When I first read The Tea Dragon Society I completely fell in love with it. It was such a sweet, warm-hearted and unique book! And now, we finally got another one. I could just read this all the time…

One of my absolute favorite things is how the art goes perfectly with the story. They are just so much in sync, you know? The art is utterly BEAUTIFUL and this is probably one of my favorite books ever in terms of design. It’s vibrant, smooth, and it just makes me happy looking at it. The characters’ emotions are clear and adorable and the backgrounds are vivid and magical. What can I say… It’s just perfect.

As for the story, as I said, it’s SO unique! It’s one of those books you will see yourself grabbing just to smile. It’s a really cute and sweet story with a lot more to it than meets the eye at first. There’s a lot of diversity in here that makes it even more beautiful. There are nonbinary characters, characters with all colors and sexualities and even characters with disabilities like deafness. It’s just so thoughtful and gorgeous!

This is a book for all ages, with some beautiful art and a story that will no doubt put a smile on you. It’s the cutest thing ever and I can’t wait to read more of these!

Set years before Katie The Tea Dragon Society, new graphic novel The Tea Dragon Festival by Katie O’Neill returns to the world of tiny tea dragons. A brand new story featuring brand new characters, this tale is every bit as heartwarming as the first graphic novel which captured hearts all over the world.

The story is set in a small village very removed from society. Rinn is a young nonbinary person honing their skills as a cooking apprentice. One day while foraging for ingredients in the nearby forest, Rinn finds a dilapidated shrine. Sleeping inside isn’t one of the tiny tea dragons that roam the village, but a real dragon, sleeping soundly. After being put to sleep by an unknown creature for eighty years, Aedhan must come to terms with missing so many years,

While this is set in the same universe as The Tea Dragon Society, no knowledge of the previous volume in the series is needed in order to enjoy this one. The Tea Dragon Festival is set prior to the events of The Tea Dragon Society and takes place in a different location. However, for fans of the first volume, Hesekiel and Erik do make an appearance.

Friendship, finding one’s place within the world, and learning where your passions lie are all central themes to this wonderful story. The pacing is slow, and the tale takes on a more slice-of-life tone. It is a story of heart and warmth, the sort of story that soothes a weary soul.

One of the characters within the story is deaf. Some panels depict characters signing, something that the vast majority of the village does well and everyone tries. This deep sense of community, of coming together and learning sign language so as to be able to communicate freely, is warming. Sign language is used directly on the page, something which isn’t very often seen.

The art is an utterly beautiful, almost watercolor-like style. There is little use of lines, and certainly none of them thick black ones. Instead, a calming pastel palette is used. Bolder colors break out in scenes set under a blazing sun, or to highlight the colorful lights adorning the Tea Dragon Festival.

The backpages of this graphic novel are filled with all sorts of illustrations and information. Like the previous volume, there are sections about the tea dragons and greater dragons found within the pages. There are also links to resources both in the US and New Zealand on sign language and deafness appropriate for both adults and children. The world of the The Tea Dragon Festival is a place that makes a reader want to linger amid the beauty and calm serenity. It is a place where even creatures with bounties on their heads might not be quite so malicious as they are made out to be, and bounty hunters that can recognize the sanctity of life and are willing to pardon their prey. It is a place that will sooth a weary, aching soul, and is a testament to the vision and talent of writer and illustrator Katie O’Neill.

Oh my gosh, I wish I could live in this beautiful perfect, precious world that Katie O’Neill has created so badly! I know I am not the exact age demographic for these cute little graphic novels, but I can’t get enough of them! There is something so calming and pure about reading these stories! And the graphics are absolutely breathtaking, I love the colors, creatures, people, all of it. I love everything about these stories!

In this edition, we get to see adorable, younger versions of Erik and Hesekial, as well as meet a whole new cast of characters!

It was beautifully done as ever and like with previous stories in this universe, includes so many different diverse identities. These books are just perfection!

Katie O'Neill has created a world that I forever want to soak in and be apart of. Another beautiful story with amazing art. I read through this story twice. The second time was solely to admire all of the details of the colors and drawings.

