Wildful

Firstly I mean the pictures in this book are absolutely incredible! I read this book carefully tracing every finger on each dramatic page and it just made me want to keep reading! This book is great if you want a picture book with absolutely no words. It made me really focus on everything more with no words as it created a sort of emotianal feeling between me and the pictures especially how often we get disracted sometimes with our phones and music and we forget to look up and see the real world. In this book it showed a lot of nature and that's what I loved about it! Beautiful book it illustrates, describing in detail also the fact it had no words and Kengo described it in such detail making me and some other readers understand it exceptionally. Brilliant book.

Angelo

Wetherby Prep Book Club

The book is mostly about Poppy taking her dog Pepper for a walk and spending time with Rob in the woods. My favourite part of the book is when Poppy and Rob went to Rob’s sitting spot because I felt very calm just watching the water drops and the reflection of the amazing pond. I liked the pictures a lot because it was a manga styled book which made the story natural and calm. I partiliked the last photo because I could see all the birds twitter. I really enjoyed the book because I am Japanese and I am used to reading manga typed books. I recommend this book to everyone when they want to calm down.

Tomonori

Sandroyd Bookivores

I thought that the book was pretty, and it had a calm feeling to it, although it was sad because the grandma died. Mum felt dull; she struggled to see the beauty in nature. It was her daughter who helped her to see it again.

Amelia

Inkscape Critics

This book is interesting. Firstly, let’s admire the artwork: it’s stunning. I really enjoy the details, especially the lighting, the truly capture each moment vividly and is a pleasure to see. I love the way it feels animated though it is shown in jerked movements, everything feels connected and so real. Furthermore, the lack of speech is used well. The author is clearly an amazing artist and a prolific writer. The reason of the lack of speech is because (maybe) nature is somewhat beautiful and calm, it doesn’t need human interaction and when there is human interaction, the lack of speech shows the narrators admiration. Conversely, despite all the amazing aspects of this wonderful book, it was a quick read (I read it in one sitting lol). Though I did somewhat rush the book (I do regret it :/) I feel it was fast paced which isn’t necessarily good for graphic novels or artistic books because it will end soon. And why’s this a problem? It causes a lack of attachment to characters and makes it less emotional. Yet again, this book, through sublime art, highlights a very significant and, somewhat, depressing reality of death. In the book, spoiler ahead though this won’t matter much since the book won’t be long, the grandmother does die and causes the mother’s extreme isolation, despair and detachment from reality. This point is also further intensified through the young girl starting the book on her phone and taken into the suddenness of nature. I believe this likens the unhealthy, unnecessary attachment to mobile devices to the beautiful, scenic view of nature and its soothing nature. Overall this book would be five stars, I’m sure, but only because of my, unfortunately, quick reading and shortness of this book causes less depth and emotional attachment to characters. Though, I would recommend if you don’t have a big pile of books to read BECAUSE you must take this book slowly and enjoy the journey. This is truly a great artwork and book by a prolific writer and imaginative artist.

Esa

Wetherby Prep Book Club

Plot is hard to follow as there are rarely any words

netanel

Belsize Stories

I found this book very heartfelt and inspiring. It shows the struggle after a loved one passes away. It also focuses on the journey getting better. The book is based on going outside when times are hard. It helps to explore the outdoors and the flora and fauna around you in your free time. You begin to notice more animals around your surroundings and different patterns they may make. In conclusion, the book shows that when you go outside, your worries start to fade and you feel free.

Riyanshi

Sherwood Shortlist Squad

I loved the illustrations and how they told the story. I also loved how the book was almost entirely monochrome except for a few pops of colour!

Orla

Danum Doodlers Does Books

I liked the pictures. I liked the story. I liked the title.

Dylan

Danum Doodlers Does Books

The art style is very detailed and the colours are darker with blacks and browns which makes the little bits of colour on the flowers on the front cover pop. Poppy starts like a typical teenager who is very obsessed with her phone but as the story progresses, you can see that she notices more about the world around her. Her friend Rob is more observant and looked at all of the trees and flowers and sees the beauty that some people might just view as boring. I really like the dog because she’s very funny and you notice her energy and chaos brought to life by the illustrations. The story is very touching and heartwarming, reminding you that we are surrounded by nature and beauty but we just need to be focussed enough to see it. You can hear the story telling itself to you as you look at it and despite the lack of words, you can definitely understand the story. An excellent read that I would highly recommend!

Kate

AGS Carnegies

The book is a graphic novel about a young girl called Poppy, her dog, Pepper, and her bereaved mum, who is too sad to leave the house after Poppy’s gran passed away. During a morning walk with Pepper, Poppy finds a long-lost patch of woodland in her neighbourhood that contains all sorts of plants and animals. She also befriends a young boy called Rob who she was led to by Pepper and who helps Poppy in curing her mum of her sadness. I liked the book because it’s a delightful insight into the beauty of nature, how it “soothes the heart” and of nature’s importance in our day-to-day lives. One of the things that makes the story compelling is how it is told almost entirely with pictures, which shows how you don’t need words to talk to nature. Overall, it was a beautiful story with a valuable message.

Theo

Forest Hill Library