This was the cutest book!

Garlic is a little anthropomorphic garlic bulb who is such a hardworking and great friend. Her only problem is that on days where her and her vegetable buddies go to market, she sometimes sleeps in. But all is well and everyone heads back to witch Agnes's after.

Later, while working in the garden the other vegies notice smoke coming from the old castle. It must be a vampire! Who better to vanquish the foe than their very own Garlic! Join her on her adventure as she flies off to meet the count... And see what happens next.

The art was cute and the story and plot were warm and fuzzy. 10/10 would read again

In this adorable graphic novel, we meet a group of vegetables brought to life by a kindhearted witch. The vegetables, originally given life to merely garden, have since gained sentience and personalities. Our main character is Garlic, a perpetually late and nervous garlic bulb who’s responsible for the garlic plants in the Witch’s garden. The story begins at the farmers market where humans go to buy produce from the Witch and the Vegetables. Here we meet the quirky cast of Vegetables characters. The plot really starts moving, though, after the market when Potato notices smoke coming out of the distant abandoned castle. The Witch does some scrying and we learn there is a vampire living there. Of course, who should go and deal with this dangerous creature? Garlic of course! Everyone knows vampires hate garlic. But, Garlic’s not sure she’s up for the job…
The story is short and sweet with a great cast of characters. It’s fun and interesting enough to keep a readers attention with a nice moral to the story. I would definitely recommend this graphic novel for any readers who like a quirky story, some fantasy, and lovely illustrations.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for providing a free advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Garlic and the Vampire was an absolute delight. In less than 200 pages, Bree Paulsen weaves a cute tale of friendship and magic. Readers follow Garlic, a somewhat shy, anxious, and curious anthropomorphic garlic bulb. as she navigates life among her fellow vegetable folk and the witch who brought her to life. But when the vegetables notice smoke rising from the once abandoned castle on the hill above their town, they piece together that it must be a vampire. And everyone agrees that someone must face the possible threat to their quiet lives. Thanks to lore claiming that vampires are weak against garlic, Garlic is elected to drive away the vampire.

Paulsen perfectly captures feelings of fear that often brew in small towns, and readers are taken along with Garlic's journey of self-discovery and fight to discover the truth about the town's new neighbor.

The muted color palette complemented the book's cozy tone well, and lettering was well integrated and non-intrusive to the rest of the art. Paulsen's attention to line captured complex emotions while still retaining a simple and easily readable style. Charming and full of heart, Paulsen's traditional debut was a wonderful read.

This was one of the most adorable and heartwarming graphic novels I have read in a long while. I love the quirkiness and the fun way in which the characters were written! The illustrations are absolutely perfect and whimsical. I would recommend this to everyone!

In a small village, a witch named Agnes has ensorcelled little fruit and veggie folk who assist her with gardening tasks and keep her company. Garlic is kind and wants to be helpful, but unintentionally causes blunders and is rather unreliable. When a vampire is suspected of inhabiting a long abandoned castle, it’s up to little garlic to confront him and determine whether he’s a friend or foe. Can she overcome her fear and face this challenge head-on?

I thought this short graphic novel was adorable. The illustrations perfectly capture the action of the plot and the personality and emotions of the characters. The story is easy to follow and is suitable for middle school and up. Universal themes such as believing in oneself, finding courage while facing adversity, and not judging others before you get to know them are explored. A great bedtime story that should entertain child and parent alike.

Creative, imaginative, and a lovely combination of words and image. Well worth sharing with young readers.

Filled with earthy colors and comforting imagery, Garlic and the Vampire is the tale of how a little bit of courage can invite big rewards. In this short graphic novel, we get a glimpse of the life of Garlic, an anxious and fearful enchanted vegetable living and working in Witch Agnes’ garden with the other enchanted vegetables. When a vampire moves into the abandoned castle nearby, Garlic must decide if they can face their fears to save the town. This book is suitable for middle readers, though fans of graphic novels of all ages will enjoy the charming tale. Highly recommended for libraries and home book collections, Garlic and the Vampire is sure to leave readers with a comforting feeling even after the story ends.