Received from Netgalley for free and honest review.
This was wholesome and beautiful in so many ways. The art was gorgeous and the representation in this graphic novel is effortless and a breath of fresh air. I need a Disney animated adaptation of this immediately.
Seeing sign in this book this to the next level for me.

Katie O'Neill's first Tea Dragon book was a soothing fantasy story full of characters that were diverse, well-written and beautifully illustrated. The Tea Dragon Festival is no different. The images of the remote mountain town and its inhabitants could calm the most frantic of minds.
Building on concepts and world-building accomplished in the first story, we get a peek into the past of some of our old favourites - but new characters shine just as bright. The world of Katie O'Neill's tea dragons is robust and enthralling.

The main human character's development seemed a little stilted compared to the more robust development of characters in the first book. By contrast, the dragon character had a satisfying resolution without the tired angst of many fantasy stories. Yet all the characters have a touch of personality and distinction - not an easy feat in so short a story.

What is always so thrilling about O'Neill's work is the fully integrated and completely natural incorporation of people of colour, people with disabilities, and queer folk of all kinds. When explanation is required, it is given gently and without any patronizing hand-holding. O'Neill trusts her audience to accept her characters as they are, and to understand that in a world which includes dragons and magic, there is no need for everyone to be white or straight.

Congratulations to Katie O'Neill for another publication from Oni Press, who continue to support interesting and talented creators.

This was such a beautifully drawn and written little graphic novel. The illustrations were gorgeous and really did the story justice and made you feel like you were immersed in the story. The story was simple but perfectly written integrating diversity and inclusion naturally into the story without it being a center concept. The way gender fluidity was mentioned was great for younger readers to understand. I also loved how ASL was used in the story. It was a very unique way to integrate it. Overall, this book was a wonderful graphic novel and companion story and I can definitely see it helping children discover a love for graphic novels. Wonderful!

I truly love this story and all the dragons that Katie O'Neill has magically crafted. The guide at the end is especially fun because you can learn a little more about dragons featured throughout without the characters having to over-explain. I truly love this author's works and can't wait for the next graphic she comes out with.

This is as adorable as all of the other Tea Dragon books. I really love all of these and this one is no exception. The rural landscapes in the art of this were beautiful and the story made me smile.

Gentle graphic novel with lovely illustrations that I'd describe as "lyrical."
It's not plot heavy and there are some lovely messages about appreciating your own talents etc.

This was my first Katie O'Neill and I absolutely need to pick up more of her work because this was so fucking cute. First of all, I need to talk about these tea dragons because I have never squealed so much over art but these smol babies were the most adorable things I have ever laid my eyes on. O'Neill created such a magical and wonderful world that felt so at home. It was comforting and uplifting, leaving such a lovely message to her younger readers (and older readers, this book is really for everyone!). The artwork is beautiful and with every page, I was more and more impressed with the panels. Additionally, I really appreciated the wide variety of representation included. This book is all cuteness, all wholesome and all important!

I read this not having ever read The Tea Dragon Society before. It still made a lot of sense and I could grasp the concepts and world easily. This was honestly so cute! The little tea dragons may have been the most adorable things I've ever seen. GREAT representation in here in multiple ways! Not an all time favorite, but definitely nothing wrong with it. I'll be picking up The Tea Dragon Society FOR SUREEEE now.

I do not typically read graphic novels yet when one of my coworkers said that she read an ARC that involved ASL I was curious. (I am a Sign Language Interpreting major.) While I love the concept of incorporating ASL in the book, I feel that there are some things that the illustrator could have done better. For example, ASL has a lot of motion in the language and when I saw that there was motion (on page 14) when a character waved I thought I was excited. Yet, that motion was not carried on when the characters were actually signing.

I also want to note that American Sign Language and New Zealand Sign Language. This is important to note since American Sign Language is derived from French Sign Language while New Zealand Sign Language is derived from British Sign Language. There are several differences between the origin of each language which causes differences in the signs. I feel that this is something that you should inform readers of so that when reviewing the Sign Language websites that they know the Zealand Sign Language is not going to work with the same effect as American Sign Language in the United States.

