Sprite and the Gardener

Gr 4 Up--Once upon a time, sprites used ancestral wisdom to nurture all plant life--until humans began to dominate the landscape. The good-spirited sprites lost their purpose but gained an appreciation for the human gardeners' yields. When Wisteria, who has magenta skin and wavy purple hair, arrives in Sylvan Trace, her fellow sprites fill her in on the best gardens to visit. Feeling shy, Wisteria finds herself in a barren garden, spying on Elena, a frustrated young gardener. Wisteria's secret attempts to revive the youth's morning glory result in a spectacular bloom that delights Elena. Thrilled, Wisteria continues experimenting with plant magic under the guise of darkness. When Elena learns of Wisteria's existence, what happens next will change the relationship between sprites and humans forever. Based on an original one-page comic, this short but sweet, flora-filled fantasy emphasizes kindness and teamwork. Readers will enjoy the story's blossoming friendships as well as the transformation of Elena's garden. Varied panel shapes add visual interest, immersing readers in key moments. Warm, retro-vibe colors imbue this tale of magical realism with whimsy, and the book has an anime flavor, with exaggerated facial expressions. Wisteria and the other sprites also possess unique character elements (hair, skin tone, attire) that mirror the plant they are each named after--an understated but charming touch. Elena is brown-skinned, while the sprites' skin tones are in a variety of vibrant hues. VERDICT Positive and uplifting, this magical read will delight lovers of fairies and plants alike. Hand this one to those who loved K. O'Neill's The Tea Dragon Society.--Pearl Derlaga, York County P.L., VA

"With an array of mysterious, wondrous powers," sprites were once "the sole keepers of the flora that they relied on," Abrego and Whitt explain in the prologue to this graphic novel. Now that humans manage their own gardens, though, there's little for sprites to do. With a froth of hair and ruffled clothing, pink-skinned, flowerlike Wisteria is new to the local group, which represents an assortment of body types and fanciful skin tones. When the others mention a neglected garden, Wisteria checks it out, longing to make its plants bloom. As she learns that gardening must happen "one step at a time," glittering spangles signal her powers awakening. Then, in an awkward moment, Wisteria is found by the young, tan-skinned human gardener struggling with the space. Ought she cooperate with the human or the other sprites, or keep all the fun for herself? In their first outing, a conflict-free, flower-forward hybrid of heroic origins and finding one's roots, Abrego and Whitt's sophisticated panel artwork employs an offbeat palette of tangerines, pinks, and purples and a riot of flower motifs that keeps striking images coming. Ages 13-up. (May)