PERHAPS A GIFT VOUCHER FOR MUM?: MOTHER'S DAY
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL -- Gr 5 Up -The ghost of a young girl dances at the edge of the forest. An owl known for his altruism chooses to help her regain her memories. They find a familiar cottage and a living woman inside who knows the girl's name. A vicious man demands that the woman sell him the cottage. When she refuses and he tries to assault her, the owl defends her, rousing the ire of the animal community, who have sworn to leave humans to their own devices. The longer the ghost stays in the cottage, the more she recalls her past life, including her name, but what will she do when the man returns, ready to burn the cottage to the ground? The artwork eschews traditional panels and borders in lieu of full-page artwork and well-placed text bubbles. While the story stands on its own, the art is front and center: readers will sympathize with the wide-eyed, innocent ghost the second she appears, and the owl's selflessness is reflected in his more realistic design, compared with the ominous look of his fellow animals. The eye candy of the illustrations at times overtakes the narrative, and the climactic sequences featuring the antagonistic man take on a nightmarish tone, which might startle younger readers. VERDICT At once a graphic novel and a work of fine art, this is a strong addition to comics collections.-Matisse Mozer, Los Angeles Public Library