Super sweet and gentle story encouraging shy kids to be braver. A witch has animated vegetables into beings to tend her garden for her (but tells one if they want to do something else they should) and Garlic is selected despite being timid to go to a nearby castle to see if there is a vampire there. Garlic is not terribly impressed that. she got picked just because vampires are supposed to be repelled by garlic but goes anyway.
It would be a good story for a kid who is afraid of meeting new people. Also, the scene of the vegetable people selling vegetables in a farmer’s market is adorable!

This has to be the cutest graphic novel I have read in a long time! Not only is the art adorable, but the characters and story are super charming! Garlic’s anxious nature was relatable to someone, like myself, that suffers from severe anxiety. Not only does the story focus on friendship and not judging people, it was set in nature with gardening. It was a very unique take on witches and vampires, and I would love to see a sequel or more from this artist! I highly recommend this book for readers of many ages, primarily from juvenile and up.

This was a very cute, sweet, magical story about anxiety, bravery, community, and friendship told through a very imaginative lens. The art was very warm and lovely. I'm trying not to think too hard about any implications of magical humanoid vegetables growing and selling tiny versions of themselves for human people to consume. Like a planter's peanut situation. Let's just not dwell on that. 😂

When Witch Agnes’ village of veggies learns that a vampire has moved into the valley, they send timid Garlic to use her allium advantage to vanquish him. Garlic manages to muster up her courage, but her quest does not go as expected.

Garlic and the Vampire is a cozy adventure about friendship and courage. The artwork is bright and vivid, and the farmer veggies are just so cute. This is a sweet read that is sure to be appreciated by younger middle grade readers and fellow anxious folks.

A true gem of a graphic novel! Welcome to a beautiful fantasy world full of garlic, her vegetable friends, and a friendly witch. Little Miss Garlic is tasked with confronting a vampire that has moved into the neighborhood castle. Facing her fear with her friend celery turns out to be a life changing surprise. Great for all ages and very memorable!

I adored this interesting and engaging young graphic novel. A perfect message for young children about getting to know people before you judge them harshly.

I ADORED this book--it is so sweet, kind, and cozy, with great lessons (for all ages, really) about anxiety and acceptance. In some ways, it fits the semi-recent cottagecore aesthetic, and the artwork is consistently beautiful and cute, without being cloying. I'm definitely buying this when it's released (review based on an eARC via NetGalley.)

A cute, sweet, simple graphic novel about a humanoid bulb of garlic, her humanoid vegetable friends, the witch who brought them all to life, and their run-in with a vampire.

The premise is a little over the top, even for a middle-grade graphic novel, but the idea is cute enough and the illustrations are beautiful.

Thanks to NetGalley & HarperCollins Children's Books for the early copy in exchange for an honest review.

"Garlic and the Vampire" follows talking and walking vegetables that help a local witch sell produce at the farmer's market. One vegetable in particular, Garlic, is extremely shy and anxious. Then news comes in of a vampire moving into town and it makes sense for Garlic to confront them...but does Garlic have the courage to face her fears?

A very sweet story! I love the illustrations, they reminded me of the show "Over the Garden Wall" with its almost vintage style. It's also a very honest tale about overcoming anxiety, especially when meeting new people. Highly recommend!

This was adorable!!! It is the story of Garlic, who is afraid of everything, and his friends. They garden, and sell what they grow. Then one day they notice smoke coming from a castle far in the distance, and they think it may be a vampire! Garlic is nominated to take the journey to see just what the deal is, but what he finds isn’t at all what he was expecting!

The art in this graphic novel was awesome! I loved the faces on the Vegetable people, and the colors were great too. This was a super cute story that I think middle grade readers will love.

I was given an advanced reader's copy via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own

Ok, this was ridiculously cute. The art is lovely, and the message of confronting the things you are afraid of was very well done, and I can already think of at least one anxious kiddo who is going to love this book.