There (Tiny Fox and Great Boar #1)

This graphic novel series opener by Kolomycka (That Night, A Monster) introduces Tiny Fox, a furry, skeptical creature with a sharp snout and an expressive set of eyes. He lives beneath an apple tree among rolling fields, where he relishes solitude and “went about his day believing he was happy.” When Great Boar appears, the fox is unsettled, leading to a rocky start: “Tiny Fox was not pleased with sharing his apples, but what could he do?” Painting loosely in leafy browns, oranges, and reds, Kolomycka gives the characters an endearing, rough-around-the-edges quality, and their surroundings a lonely, windswept look. One day, Tiny Fox returns from an outing to discover that his unwanted companion is gone. It’s a jolt; things are perhaps better when Great Boar is around, Tiny Fox realizes. An uncredited translation from the Polish maintains an understated tone that befits the story’s austerity as Great Boar returns, a blowing scarf initially passes them by, the winter food stores run out, and the duo explores far afield for food en route to spring’s return. It’s not so much what happens, but how it happens in this unvarnished friendship tale. Ages 6–up. (Mar.)