An adorable graphic novel about super anxious little Garlic who is nominated by her vegetable friends to go to the spooky castle and confront vampire. Of course, vampire isn't what he seems to be. A delightful and age appropriate tale of dealing with anxiety, learning to be brave even when you're anxious, and finding friends in unexpected places.

“Garlic and the Vampire” is a sweet little graphic novel done in a muted color palette that brings to mind an old-fashioned tale. In the story, Garlic is (naturally) chosen to investigate what might be a vampire when her vegetable friends, and the witch who made them, discover smoke coming from a nearby castle. Although Garlic is very anxious, she tackles this task for her friends. “Garlic and the Vampire” is a very short book, and not scary at all, aimed at younger readers who aren’t quite ready for full length graphic books. I left the story wanting more, and wishing there had been a more substantial conflict and resolution. Overall, a cute little book. Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC to review.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I requested this book, but I’m always looking for new graphic novels for my library that will appeal to the kids I work with. This book was funny and sweet and I enjoyed it far more than I expected. I will be adding it to my library collection for sure.

NetGalley ARC Educator 550974

What an amazing read. I was enamored with the premise and cover art but I have fallen in love with these characters. I hope Ms. Paulson writes more and the characters from this book visit her other books. A one sitting read that kids and adults will love.

It tackles bullying, overcoming fear and overcoming judgement.

This book was SO FREAKING CUTE. I loved the art and the story and think this is perfect for younger middle grade readers or upper elementary.

I absolutely adored the illustration style. Garlic is one of the most lovable characters. I totally enjoy the lighthearted delivery of the message of accepting those who are different, giving everyone a chance, and the like, but I honestly just wanted more about Garlic and her friends. Also, I need more Celery. He’s the snide jerk that we all love!

Paulsen's illustrations give the novel a raw feeling, mixed within the themes of friendship and gardening. The storyline of the vegetables and the witch is wholesome, and really drives home the major theme of the novel. Adding in the vampire, but in a new context gives a new spin on an old tale of vampires vs garlic.

What an absolutely adorable graphic novel about an anxious little garlic bulb forced to face-off with a vampire who turns out to be less than the bloodthirsty fiend she was expecting. I loved the vegetable garden brought to life by a kindly witch and the sweet illustrations. And the underlying messages about anxiety, friendship, courage, and acceptance are just the cherry on top of a perfect little graphic novel.

Garlic is really cute. The story is fun and engaging. The characters are relatable, likable, and engaging. I loved the illustrations. There was such a potential for humor and jokes in this story that just didn’t happen. Other than the lack of humor, I liked it.

A sweet, gentle story with fun art and a neat concept - I really liked the vegetable people! Readers looking for scary vampire stories will probably find it anticlimactic, but it's a great story for more sensitive readers.

It's no secret that I LOVE garlic. So when I saw this title, I knew I needed it in my life. I LOVE that there's a witch and a vampire in this story. The witch created some garden helpers - veggies which have been personified - literally. Garlic is a little sleepy head and late to market day - much to the annoyance of celery. Carrot seems to be Garlic's best friend and helps keep Garlic balanced in all things: their friendship is adorable. When Potato notices that smoke is coming from a long abandoned vampiric castle, Celery volunteers Garlic to go check it out. So Garlic embarks on an adventure to meet or not meet a vampire....
This novel is for all the gardeners out there. It's an earthy and wholesome graphic novel. The art style and color palette are a total match for contents/plot/characters.
Adorable themes of being brave when you don't feel so brave, friendship is believing in others, and don't judge books by their covers.

This was a really fun middle grade graphic novel. The art was beautiful and fit the characters very well. I wish there had been more to the third act after meeting the vampire, but overall a very cute and fun story.

My first advanced read via NetGalley! Garlic and the Vampire stars an assortment of vegetables who live and farm together happily until the day they start hearing rumors of a vampire moving in nearby. Despite being anxious and full of self-doubt, Garlic is nominated to confront the vampire. After all, she has the built-in advantage of well, being garlic. I had an idea where the story was going to go before it got there, but some of my younger students would definitely enjoy it. Bree Paulsen's art is adorable - who knew vegetables could be so expressive? - and I know lots of students who'll identify with Garlic's struggles to believe in herself even though most of her friends already do. Anxiety is something I see in students younger and younger and this would provide an opportunity to talk about it in a natural, age-appropriate way. #NetGalley #GarlicAndTheVampire

*I received a free ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*

This is really cute, but it definitely feels like the same story I've read a hundred times - timid hero(ine) faces their fears and <spoiler>finds that what they were afraid of wasn't really that bad at all. And heck, they even make a new friend.</spoiler> There's nothing wrong with it, it just didn't wow me.

I did feel that the beginning scene felt unnecessary, and that Garlic's anxiety was overdone at first and then totally dropped. <spoiler>Also I'm so confused at how a vampire can eat anything other than blood. I thought they couldn't. I know it's all fiction, but still</i>.

Nevertheless, the art is lovely and I predict some kids will be enchanted by it!

Short, sweet, and very cute, Garlic and the Vampire is a charming tale of anthropomorphic fruits and veggies, friendly witches, and learning to go beyond expectations and preconceived perceptions - both of yourself, and others. A great book for encouraging shy kids to believe in themselves!

An adorable spooky story all about courage!

Every page of this imaginative story is dripping with cuteness and is sure to bring a smile to your face, no matter your age! Following a group of fruits and veggies turned human by a friendly witch, our main character garlic is scared of everything until she is forced to go on an adventure to visit a vampire. Though I can’t say much more without spoiling it, I have never seen a story play on the witch/vampire trope is such a creative (and I’ll say it again, adorable) way. Highly recommend this cute, quick read to anyone looking to break into more graphic novels!

Very sweet little family-friendly graphic novel with some nice little morals. Beautifully illustrated (it gave me some Over the Garden Wall vibes), and I would honestly put the illustrations as the strongest element. I may seek out the authors more adult webcomic after this.

It's just a little bit undercooked overall in the sense that the message doesn't quite stick its landing. Still a lovely book.

I can only describe this graphic novels as cute. Everything from the artwork to the plot was cute. I kept thinking as I was reading it how it would be a perfect book to help kids move from picture books to small novels.

3.5 out of 5 stars

This is Bree Paulsen's debut graphic novel. It is a cozy middle grade adventure story. Garlic is always messing up. She is late and feels like everything she does is wrong. But a vampire moves into the nearby abandoned castle and Garlic is sent to confront him and make him leave.

This book is one of the most adorable books I have read. The characters are so cute, each one being sentient vegetables or herbs. It is also very witty. Garlic is picked because of her "natural defenses" and when the witch was preparing Garlic for her trip she gave her seeds to throw. It is obvious that the creator knows vampire lore and does a great job including some of the more rare things like vampire OCD. But it is done in a fun way that still is appropriate for your middle grade readers. I cannot wait to bring this into my classroom.

Creative Team:
Bree Paulsen
Typography by David Curtis

Received an ARC for a fair review.

I really love the cute art style of this one and that the main character is literally a bulb of garlic. It really reminded me of other titles in the new graphic novel craze that I adore such as Cucumber Quest and Rutabaga the Adventure Chef.

Kinda spooky, kinda fun...perfect for younger fans of graphic novels.