In the past few years children’s graphic novel publishing has exploded and it’s so exciting to have such a beautiful range of books available for young graphic novel fans. The Girl and the Galdurian is the first book in the Lightfall series. It’s a fantasy adventure set in a world inspired by nature, and gorgeously illustrated with an autumnal palette.

Bea spends her days assisting her grandfather, the Pig Wizard, in his potion shop until one day he goes missing. Naturally, Bea is very worried, but while out in the forest she meets a new friend. Cad is a Galdurian. It’s a very unlikely friendship because Galdurians are thought to be extinct. Bea takes a cautious approach to life while her new buddy is goofy and good-hearted. They make a good team, and their friendship grows as they set out together to find the Pig Wizard. With humour and warmth, they see each other through some hairy situations. They even fight giant crabs and narrowly avoid being cooked for dinner.

Fans of the Hilda books will love this great addition to our graphic novel shelves, and readers ages 8 and up will be eager for more from this new fantasy series.

Kim Gruschow is the children’s book buyer at Readings St Kilda.