A lovely little book about facing your fears, friendship, family and the power of magic as well as the magical power of believing in yourself and following your heart.

This is a very kind graphic novel about self-doubt and coming into your power with the help of supportive friends and family wrapped in water magic. I enjoyed the parallels in Sophie and Lir's stories and how their meeting changes both of them. I also really appreciate that the comic really emphasizes the kind of damage harsh treatment can have on one's confidence. The world Xu builds has some very interesting elements, including dragon bureaucracy and various routes for learning magic that don't necessarily involve boarding school.
The art is very colorful and I love the way the dragons are drawn especially. I did have a hard time with some of the characters, but that might be because I gulped it down in one session.
This is a good title and I would recommend it to people who enjoy well-illustrated stories about magic with an emphasis on character growth.

This graphic novel was so incredibly cute and wholesome! I loved the artwork and the beautiful cool colors that really matched the setting and tone of the story. The story was simple and sweet and extremely relatable for kids that are the same age range as the main character. I really love that it showed the experience of how it feels to be talented, but also constantly have a nagging anxious voice telling you to work harder, or that you're not good enough. It really showed a realistic aspect of mental health, but was still very accessible to middle grade readers.

I also really enjoyed the sweet pre-romance storyline between Lir and Sophie. It was lovely, and in many ways the whole book felt very Ghibli-esque. It's a perfect middle grade graphic novel, and I will definitely be recommending it to my students!

I don’t read graphic novels very often, but I have really enjoyed the few I’ve read– and this one is no exception! I didn’t realize until I began reading TIDESONG how much I missed this style of storytelling. Once I finished reading it, I looked up MOONCAKES by Wendy Xu, and I’ve heard so many great things about it that I want to order myself a copy of that, too. I also had to look and see if Ethan Aldridge had anything new coming out, and yes! He does! So I can tell next year is going to include some amazing graphic novel stories, and I’m excited.

But back to TIDESONG. I loved the vibrant depictions of characters in this book. It’s always fascinating to me the way that illustrations and a few words in the hangs of a brilliant storyteller can bring a story so fully to life. I felt like I knew the characters and could hear them in my head. I loved Sophie so much.

I felt like the story hit the perfect level of complexity, too. Like, a lot happens, and there are some unexpected moments that pull things together in different ways. It never felt overwhelming and there weren’t any moments that dragged. The pacing was perfect.

I’m definitely interested in adding this one to my family library. I’ve seen several reviews listing TIDESONG as perfect for fans of Studio Ghibli. I think it’s also a great fit for fans of Ethan Aldridge’s The Changeling King duology.

Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was a beautifully crafted graphic novel, from the story to the illustrations. It reminded me of Studio Ghibli productions. It was whimsical and magical. Definitely recommend. Will be purchasing.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced electronic copy of this delightful book. I enjoyed this whimsical story that combines dragons, witches, and magic in a graphic novel format. It also explores important themes of relationships and apology. The story shows how adult actions affect the young people and highlights the importance of apology.

'Tidesong' with story and art by Wendy Xu is a graphic novel that is great for younger readers.

Sophie gets an invitation to audition for a famous magic school, so she is sent off to her great aunt's house for training to pass the test. It doesn't go well and Sophie releases a water dragon who now has to find his way back home.

It's a really nice story about finding yourself and your family and making mistakes along the way. The art is very charming and this would be a fine read for a younger reader.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Harper Collins Childrens Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.

This was very cute and sweet! I highly recommend this story for anyone looking for Studio Ghibli vibes.

I have to say I definitely didn't love it as much as I loved Mooncakes by this author, but I'm still very happy I read it. I especially enjoyed the way it challenged adults being too hard on kids (or downright verbally abusive) and how it highlighted the importance of adults respecting and apologizing to children instead of sweeping their mistakes under the rug.

I do want to clarify one thing: I'm seeing a lot of people shelve this as a queer title, but there is no on-page or implied queer rep at all. I know that many people use Goodreads' shelving while making recommendations lists, library and bookstore displays, etc., and I think it's important that expectations are clearly set. ♥ Of course, this is still a gorgeous story with some very lovely representation inspired by Chinese mythology - it's simply not also a queer MG story.

✨ Representation: the story - and, presumably, characters - are inspired by Chinese mythology, according to the author's note

✨ Content warnings for: verbal abuse, a brief flashback to physical abuse

This was a fantastic fantasy mixed with slice of life, graphic novel. I loved the way that this graphic novel dealt with anxiety and never feeling good enough. Sophie's frustrations about her witchcraft studies is very relatable and so our her worries and anxieties. Overall, this was a great graphic novel and one I will be adding to my personal collection!

