Praise for The Baker and the Bard:
"It’s right there in the title—this graphic novel is gentle, thoughtful, and, well, cozy. ... Vivid colors, rounded lettering, and soft lines mirror the vibe of this world where it is clear that (mostly safe) adventures abound but home is always only a short distance away, and your bestie (and crush) is always nearby. ... This queer-friendly graphic novel about magic and the glory of nature, set in a world where everyone belongs, feels like a warm cup of tea on a rainy night, and the appended recipe for galettes would make an added treat (though mileage may vary on whether creminis are a valid substitute for magic)." —The Bulletin
"Haught’s debut graphic novel is an empathetic tale of friendship, trust, and learning to balance expansion with preserving and living alongside nature. Soft, loosely lined illustrations and muted tones add warmth and gentility to this quintessential, cozy queer fantasy tale that will appeal to fans of The Tea Dragon Society and The Sprite and the Gardener." —Publishers Weekly
"Full of bright and colorful artwork, this gentle D&D-like fantasy is a great read for those looking for a light story or those dipping their toes into this genre for the first time. Haught cleverly touches on urban development, its environmental impact, and the importance of preserving the local ecosystem, and the budding romance between Juniper and Hadley is a sweet addition. This pleasant food-focused quest resolves happily, and readers hungry to try the mushroom tarts they ultimately make will appreciate the recipe included in the back matter." —Booklist
"This fairy tale–like story is charming and serene. The beautiful drawings depict a magical world whose inhabitants are friendly and open with simple needs and desires. ... A whimsical, sweet fantasy that is sure to delight teens looking for a magical, cozy world and nonbinary representation." —School Library Journal
"Haught’s charming debut features colorful digital art resembling watercolors that captures the mood of this magical, feel-good story, and the eco-fantasy elements are enriched by the heartwarming relationships. Gender identity is thoughtfully touched upon in a conversation between Hadley and one of the fey. Sweet and satisfying." —Kirkus Reviews
"The Baker and the Bard is a cozy new graphic novel perfect for fans of The Tea Dragon Society and Mooncakes. Author and artist Fern Haught’s story is truly delightful." —Geek Girl Authority
"A rollicking adventure ... The author has created an open dialogue about what it feels like to be nonbinary when Hadley has a frank discussion with their new fairy friend Thistle about gender identity. A sweet, fun read." —Scary Mommy
03/01/2024
Gr 7 Up—Juniper and Hadley live in the charming fantasy world of Larkspur where they work at Mira's Bakery. When a wealthy stranger comes into the shop and requests an unusual pastry, Mira assures her they will fulfill the order, even though she knows they lack the proper ingredients. Juniper and Hadley convince their boss to let them go to the forest in search of the necessary glowing oyster mushrooms. On their adventure, they learn that the farmers in the city of Gryfice have lost crops due to a mysterious creature emerging from the trees each night. The friends are eager to investigate, and while searching for the culprit, they run into the mystical fey. Thistle, the leader, admits that her giant caterpillar friends need silvergrass to survive. Juniper, Hadley, and the feys must work together to help solve their problems and restore order to the town. This fairy tale–like story is charming and serene. The beautiful drawings depict a magical world whose inhabitants are friendly and open with simple needs and desires. The themes of acceptance and togetherness prevail as the author successfully weaves these threads subtly through the narrative. The conversation about gender and Hadley's admission that they are nonbinary is a bit forced, without a natural transition into the dialogue. Still, it's an important part of the characters' relationships and creates an inclusive literary environment. VERDICT A whimsical, sweet fantasy that is sure to delight teens looking for a magical, cozy world and nonbinary representation.—Karin Greenberg
2023-12-16
A quest for a magical ingredient takes two young heroes on a fantastical environmental adventure.
Blue-skinned, magenta-haired, nonbinary Hadley is a bard, and pink-haired, russet-skinned Juniper is a baker. The pair work together at the Blue Heron Inn, and while they’re best friends, there may be feelings between them that aren’t entirely platonic. Although Juniper’s star is rising thanks to her tremendous baking skills, Hadley is in need of “some adventurous material” as inspiration for their performances. After someone offers a bag of riches as payment for a last-minute special food order, the duo sets out to search for the rare mushrooms that will make the pastries glow in the dark. In the neighboring city of Gryfice, they learn that something mysterious is eating the farmers’ crops during the night. There’s a trail leading into the forest, but people are scared to investigate. Hadley eagerly sets off to investigate, while levelheaded Juniper suggests stopping to make a plan. Their quest quickly becomes more complicated, but they meet an important ally, who shows them that things aren’t always as they seem. Haught’s charming debut features colorful digital art resembling watercolors that captures the mood of this magical, feel-good story, and the eco-fantasy elements are enriched by the heartwarming relationships. Gender identity is thoughtfully touched upon in a conversation between Hadley and one of the fey.
Sweet and satisfying. (recipe, character sketches) (Graphic fantasy. 12-18)