Pebble and Wren

At his parents’ insistence, Pebble—a mustard-colored, shape-shifting creature with two horns—reluctantly embarks on a rite of passage for young monsters, leaving his cozy cave home and venturing into the nearby human town to unlock his innate monster skills in a series of episodic tales. His search for a host family is met with lawn signs spurning monster visitors, until he encounters the home where snappish Wren lives with Dad and Papa, who declare “monsters welcome.” But Pebble is hesitant to grow into his ghoulishness, and he’s lonely in his temporary abode beneath Wren’s bed. In a show of compassion, Wren joins him there, cementing their newfound friendship. As their adventures unfold, Wren regales her beastly companion with stories of the human world; Pebble, meanwhile, tutors Wren on important monster matters. The slice-of-life narratives often run into each other without clear delineation, resulting in inconsistent, sometimes confusing plotting, but Wren and Pebble’s developing friendship lends a stabilizing through line. Based on a webcomic, Hallbeck’s hijinks-filled graphic novel, rendered using bold outlines and richly colored illustrations, is filled with humor and sweet gestures of connection alike. Wren and Papa are depicted with pale skin; Dad cues as Black. Ages 8–12. (Apr.)