The illustrations in The Faraway Forest: Wally's Route are quite charming—after all, who doesn’t love a mail-carrying raccoon? Features like the search-and-find activities within the chapters and the instructions on how to draw Wally are great additions that will really engage younger readers. The story itself is predictable but cozy, with village vibes that feel like a blend of Animal Crossing and The Hundred Acre Woods. There’s a lot to like about this book. However, I was bothered by the character Bo, who is a pet but talks like the people. It reminded me too much of Pluto, Mickey Mouse’s pet—except Pluto doesn’t speak. Every time Bo spoke, I was pulled out of the story’s whimsy and found myself questioning why Bo is the only animal that walks on four legs and talks. While everything else is lovely, this aspect was problematic for me.

This is such a great early reader book!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Faraway Forest: Wally's Route is an excellent entry into the world of graphic novels for young readers. The visuals are lovely; the richly painted world of Wally's neighborhood is bright, warm, and welcoming to a new reader. Fong also establishes a really wonderful sense of community through the book, fueled by characters who clearly have a strong sense of care for one another. While the story itself is self-contained, it really left me interested in seeing more written in this setting.
Overall, I can't wait to get this into the hands of kids in the library!

Join Wally, Faraway Forest’s dedicated mail carrier, and his loyal rabbit Bo as they deliver packages and offer a helping hand to their neighbors. This sweet story is perfect for beginning readers looking for a cozy story full of adorable animal characters. The illustrations are bright and whimsical, and it even includes a How To Draw the characters section at the end. I’ll be recommending this to my fans of Animal Crossing or anyone looking for a warm hug in book form.

The first in a new series for young readers, The Faraway Forest was absolutely charming! Wally and Bo are your friendly neighborhood mail carriers. Equipped with a sturdy mail bag and encouraging mottos, the duo spread kindness and cheer wherever they go.

With an adorable art style and quick chapters, readers of Narwhal & Jelly and Pup & Dragon will love this one!

I also really appreciated the interactive tidbits (hidden pictures and how-to-draw) thrown in at the beginning and end of the book. Kids will love those!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

The Faraway Forest: Wally’s Route was funny, happy, and joyful according to my six year old. Along with a very cozy plot full of the cutest forest critters, the book also features a scavenger hunt for items in each chapter that held my little one’s attention. We loved the message of self-care and the beautiful illustrations.

The Farway Forest: Wally's Route is a whimsical, cosy, and wonderful children's read focusing on Wally, a raccoon, and his best buddy, Bo, who is a white rabbit. This picture book features a lot of other assorted animal friends who reside in the woodland town, which an animal-loving kid will be very excited for! This book is targeted for ages 5 to 8 years old with simple illustrations and a sweet story about the resident postman, Wally! I love that Wally's job as a postman is featured here, especially as it coincides with his beliefs and mottos of doing the right thing, helping others, resting when they need it, listening to others, helping others, communicating effectively, and meeting people where they are in their journeys. All very important life lessons for kiddos! For younger readers, this story features colorful tones that are eye-catching, with a seek-and-find option that can help aid them as they transition into emerging readers. This story can also guide parents and teachers in walking readers through letter identification and phonemic awareness. For older readers, this story is great to practice reading comprehension and fluency. Wally's mottos can elict really wonderful conversations for all readers about what their mottos may be or how they feel about Wally's mottos and what that may look like in everday life. I loved the extra pages in the back of the book tha shows Wally and Bo's cosy little burrow and how-to-draw pages for Wally and Bo! This is truly such a special book and I truly hope this will become a series that follows the different folks in The Faraway Forest.

Very cute and cozy! Great for beginning graphic novel readers. The forest setting and various critters were adorable.

Wally is a postal carrier in the Faraway Forest. He happily brings everyone their mail everyday with his sidekick, white rabbit Bo. Most of the forest's creatures are appreciative of Wally's work, but cranky Mr. Sternbill is annoyed at being last on his list. Wally tries to show patience and kindness to all - like waiting with someone while they finished a letter. When a storm comes through, Wally pushes himself to deliver all the mail and gets a cold. Will everyone understand if he takes a day to rest?
This is absolutely adorable, and all the creatures are so sweet. Even Mr. Sternbill softens in the end! It is a story about caring about your community, having patience, and being kind to others.

