Being a ranger means adventure, action, and protecting the weak. But who protects the ranger when they lose their way? Identity, belonging, purpose, believing in yourself, dedication to one’s calling, becoming who we were meant to be without bowing to external pressures. This graphic novel was as imaginative, sweet, and soft as their other works, with beautiful illustrations in their easily recognisable style—no surprise there either! Not my favourite by them, but still a very cute story.

"... the ones who love you will get it."

A warm and restful fantasy about being scared and doing it anyways. Lovely to pair the responsible Rowan with laid-back Leone. A ranger and a bard on foot together with nothing but time and miles to open up and share their authentic selves with each other.

The illustrations are gorgeous - from breathtaking senic two page spreads to small intimate glances or even a muddled reflection in a pond. Theres a language to the shapes, colors, clothes, and architecture that gives this fantasy world a sense of reality. I could swim in its lushness.

Highly recommend for youthful readers seeking fantasy stories especially regarding belonging and identity.

Thank you Netgalley and Random House Children's | Random House Graphic for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children’s for an arc in exchange for an honest review. I think I might have accidentally requested this twice because I got approved for this book from 2 different listings? As far as I can tell, the actual book file is the same on both though.

This is such a lovely story about self discovery! The story is very cozy and approachable for younger audiences, without feeling too oversimplified for adults to enjoy reading. Also, K. O’Neill’s use of color is truly outstanding. The art has such a charming nostalgic quality to it that I just adored.

This was a really sweet, soft graphic novel about finding yourself and learning that you don't have to prove yourself. Rowan is so much happier when they admit to Leone that they prefer the name Rowan to Rose, and when they realize that they don't have to prove how strong and brave and "the best" they are in order to "earn" the name Rowan. That the people who love them will accept them just as they are. Leone, in turn, had to learn to be brave enough to play the violin in front of others.

The illustrations perfectly matched the story. They were soft and sweet and fluffy, with just the right amount of sketchiness to give movement. I loved all the landscape scenes interspersed between the story scenes, because they really added to the pastoral feel and gave a strong sense of nature and peace.

I loved Kes the winged horse, and all of the people Rowan and Leone meet along their journeys delivering wool.

*Thanks to Random House Graphic for providing an early copy for review.

I am a fan of K. O'Neill. I read The Tea Dragon series when it came out. I flew in love with the artwork and all the different characters. I couldn't pass the opportunity to sign up for the blog & instagram tour.

A Song for You and I is a middle grade graphic novel about finding out who you are and learning to believe in yourself. We follow Rowan is working on becoming a ranger. In a decision to prove themselves, Rowan's horse, Kes, ends up getting injured. While Kes heals, Rowan is assigned to go on a slow journey to the outer lands with a sheep herder. The two end up helping each other grow.

Overall I did enjoy this graphic novel. It was nice seeing these two come together and help each other out. They both are doubting themselves with different things and they really end up helping each other. I just wish we had a little more backstory. I would have loved to learn more about the rangers and just the town in general. I felt that really could have helped enjoy the story more. It would have added to the experience.

I'll continue to check out the other graphic novels from K. O'Neill. I always enjoy the characters and the creatures drawn in these graphic novels. They're always so pretty. I always want to just buy pictures to hang on the wall.

"A Song for You and I" is a cozy slow-paced fantasy graphic novel that shows it is okay to be yourself. I love K. O'Neill's art style and the many panels without dialogue allowed me to soak all the illustrations in and appreciate what the art was saying. I enjoyed seeing all the areas that the characters travelled to, and their relationship transform on their journeys. I look forward to adding this book to my library's children collection.

A song for you and I follows a Ranger in training named Rose/Rowan during their final summer of apprenticeship before they becomes a full fledged ranger. Because Rowan has worked so hard in their studies they are placed in a relatively calm location close to home where they reluctantly befriend a lazy fiddle playing sheep herder named Leone. When their pegasus gets hurt and they are forced to spend time accompanying him on his wool deliveries Rowan finds there is so much more to the world then they first thought.

The drawings and graphics on this book were stunning. Movements and emotions were very well done. I will say that the story took some turns that I was not quite expecting, but the story was done in such a subtle way, similar to the way Rowan's own eyes were opened throughout the story. What a wonderful way for the story to be portrayed more in images than in words and the character growth of both Rowan and Leone was just beautiful.

A Song for You and I is a beautifully written graphic novel perfect for teens. The illustrations are amazing and fit the story very well. Topics such as confidence and identity will resonate with readers. Recommended for all YA graphic novel collections.

