Garlic wakes one morning to a terrible shock. Her fingers have changed overnight. They even look almost… human?

She tells her friend Carrot, and they joke about her changing. Garlic knows they aren’t being mean, but she desperately needs some help on the matter. Carrot tells her that Witch Agnes has been really busy lately, and Garlic doesn’t want to interrupt her. She decides to see her vampire friend Count instead.

He is very helpful, talking things through and suggests that change is sometimes scary, but can be exciting at the same time. They decide to visit Witch Agnes together, and Garlic knows she’s lucky to have such a good friend.

What Witch Agnes tells Garlic surprises her greatly, but her worries are soon pushed aside by new ones. Both Count and Garlic are to go on a journey together to a special market. Count can fly as a bat, but how will Garlic travel so far? Witch Agnes has a solution, and again Garlic is worried about change in her life. But with Count by her side, she discovers a new strength within and a new life for herself and her friends ahead.

I loved this companion graphic novel as much as the first (see below). You do not have to read the first in this duology to enjoy this episode as the first chapter shows the reader what they need to know to understand the following story.

If you have been lucky enough to read the first, then Garlic & the Witch will have more meaning.

Again – I have never read a book with vegetables as main characters, but Garlic & the Witch shows them coming into being. A non-binary Carrot is also a lovely aspect, as is what Garlic learns about herself and her inner capabilities and courage.

The illustration design is in muted colours and the text clear. I really enjoyed the frames with no text, as these were so clear in meaning and emotion, and I could almost hear and feel what was happening in them.

Well worth a read and perfect for young readers with change in their lives as they grow.

Author / Illustrator – Bree Paulsen

Age – 8+

Graphic Novel

Read a review for the first in this series. (Click on the Cover)

(2023, Harper Collins, Duology, Series, Vegetables, Vampire, Garden, Magic, Witch, Market, Journey, Inner Strength, Confidence in yourself, Non-binary, LGBTQ+, Friendship, Graphic Novel, Forest)