2.5 Stars

A vast improvement from the first edition! There is actually a plot within this one which I felt was lacking in the original. I suspect that wasn't the point of the first but its simply my taste. In this one we get a hint of romance with the two of the character preparing for the Tea Dragon Festival. So this book gets a few points for that rather then the first which doddled around a bit to much for my liking. In certain moments it still happens in this volume, but the characters seem much more developed and dynamic then the first volume.

If you like fluffy, sweet, and short things to read in one sitting, you will enjoy this book.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2900200008?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

Thank you for granting me the arc for THE TEA DRAGON FESTIVAL!

I loved THE TEA DRAGON SOCIETY and was excited to get the next book in the series. The art and stories for both are fantastic. Perfect for all ages (at least all ages who love cute stories). I love all the different dragons and creatures and it makes up for a fun read.

"Just because something comes easily to you, does not mean it has no value. You find it effortless because you love it, and that is why it is a gift."
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This is such a wonderful read! I wanted to wait 'til i read the first book in this series (The Tea Dragon Society) before I started this one but I needed an immediate comfort read so I went with this one. And I'm so glad I did. 🥰

In a small village where humans and adorable tea dragons live harmoniously with each other, Rinn tries to find her purpose in the community as a cook. A week before the Tea Dragon Festival, she discovers a sleeping dragon in the middle of the woods. Aedhan awakens and reveals that he's late in fulfilling his duties as the village's guardian and protector, 80 years late in fact. Rinn vows to help Aedhan catch-up and re-enter society after missing a generation, and in the process, he helps her find her heart's true desire.
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The premise seems simple and straightforward but in it lies a depth that I found both endearing and refreshing. The peace the village enjoys isn't depicted as a sugary lack of conflict, but more of an existence that is both content with simple happiness, yet still prepared, and unafraid, of inevitable change.

The diversity is inspiring and is presented not as a special feature but just as a fact of life, a detail I appreciate and love so much! Compassion and empathy are woven into the story so well. With the cute and whimsical illustrations, the book could've easily delivered a steady pleasantness and still I would like it, but what really made me love this were the bits of mystery and suspense that made the reading experience whole and unforgettable.

I highly, highly recommend it!

Beautiful illustrations are the making of this delightfully creative graphic novel. The magical creatures in a magical land, where community and caring is at the heart of everything, make it a gentle and enjoyable read. I particularly liked the part at the end where it explains that tea dragons are the domesticated result of a smaller sub-species of wild dragon, which is now found only in rare numbers. I can imagine young readers being caught up in this fantasy land. Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher, Oni Press for an ARC.

I first became interested in this delightful graphic novel after receiving and reading The Tea Dragon Society in a book subscription box. I adored the first installment and had high hopes for this next story. I was not disappointed in the slightest. Katie O'Neill crafts a lovely story paired with whimsical art that really transports you to a kinder, more beautiful world.

The tea dragons are back and cute as ever, although they take a back seat to Aedhan. Aedhan is a "real" dragon, or a Dracona Major - a big thanks to the author for including supplemental information about her world at the beginning and end of the story. He is sent to this tiny mountain village to protect its people; however, he falls asleep for decades thanks to a mysterious force and is only awoken when Rinn stumbles upon him. I loved the sweet plotline between Aedhan and Rinn.

Throughout the story, there are nice little touches of romance, interesting discussions of identity (e.g., dragons shifting between male and female forms), and inclusion of individuals with differences. Lesa's use of sign language was one of my favorite aspects of the story. When Lesa was born deaf, the village made the effort to learn a mode of communication that was appropriate for her. The illustrations even include some recognizable signs from American Sign Language.

Overall this story was short and very enjoyable. I highly recommend this to fans of graphic novels and anyone in the market for a serious mood booster.

AHHHH. Katie O'Neill's art is just the most precious and adorable thing. I want to go to the Tea Dragon Festival, stat, and I need a Mountain Chamomile tea dragon IMMEDIATELY. I love this graphic novel!

This book was an adorable read. It follows a girl who is working hard to become and apprentice cook before her parents return to their village. In the process, she discovers a dragon asleep in a shrine. This light hearted plot reminded me of Animal Crossing with adorable dragons, with species of every shape and size coming together to co-exist. The addition of American Sign language brought a new dynamic that I do not see very often in graphic novels.