An adventure and a yummy treat, it truly is the best of both worlds!
Fern Haught’s debut graphic novel, The Baker and the Bard, is a whimsy tale of identity and friendship. Following baker’s apprentice Juniper, aspiring bard Hadley, and Hadley’s adorable pet snake, Fern, The Baker and the Bard is great for children to learn about environmental stewardship and the importance of listening to people who are different from you.
To begin, the simple but whimsical drawings from Haught are sure to entice a young reader, whether they are exploring the graphic novel medium for the first time or a graphic novel devotee. Haught’s art beautifully showcases the many different creatures in the fantastical world they have created. Even little Fern (the snake) has interesting style and a personality evident in the art.
In addition, the lessons within the graphic novel are well-woven throughout, in a way which may seem obvious to an environmentally-conscious adult, but perfect for kids who are curious about our impact on nature and the differences between how people view themselves and their place in the world. Both Hadley and Juniper have a lot to learn, and not just in the fields of music and baking, respectively.
Finally, I’m in love with any book which includes a recipe, and this book is no exception. While I won’t spoil what the recipe is, it is certainly one I may have to try in the near future. As someone who loved learning how to cook as a kid, I believe the inclusion of a recipe that the characters bake in the story will help kids get excited about attempting to cook the recipe and maybe even try some new foods while they’re at it.
The only thing I was wishing for a bit more of in The Baker and the Bard is a bit more description of who the characters are before the events of the story take place and the world around them. We do get a glimpse at a few towns in Haught’s world, and it is obvious Hadley and Juniper do grow as people during the narrative, but I think getting to hear a bit more of the characters’ journeys up to that point and more of their flaws could have made the lessons just that more powerful. Of course, some of these details may be shown more in later installments of Hadley and Juniper’s story, but they would have been nice to establish in the beginning.
The Baker and the Bard will be released on March 5, 2024, and can be found on Amazon and Macmillan Publishers.
Comments