Rainbows and Sunshine
November 16, 2021

This was so adorable!!! I love reading about different mythology and this had Chinese sea dragons, which is fascinating. I'm also a fan of the author since Mooncakes, so I requested Tidesong on a whim.

Sophie was a wonderful main character. I really loved her friendship Lir, the young water dragon with amnesia. It was really interesting to see the lore and I adored the entire setting.

It's also shows how adults can also be wrong and how everyone should apologise, no matter age or status, which is great in a middle grade novel.

The art is absolutely gorgeous and the colours are amazing! If you love witches and sea dragons in a whimsy magical setting, definitely pick up Tidesong!

*ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review

This really was so cute and definitely did have some Studio Ghibli vibes! It's a great story about a spunky girl who is impatient and clumsy with her magic. What's great about it is a) how cute the various creatures are, b) how the story goes in a different direction than you might expect, and c) how it's a good book that shows both kids and adults can be flawed people, and that adults should apologize to children when they've done something wrong! The illustrations of magic were just beautiful and it's a world you want to visit. Truly a delight.

Wendy Xu’s Tidesong is a heartwarming experience of a graphic novel that gives us a tale about family, magic, responsibility and making your own way. Sophie is a young witch whose mother and grandmother’s pressures to attend the Royal Magic Academy takes her away from home to the home of her great Aunt and cousin to prep for the exam. Sophie is young, eager but untrained and constantly stumbling to cover the basics. When a spell performed on her own goes wrong, it brings terrible repercussions: she accidentally entangles herself the magic of a young water dragon named Lir. This book boasts beautiful artwork that has big Studio Ghibli vibes and a narrative about coming clean about your mistakes, the pains of growing up and finding people to believe in you while you find the power to do so for yourself.

All the characters build up this amazing graphic novel from Cousin Sage and Great Aunt Lan who are family Sophie has never met before to The Dragon folk of the sea like Lir, the dragon prince stuck and unable to go home and the royal court clerk Jai who acts as a messengers between land and sea. Tide Song ultimately reminds us that children can act as the vessels of change between those who have differences far and wide, family legacies can be messy but can be worked on to be better with newer generations and that self acceptance is not a finished product, one can work at it day by day. I loved the world inside this book that Wendy Xu has created, the world-building that has given us all the strange and wonderful creatures of the sea that decorate the pages and I especially love this story that I want to keep near and dear to my heart!

Sophie is a pre-teen witch who is just beginning to discover her magical abilities. Her mom and grandma send her to study with her aunt and Sage. Sophie soon realizes that she's going to have to endure plenty of physical labor before actually getting to do magic.

Sophie's frustration with her failed attempts at spells makes her desperate to show her abilities which doesn't turn out well for her as she's plunged into the ocean and has to be rescued by a kindly dragon, Lir, who is now stuck in his human form. Can Sophie and Lir untangle their magic before everyone's lives are put in danger? Is Sophie talented enough to make it as a witch?

I really enjoyed this tale that focuses on friendships and family. Readers will love watching Sophie learn to look outside of herself and develop empathy and compassion for others around her. The added fantasy elements were also quite fun! Overall, this is a great read! 4/5 stars!

“But you’re more than one mistake.”

From the co-creator of Mooncakes comes this beautifully illustrated fantasy story about the power of emotions, friendship, and family relations. Tidesong is not a book you want to miss out on.

In this slice-of-life fantasy story we meet Sophie, a young witch that is sent off to live with her aunt to train and gain control of her magic in order to have the chance to be accepted in the Royal Magic Academy. However, she doesn’t get to practice as much as she’d like and so, in an attempt to prove her worth, Sophie creates a spell that ends up with her binding her magic to a water dragon called Lir and almost drowning. After binding their magic, Lir is trapped on earth and suffers from memory loss. Together, Sophie and Lir will face some difficulties but they’ll ultimately work together to overcome them and help each other reach their goals.

Xu did an amazing job creating this fantasy world and its magic in a simple and easy to understand way yet still different from other stories and books. It’s very interesting and it certainly leaves the reader wanting for more. As for the designs, it was sweet to see how Xu took elements from the dragons of Chinese mythology and mixed them with other fantasy elements as well as with other real-life animals to create their final designs. The movement they show is just flawless. And the rest of the designs are equally as beautiful, from the people to the backgrounds. The story itself is well made and there is not a dull moment, it’s so fast paced and it hooks you from the very beginning. The storytelling in Tidesong is just wonderful. It’s simple but it delivers such deep messages with its narrative. Xu’s art really complements beautifully with the story presented. Sometimes words aren’t even necessary to carry the story, her illustration-only sequences are so expressive that the story tells itself.

