Review by Booklist Review
Kurimoto's compelling debut graphic novel begins as a preteen girl chases her dog from a walk on an urban street through a dilapidated gate into an unknown natural world, where a mysterious boy beguiles and befriends them both. Intrigued, Poppy returns again and again to join her new friend, Rob, in a reverent shared stillness, observing myriad minute and wondrous details in this verdant space. In grief herself and finding solace in nature's wild beauty, Poppy experiences an awakening that ultimately inspires her to share it with her despondent mother, to reinvigorate her with the joy Poppy's grandmother found in the natural world. Kurimoto's deliberate pacing, as patient as the gradual opening of a single bud, invites readers to linger with each panel to take in the exquisite details of each natural detail, sensitively rendered in delicate line work washed with muted grays and blacks. This gentle, poignant story will remind readers that simply being present with nature can offer a path toward healing and an appreciation of what it is to be alive.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Staring at their phone with their headphones on, assumed teen Poppy takes their dog Pepper on a daily walk through their suburban neighborhood. When Pepper spies a fox peeking through a hole in a ramshackle fence, the pooch gives exuberant chase, causing Poppy to lose control of the leash before crashing into a hidden woodland overtaken by nature and boasting minimal signs of human activity. Pepper is quickly recovered with the help of Rob, who appears to be Poppy's age. Enlivened by the unexpected adventure, Poppy returns home, where they attempt to explain their excitement to their lethargic mother, who is mourning the loss of Poppy's maternal grandmother. Poppy and Pepper routinely meet up with Rob in the woodland, where the trio investigate deer tracks, listen to bird calls, and take in the unfurling of tree buds. Poppy's careful, meditative observation of their nature findings spills into their home life as they strive to share the magic with their mother in hopes of cheering her up. Kurimoto employs ballpoint and ink to finely render delicate, richly detailed grayscale art in this sparsely worded debut, which elegantly conveys Poppy's wide-eyed delight at each new discovery and the healing powers of connection and time spent out of doors. Ages 9--12. (Feb.) ■
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 4--7--Poppy and her canine companion discover nature in a powerful statement on slowing down and opening up. Poppy's mother has been struggling with the death of Gran--her mother and Poppy's grandmother. Befriended by Rob who is a nature-lover, Poppy and her pup spend time each day uncovering the restorative power of the outdoors, which eventually also helps Poppy's mother on her road to recovery after she relents to Poppy's request to get outside. A story of relationships and connection, there are person-to-person and person-to-nature explorations that deepen the meaning of the story, no matter how readers engage with the book. The sparse dialogue is enhanced by the well-paced panel progression throughout, which gives space for understanding how animals and nature are transforming Poppy. Without cluttering the pages, Kurimoto intentionally chooses to allow readers to engage with the story at their own pace alongside the characters. In fact, there are plenty of pages without any dialogue or narration at all, permitting readers' eyes to languidly peruse. Flora, fauna, and an occasional busted vehicle behind a gate can be found and savored within each frame. The overall effect is a quiet graphic novel with a muted palette and a loud message. VERDICT This meditative experience is a necessary addition for celebrating the outdoors and providing another avenue for SEL for all ages.--Alicia Abdul
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
In this gorgeous graphic novel with minimal text, it's an ordinary day as Poppy takes her dog, Pepper, out for a walk, all the while listening to music, scrolling mindlessly through her cell phone. Pepper, spotting a fox, breaks free and runs off into the woods, unplugging Poppy from the digital world and immersing her in the natural one. They encounter another child, who is fully engrossed in the woodland life around them. Poppy returns to the woods the next day, and the day after that. Nature walks become routine, and Poppy begins to notice the birds, plants, and sounds all around. She tells her mom -- who, in grieving her own mother's death, can't seem to get off the couch -- about her adventures when she gets home. The illustrations ("drawn in Biro, painted using inks and tweaked in Photoshop") portray nature in moody sepia tones that challenge viewers to use their imaginations to fill the pages with color. In the first chapter, the text asks: "What does the wild speak?" This question is explored throughout the story, and Kurimoto's detailed illustrations capture the essence of a walk through the woods; depictions of flora and fauna bring the sounds of the woods (including the wild "morning chorus") and movements of new buds to life, along with the layered emotions that nature can evoke. Readers are reminded that in an increasingly connected digital world, reconnecting with the natural world just outside of our doors can provide joy and healing. Gabi Kim HuescaJanuary/February 2024 p.98 (c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Encounters with the natural world help a girl and her mother grieve. With Mum inert with grief over Gran's death, Poppy passes the time taking her dog, Pepper, for walks. Unlike Poppy, who stares obliviously at her phone, the lively dog is distracted by the sights of the world around him. When Pepper suddenly chases after a fox, Poppy frantically runs after him, ending up in a forest clearing, where she encounters a boy named Rob, whose affinity with nature intrigues her. She returns again and again to the forest, where, with Rob's guidance, she learns to be still and observant, recognizing deer tracks and understanding the calls of wrens. She even starts noticing the beauty of pockets of nature in town. As Poppy experiences more of the wild (and less of her phone), she longs to show Mum the world she's discovering. Soft, sepia-toned images executed in ballpoint pen, ink paint, and Photoshop convey the shadowy feel of the forest, inviting readers to envision its quiet. The clean, regular panels, most of them wordless, often present series of scenes that unfold like the frames of a film, asking readers to closely observe details alongside Poppy and Rob. Emotional complexities are soothingly resolved, and readers will be drawn in by the appealing characters, touching narrative, and satisfying ending. Poppy and her mother are cued British Asian; Rob reads white. A gentle, poignant tale of awakening to the subtle, healing wonders of the wild. (author's note) (Graphic fiction. 9-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
