This is a really cute, unique graphic novel. The author has created an entire world, with its own folklore included. As with most middle grades, there are overarching lessons, including to not judge a book by its cover and to appreciate history. Definitely recommended for those who enjoy cozy fantasy and MG.

I received an advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
For twelve-year-old Nell, living in Gumbling has always meant home and family. With her faerie friend, Myra, and her small-sized friend Gil, Nell enjoys art and comics. But when she's apprenticed to the lore keeper, Nell is disappointed she didn't get her first choice. Then some strangers visit Gumbling, saying they are the descendants of the magical town. So, it's up to Nell and friends to find the lost key of Gumbling in time before it's too late. And can Nell connect to lore-keeping by the end of her story?
This graphic novel was lots of fun! Written in a diary-like format and a graphic novel way, it was a fresh take on comics. I adored the friendships of Nell, even her archnemesis too. Her drawings are cute, and her relationship with Mrs. Birdneck is endearing. Nell grew up in character and matured along the way. The mystery behind the lost key and the scavenger hunt was fascinating. Another hit by Emma Steinkellner.

I took me a moment to situate myself in the world of Gumbling but I enjoyed it more and more as I went along. Gumbling has fun and silly quirks that kids will love and I liked the message of community and what is of value.

This is a graphic novel / journal or diary hybrid similar in format to Wimpy Kid or Dork Diaires.
I loved how the author of this work were able to take a fairy tale land that felt pretty realistic and relatable and use it to also talk about diversity, ability, and activism.
There’s a wonderful scavenger hunt style mystery and a shift in attitude toward the importance of local history and stories for all the library and archive fans. The characters have lots of different interests politics, art, dance, etc so kids will likely find a relatable character.
I would recommend this to fans of Map Makers and the Lost Magic and Mighty Jack.

This book was magical. It’s part graphic novel, part, heavily illustrated middle grade fantasy. Knell lives on a star farm. Her best friend is a fairy, her second-best friend is a thumbkin, and the school know it all is a centaur. They were all getting ready to start new apprenticeships. Nell wants to be an artist however, her teacher assigned her to work with the Lore keeper. This book is expository in nature as it’s told in journal entries, and it’s very well done. The reader keeps flipping pages not only because they can feel and understand the way Nell is feeling, but you want to know what’s happening in this unique town. When some strangers come to town saying they’re descendants of the king, and they want to make this a new roller coaster loving tourist attraction, it’s up to Knell, and her friends find information and the keys to the kingdom to keep the new people out. This was a fun and loving book and I really truly hope that there is a sequel.

I really enjoyed this middle grade graphic novel about friendship, bravery, and standing up for what you believe. Variety of characters and crisp drawing. Beautiful coloring. Should have a wide appeal. I hope there will be a sequel!

This middle grades graphic novel has everything: strong old and blossoming new friendships, queer representation and diversity, magical and mystical elements, supportive adults who listen, adventure, realistic expressions of emotions, humor, solid pop culture references, anti-capitalist and anti-big corporation notions, activism, themes involving coming-of-age and identity, and so much more. Read it! You will love this whether you are Nell’s age or Yabulga’s age. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

MAH HEART!

This graphic novel is soooo good! Its set in the magical town of Gumbling, Nell and her friends receive their assigned apprenticeships. Nell is hoping to be the apprentice to a famous artist but is disappointed when she is assigned to the town archivist. Nell is unhappy and disappointed, Her friends got the apprenticeships they wanted. But things do always go as expected, two tourists come to town and they threaten to make the town a tourist location.

This book is about learning something new, changing one's perception of things and also about how even young kids play a part in activism. I can't recommend this book enough!

Thank you, NetGalley and the publishers for an eARC of this book.

To be honest, I went in thinking this was a graphic novel and was really disappointed when I saw it's a mix of prose and illustrations. It took me a while, but after I got into the story, I ended up really enjoying the structure. There is a perfect mix of illustrations and comic panels with the words of Nell's diary entries for world-building and character development. The ladder half of the book definitely has more illustrations to move the story along quickly. Emma Steinkellner's illustrations are once again brilliant with unique character designs and detailed backgrounds when needed. The characters are diverse and memorable and have relatable middle-grade-friend issues even though they live in the magical land of Gumbling. Schmitty and Schmugly were a delight.

This is a fantastic fantasy graphic novel. There is a lot of story involved and it flies well. You become immersed in a magical world that was normal everyday problems. Another hit for the author.

Very cute graphic novel, perfect for middle grades. Nell lives in a magical place that to her seems normal. Nell faces challenges early adolescents will relate to: caring for younger siblings, disappointing school assignment, and falling out with and making new friends. The artwork, world building, and characters create a fun and heartwarming story. Thank you NetGalley and Random House Children’s for the arc.

A delightful graphic novel, will be devoured by tween graphic novel lovers! The art is expressive and colorful, the panels clear and inviting, and the characters are lovable and flawed (except perhaps for the villains who are cartoonishly bad in a way that is fun and campy). Highly recommend this title for library collections!

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!

Emma Steinkellner is a treat as always, the OK witch is one of my favorites, and I absolutely love the art, the characters, and the... Just the total heart put into every page. It reminds me a lot of the Amelia's notebook series by Marissa Moss that I grew up reading, that kind of journal/notebook style is really endearing.

A treat as always!

I absolutely adored this book! The illustrations gave such life and character to the story, and the story itself was great. At it's heart, it is a story about growing up and friendships changing, just dealing with the normal struggles of a young person. But infused with magic, fairy tales, and puzzles, this book was pushed into the extraordinary category!

I don't get a ton of time to read Middle Grade, because I have to focus on YA. So when I get the chance to read Middle Grade it is usually Fantasy and a Graphic Novel. This book was both and such a great read. I already was a fan of Emma Steinkellner and the "Okay Witch" series. So I was excited to see a new book by Steinkellner. Nell's story, in the magical town of Gumbling, was so good. For a relatively short graphic novel, Steinkellner manages to create both believable and relatable characters, but also a fully fleshed out magical world. Reading the story, you become totally immersed in this magical world with very normal every day problems. The protaganist Nell, has to intern at a local job and she already knows who she wants to work with. But, instead of her dream internship she ends up in a basement working with an Archivist. (Sounds like a dream to me.) Along with having to learn to appreciate what you have and give things a chance, there is also a fun subplot concerning saving the town from developers. Will be recommending this story to my my graphic novel readers and fantasy fans. (Thanks to Labyrinth Road and Netgalley for the ARC)