As for the characters, there’s a wide variety of personalities. Sophie is so young yet puts so much pressure on herself to be perfect in every way, especially with her magic. She is quite stubborn and determined to reach her goals to the point she may seem irritating but it’s clear to see where she’s coming from. Usually talking herself down and telling herself she’s not good enough, one clearly sees her need to do better comes from insecurities that come from herself and from comments she’s received from others in the past. She just doesn’t want to feel like a failure. And this negative-self talk is something universal that many readers, young and old, will be able to identify and connect with. With some other characters’ help she begins to change and believe in herself a little more.

On the other hand, Lir is a bit more confident and just a pure little sunshine. Of course he also has his own struggles and insecurities, that one discovers along the way as the story progresses. Yet he is such a kind soul. The rest of the characters from Sophie’s family members to other water dragons are equally interesting and each with real life struggles. Another thing Xu did really well is portray family relations and feelings: jealousy, being strict on children and showcasing how this is really not very helpful. Everyone needs to be treated with respect and shown love.

Ultimately, Tidesong is a story about how it’s okay to stumble, and make mistakes and take our time to figure things out and do them our own way at our own pace. Whilst also focusing on the importance of mental health and relying on others when we’re struggling. It’s okay and necessary to express our emotions in order to not let them consume us, as the main characters in this book learn. It’s so necessary as well to show these messages to younger audiences.

A sweet and fun read with Studio Ghibli vibes, lots of beautiful illustrations, and a lovely message behind, Tidesong is perfect for those who are looking for a cute and heart-warming story.

Lovely graphic novel about a young witch struggling with honing her magic and her anxiety. When a spell goes wrong, her magic becomes intertwined with a dragon prince's. To resolve the tangle, they must confront their fears and the expectations of their families.

Fabulous artwork and an engaging storyline make this middle grade graphic novel about learning responsibility and finding yourself unputdownable. Vivid colors and lush seascapes draw the reader into this fantasy world. I didn’t connect quite as much as I would have liked to with the characters which accounts for the 3stars instead of 4, but honestly I don’t think that will be an issue with my middle school audience.

Tidesong by Wendy Xu is a graphic novel currently scheduled for release on November 16 2021. Sophie is a young witch whose mother and grandmother pressure her to attend the Royal Magic Academy—the best magic school in the realm—even though her magic is shaky at best. To train for her entrance exams, Sophie is sent to relatives she’s never met. Cousin Sage and Great-Aunt Lan seem more interested in giving Sophie chores than in teaching her magic. Frustrated, Sophie attempts magic on her own, but the spell goes wrong, and she accidentally entangles her magic with the magic of a young water dragon named Lir. Lir is trapped on land and can’t remember where he came from. Even so, he’s everything Sophie isn’t—beloved by Sophie’s family and skilled at magic. With his help, Sophie might just ace her entrance exams, but that means standing in the way of Lir’s attempts to regain his memories. Sophie knows what she’s doing is wrong, but without Lir’s help, can she prove herself?

Tidesong gave me exactly what the blurbs recommending it to fans of Studio Ghibli and my knowledge of the author had me hoping for. A coming of age story full of magic and a young girl figuring out who she is and what is really important. The characters are dynamic and well crafted, even those we do not see for long. The artwork is a perfect match for the characters and story, with some definite influence from anime. It just really worked and I could easily picture this as an animated movie. Sophie's personal struggles in loving herself and dealing with all the challenges that come with the age are on point and I think many readers will relate to her journey. I loved that other characters got to have growth as well, rather than just Sophie, and it shows that no matter how old or set in our ways we may become there is always room for more understanding and personal growth. This is another wonderful book from the author, and I cannot wait to see what she does in the future.

Tidesong is a lovely graphic novel for middle grade and older readers. Magic, coming of age, and brilliant artwork will make this a favorite for many readers.

Tidesong is a book about patience and perseverance. Sophie Wu is a young witch in a long line of witches who inherited their magical abilities from dragons. Sophie has some growing up to do and feels the weight of her family's legacy affecting her every move. Struggling with magic lessons, she conjures up magic too big for herself to handle. When a young dragon helps save Sophie's life when she's in over her head, their magic becomes intertwined and both of them must deal with their own families and personal demons in order to break free. Tidesong is a powerful story with beautiful illustrations and coloring that sends an excellent message to this age group about friendship and support during the hard parts of life.

So cute! Both the art and story are excellent. An excellent tool for teaching about not listening to negative self talk, learning to be okay with failure and changing your path AND healing generational hurts

Gorgeously illustrated. The theme of anxiety was handled well, and how that anxiety was exacerbated by the harsh words of the adults around her.