I've liked many of this author's previous titles, and this one held true to the usual tone and style I've seen previously from them. It's got a cozy, light feel while still tackling real emotional struggles in a way that never feels melodramatic or forced. It's not heavily plot driven, although there's definitely key events that happen. It's more about the characters and their growth, both individually and in their relationship to each other. The artwork is beautiful, as always, and there's a lot of showing rather than telling throughout the story to hint at some of the conversations that take place later on in the story. We get a very interesting exploration of self-expression in terms of gender identity, passions, and societal obligations.

A Song for You and I by K. O'Neill was an incredibly sweet read. I enjoyed the illustrations and Rowan's story. Beautiful, sweet, and I just want to give the physical book a big hug. I plan to purchase a copy of this feel-good graphic novel for my library's collection. Thank you for the ARC!

I loved the authors other books, the Tea Dragon series, and this gives that same cozy, comfort with a side of adventure. Rowan is a fabulously flawed MC just looking for who they are and how they belong, which is truly how everyone feels. There is no lack of relatability

This book does provide a great mirror for the LGBTQIA+ community but there was a real lack of substantial dialogue. The entire time I felt like I was missing something from the book. A fantasy romance graphic novel deserves more dialogue and action. I am sure the intention was to be a cozy fantasy read but it didn't feel like it hit on the right fronts. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read an advance copy and give my review!

4.5 stars

Thank you Random House Children’s and Netgalley providing me with an e-ARC of this in exchange for an honest review.

K. O’Neill is one of my favourite artists and their graphic novels bring me so much joy. They’re so cosy and wholesome and diverse and lovely, and the artwork is so pretty and soothing to look at.

I love the slow, casual pace of this one. There’s lots of frames of just art, no dialogue or narration of any kind. It really set me at ease and I felt myself relax reading this.

I adored both Rowan and Leone. They both have personal things they’re working on, and I loved watching them grow more comfortable to explore those things with each other.

This is a low stakes cosy fantasy perfect for readers of all ages. I can’t recommend it enough.

Ever since The Tea Dragons Society, I always look for new stories from K. O’Neill. Once again, this did not disappoint. From the illustrations to the story of finding oneself woven throughout, it is a story told in soothing colors. I adored viewing easy illustration in detail as I let the story carry me. O’Neill has such amazing talent with graphic novels, truly a favorite for me. Thanks again to NetGalley and Random House Children’s for the opportunity to read and review this lovely graphic novel prior to publication.

Unsurprisingly this was very cozy, queer, and fun. It's a soft story and sometimes that exactly what we need.

K. O'Neill never disappoints! I've read each of their books, and as a youth librarian they're the first books I reach for to inspire a love of reading in kids who are struggling. "A Song for You and I" is no different- the dreamy artwork, inspiring message, and beautiful character relationships make for a loveable graphic novel for people of all ages. The writing is gorgeous and flows beautifully, and the artwork feels like a cozy cup of tea while watching rain fall on a window in the spring. A wonderful read that I'll come back to time and time again!

The summary and cover for this book already had me hooked as I'm always in the market for queer graphic novels that build on self-discovery and finding ones way in the world. The main characters were both so wonderful with their unique paths. This story doesn't need to rely on some big bad to push it along as it meets its intention of being a cozy path for our characters to travel to their true selves and happiness which is so much more enjoyable to read.

I received a digital ARC from the publisher via Netgalley, though all thoughts are my own.

This book was such a sweet story about following your heart, being true to who you want to be, and having people in your life who will embrace you and life you up.

I adore Kes, who is a wonderful companion and full of surprises.

Rowan and Leone's friendship is so sweet, and their bond develops over time as they go on unexpected adventures.

The artwork itself is beautiful, full of whimsy, and so colorful!

I highly recommend this book, and I love how K included some sketches at the end on their journey to creating this story.

Thank you again to NetGalley for letting me read an e ARC of this graphic novel.

Oh the illustrations are what easily peaked my interest so I wondered how the storyline would do the same. I read this story slowly and though it is a graphic novel, the story pulled you in as any regular novel. We learn about the world K O’Neill built with a simple but powerful message. One that is very needed right now honestly — be who you are and understand that one or many will understand you too.

This is another cute and cozy graphic novel from the author of the Tea Dragon Society series. I really loved the art in this, especially the way O’Neill was able to draw reflections in the water. Gorgeous!
The story itself was a little confusing and I wish we got a little more background information about rangers and the world Rowan lives in. However, I really enjoyed the relationship between them & Leone. It was beautiful how Leone accepted Rowan as is, and Rowan’s reflection towards the end was heartwarming: “I felt like I needed to earn the right to be called by my real name, but Leone never needed any proof. He took me at my word just as I am.” Such a gender-affirming read!