Disgusting Blob), doesn’t give two hoots about the complex social machinations of his fellow Garden denizens. Rather than being populated by mythical creatures with sparkly wings who embody gentle mischief and wholesome magic, the Garden’s squabbling fairy citizens swear by acorn-launching catapults to shift the needle of their world’s chaotic and messy politics. Pip, depicted with red hair and pale skin, prefers dancing a jig to dealing with feuding peers. Tired of a monotonous gig sorting boxes in the Root Stores, Pip jumps at the first opportunity for a break in the routine. But when a simple errand to deliver a report to a location known as “the department” goes sideways, “simpleton... nobody” Pip becomes embroiled in a whirlwind adventure that soon sees Pip stepping up to the plate in a role the fairy is hilariously ill-prepared for: hero. Painted backdrops glow with warmth, grounding the mayhem in a lived-in world while loose, expressive linework keeps the energy light and playful. Satirical plotting, keen dialogue, and slapstick comedy blends with sharp observations about power and bureaucracy throughout this comic confection, which culminates in a self-aware tale that’s equal parts witty and impish. Ages 8–12. (Jan.)