Nell lives in the fairytale town of Gumbling, where her best friends are a 2 inch tall Thumbkin named Gil and a Fairy activist named Myra. But this year Nell has to apprentice with the scary town archivist and she starts to drift apart from her friends. Meanwhile the town has troubles of its own when two snooty siblings turn up, claiming to be descendants of a long dead king. Can Nell get her friends back or are they too busy trying to save the town? This is a hybrid graphic novel and chapter book by the author/illustrator of The Okay Witch. Nell of Gumbling has charm and some real world issues in a fairytale setting. Great for reluctant readers aged 8+." - Clare
Silly space shenanigans with Billie Blaster, accidental builder of a billion bots, her arch nemesis Tiny Hector Glum and her best friend Lucy, the talking goat. The only thing you might learn from this story is to always build a bathroom into a spaceship." - Clare
A super cool kid's coffee table book which takes 33 whimsical illustrations of impossible buildings and imagines stories around their mysterious and magical residents. Flip through this book and I promise you will want to take it home. Great for a Studio Ghibli fan, or a future architect/set designer/animator." - Clare
There are a lot of graphic memoirs for kids, but this is one of the best I've ever read. The story follows Pedro and his eight siblings driving with their parents to Mexico to go and pick up his grandfather to come live with them in the US. Readers will get to explore the crazy dynamics between Pedro and his siblings especially as he tries to understand more about who he is, inside and outside his family. Raina Telgemeier fans will LOVE this book." - Clare
Julianna and her family are displaced from their home in rural Oregon after a forest fire takes their home. But not only does Julianna need to grieve and adjust to her new life, she also thinks she knows how the fire started. This heartfelt story of turning anger into action will speak to a lot of young people and give them hope." - Clare
Hooky is THE graphic novel series of 2023 at Mr. Mopps', and this is the final installment of the witchy, Wednesday-esque epic tale. It's good versus evil, but can Dani and Dorian work together to save their world?" - Clare
This is not a drill, there is a SECOND book in the First Cat in Space series! Just as kooky as the first book, now with added Moon Queen drama and extra LOZ4000 robot content. For all the kids and grown-ups who love to laugh when they read. For ages 5-555." - Clare
When a group of girls comes together to expose the corrupt ruler of their city, they know how dangerous it could be. But with truth, the power of friendship and a lot of hard work, justice will be done. The detail in the illustrations and multiple maps, bring the fictional Renaissance city to life and transports the reader back through time. Meanwhile the underlying message to use your voice to protect what's important to you is one that will resonate with young activists, journalists and all strong girls." - Clare
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Set in San Francisco and by a local author/illustrator this is a really cool graphic novel about a boba cafe that has a surprising secret. For kids who love mystery (and boba)." - Clare
Two sisters can't help winding one another up, can they solve all their problems with a public duel? This is a great look at sibling rivalry under pressure, with lots of details about fencing and a heartfelt message about grief. For scheming sisters and sports fans aged 8+." - Clare
In the depths of the forest is a mansion filled with cute and friendly monsters. Most of them are happy to stay out of the way of humans, but one particular monster really wants to explore the outside world. One day, she gets her chance, but nothing is the way she thought it would be. Friendly monster illustration lifts this story about family, belonging and what it means to embrace something (or someone) you fear." - Clare
New Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales, this time about American fighter pilots in France in World War 1. An amazing level of detail as always in these historical graphic novels." - Clare
Bea Wolf takes the basic story of the ancient poem Beowulf and reimagines it as the story of Halloween candy snatching elementary schooler and her ragtag band of misfit friends. I think this is the coolest graphic novel of the year. For grown-ups who love the classics AND kids who love mayhem. Read it aloud for extra mythic storytelling brilliance." - Clare
One for the younger Hilda fans. A lovely way to revisit all your favorite characters, creatures, settings and scenes from the books and the show." - Clare