Prunella

Gr 2-4–Prunella is a young girl who loves plants, especially those that are carnivorous, stinky, or painful to the touch. Her parents encourage her hobby, but her classmates find Prunella and her plants unusual and off-putting. She grows up with only the company of her greenery, until she meets a small crew of like-minded botanists fascinated with her plants. The story is told through text traditionally positioned in the story panels as well as through dialogue bubbles that are incorporated into the artwork. Digital artwork is sophisticated, which further lends the book a graphic novel feel. The illustrations are lush: characters are expressive, brush strokes are bold, plants are lovingly rendered, and the color palette is pleasing. Characters of different races and physical abilities are depicted, although most body types are slender. Endpapers include expanded information about Prunella’s favorite plants, like cacti and Venus fly traps. The book has a fresh and lovely outcome: Prunella’s happiness lies not in winning over the affections of those who see her and her hobbies gross and strange; she finds contentment when she finds a community of people with similar interests.