"You know my motto: To all you meet, be good and kind - you never know what's on their mind."

Gorgeous and inviting drawings with a perfectly timed story about neighborhood and community, and even taking good care of yourself.
I adore Wally and his partner Bo, and their little forest village.

Especially perfect for fans of Animal Crossing, this picture book should be a hit with all ages. Even Mr. Sternbill.

"To do your best, you need to rest."

Bonus drawing ideas at the end!

So adorable. The illustrations are so bright and inviting. The chapters are just perfect length for a new reader. I love Wally's Motto's sprinkled throughout the book. Definitely a wonderful addition to any early/first graphic novel collections.

This book was adorable! I loved the colorful illustrations and the extra pages for drawing the characters. The scavenger hunt for certain items in the illustration was fun too! I can’t wait to buy a copy for our bookshelf.

Wally's Route is the first book in author/artist Debbie Fong's new graphic novel series for newly independent readers, The Faraway Forest. Wally, a raccoon mail carrier, is devoted to his job, done with the help of Bo, his loyal rabbit friend. One day, several mishaps cause Wally to be late delivering an important package to a grumpy customer. Wally is crushed by his failure to fulfill his duty. Then he becomes ill. Wally fears everyone will be angry with him, but he is about to be surprised. By the end of the book, Wally learns that it's okay for him to take care of himself and that it's even okay for him to depend on others for help. Wally's Route is a great age-appropriate introduction to the ideas of community, responsibility, service, and self-care. The colorful artwork is cute, and the story has both sweet and funny moments. The plot may seem to be on the simple side, but don't miss out on the big lessons woven in. Wally's Route would make a great addition to library and classroom collections, or a lovely gift to a cherished child.

This cute little graphic novel follows an animal towns postal workers everyday activities. The postal worker travels near and far to deliver mail with a smile and positive attitude while helping others along the way. Until one day he gets sick and no mail for a day. Will the town step in an help him or will they just let him stay sick? Read this quick graphic novel to find out. Great for small kids in elementary school and older. Highly recommend!

The Faraway Forest: Wally's Route is an adorable heartwarming graphic novel perfect for beginner readers. Readers journey along with Wally and Bo as they deliver mail throughout the forest. Children in grades K-3 will love the bright, lively illustrations and the messages of community, friendship and integrity as they learn about what a mail carrier does in this sweet story. The picture search in the beginning and the how to draw Wally and Bo at the end are fun touches that will keep young readers engaged!

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

The Faraway Forest: Wally’s Route by Debbie Fong is such a Heartwarming story. If I'm being honest, I requested this book to read with my 5-year-old, but I also ended up falling in love with the story. It's so sweet and cozy, the artwork is super charming, and Wally's little mottos are just adorable " To all you meet, be good and Kind - you never know what on their mind" we have put that phrase in our whiteboard for the week, My child also love the story, we alreay preorder a physical copy.

This is so lovely and heartwarming! The perfect story for kids to relax into at bedtime. Following a thoughtful and friendly, mail carrier and their fellow, diverse animal friends is a perfect way to help kids explore a sense of purpose, kindness, and the importance of community. With a soft and colorful art style, kids will be itching to add this to their nightly reading agenda.

Ok we just got this approved from NetGalley today and have already read it twice. Will 100% be purchasing for our collection as soon as it's released! My 8yo (who has recently discovered animal crossing) loved this one and my almost 4yo was completely enamored with the illustrations. There is very minimal text in this graphic novel, making it perfect for a younger audience OR struggling readers who are easily overwhelmed (like my 8yo). There is plenty to look at on each page and the whole vibe is charming and sweet. Was able to read aloud the entire thing in 10 minutes and then my kids went back to look through the story again slowly and talk about what was on each page.

Thanks to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for the ARC!

This book was super cute and fun. I read it with my 5 year old Son and he enjoyed the pictures and the story. I loved how dedicated Wally was to his job as a mail carrier and how the community rallied around him when he was sick. Such a cute story with a good lesson. The way we treat people will come back to us in different ways.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fun kids book. The illustrations were adorable and the story was so fun.