The Sprite and the Gardener really captures the experience of growing a garden - the hopes, expectations and ultimate satisfaction when it grows. This book expresses how putting time and work into an environment builds community and friendship.

I adored the use of delicate line work with bold, flat colour, and with the rich and cohesive colour palette, lends the book a retro vibe. The use of colour conveys a lot of emotional weight and I loved the use of limited or monochromatic palettes for some panels. The whole visual design of the graphic novel gives off major magical girl vibes. The characters have distinct, easy to read silhouettes and the cast features a diverse range of characters. The art has an expressive sense of motion with a lot of energy throughout the book.

Early in the book, a lot of characters are introduced all at once, and awkwardly use each other’s names in conversation like they’d just read a book on how to win sprite friends and influence fae folk. I was left feeling quite disconnected from the characters, and confused about what was important - for me, I could pretty much just note that sprites had flower names and forgot everything else.

I would recommend The Sprite and the Gardener for all ages. The plot is simple and the excellent visual storytelling means that it is easy to follow and understand, but the feelings and experiences are very relatable, and it was a joy for my grumpy old self to read.

Thanks to Oni Press and Netgalley for providing me with access to an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you so much to the publisher for giving me an ARC of this wonderful novel! This was so whimsical and cute and I loved the art style and color palette so much! This gave me fairytale vibes and the story was just a short read full of magic and whimsy. Recommended for those who wish to try a graphic novel for the first time!

Interesting art style and super sweet story. Makes me wish my green thumb was better because growing life is truly magical.

Oh No I have found a new favourite, this was just extremely cute and adorable. Not only the illustrations are gorgeous, the story also is beautiful! This is about sprites, who took care of plants and flowers before humans stepped in. Now they don't really have any reason to work hard for the plants and are just hanging around. But Wisteria, a new sprite in town, finds a garden and its owner trying to revive it. Maybe the powers of the sprites of old aren't completely lost... And maybe working together is the best way to do it.

I am absolutely a fan of this story and this universe and the art!!! Totally would love to see more of it.

This book is absolutely gorgeous. The illustrations are so detailed and beautiful, it truly stands out as a work of art. I usually fly through graphic novels and comics, but with this one I spent my time on each page, carefully taking in all the beautiful characters and art. The colour and use of light in the drawings are astounding.

I also enjoyed the plot, it is a heart-warming story about friendship and connecting to nature, even going back to our roots.

All in all, it is a precious book that comforted my heart <3 I wish it wasn't a stand-alone, or that the artists had published more books together!! I love Rii Abrego's style.

Once, long ago, the sprites watched over the plants in the world, protecting them and helping them flourish. But, as time went on, humans arrived and took over the care of nature. The sprites’ powers became a thing of the past. That is, until a young sprite named Wisteria starts to question why sprites have lost touch with their magic. Wisteria finds herself on a mission to help a neighborhood girl grow her garden, no matter how difficult it might be.

You can get your copy of The Sprite and The Gardener on May 11th from @onipress!

The Sprite and The Gardener is hands-down the most beautiful graphic novel I have ever read! The art is beyond stunning, and each sprite had their own unique flair. I quite enjoyed the story as well, as it was heartfelt and sweet. Overall, this book was a wonderful read for me!

My Recommendation-
If spring is your favorite season you need to pick up a copy of The Sprite and The Gardener! This book felt inherently springy to me, as it captured the wonder that new growth brings!

'The Sprite and the Gardener' by Rii Abrego with art by Joe Whitt is a really delightful new graphic novel by two people who are new to creating a graphic novel.

Wisteria is a sprite. Sprites were once caretakers of gardens, but humans have taken over that job, and sprites now just want to remain hidden. Wisteria is curious and visits the garden of a young girl named Elena. With Wisteria's help, the garden takes shape, but what will Elena do when she finds out she has help?

I really, really enjoyed this gentle tale of working together to create something beautiful. The art is truly magical and the whole thing just took me off guard.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Oni Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.

First of all, the art by Rii Abrego is gorgeous. Complexly detailed and colorful, it gives life to the sprites and the natural world that they inhabit in a mesmerizing way. Just looking through the pictures is an experience.
This makes it even better when you realize that the story that Joe Whitt wrote has depth, emotions, and a great message.
It's a light read that brought me pure happiness and enjoyment. A little break from harsh reality.

Many happy thanks to NetGalley and Oni Press for the early read!

A really pretty, thoughtful book that is about beauty and kindness and generosity, and also about magic, sprites, and plants! A wonderful graphic novel that works for middle grade as well as adults.

At the beginning, we are introduced to the beautifully drawn and brightly colored sprites whose ancestors used to be the sole caretakers of plants, but all the sprites now are mostly inactive now that human have taken over gardening duties. We meet a sprite named Wisteria, who is new in town, and wants to help plants grow. The other sprites in town tell her that humans just do it all now, but Wisteria wants to work alongside human gardeners.

The illustrations are so so beautiful, with a touch of delicate whimsy. Truly such a beautiful book. I don't usually read graphic novels, but if they're anything like this, I'll definitely be reading many more! Not just the illustrations, even the plot is really good and well structured. Read this to your children, or even to yourself!

Thank you to Oni Press and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A lovely concept that allows old and young to dream of a world where difference can only make life blossom!

Wisteria is a young sprite that dreams to be capable of taking care of nature as it was done before the humans took over the world. But her friends (other cute sprites such as Lily or Moss) are used to this new life of no intervention. Only Wisterias new acquaintance might provide the possibility to make both her dreams come true.

With an amazingly beautiful design this story will make you want a flower garden, not just to restore natural balance and wonder to this world, but also (cross fingers) to befriend a sprite.

A debut piece of graphic awe that ensure my immediate follow these two comic designers!

It's only downfall is its reduced length ( I wanted more of the beautiful sprite team!)

An e-ARC of this book was kindly provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this graphic novel; the artwork was super cute, and the story was even more adorable. Sprite's once took care of the gardens, but then humans came and took over. The sprite's was chilling until a new sprite comes along called Wisteria. I just loved how simple yet meaningful this graphic novel was. It shows that we can work along with any creature.

The art is lovely, but the story itself is uncomplicated. Not a bad thing, there’s just not a lot of plot! Would recommend for those who enjoy gardening and flower artwork.

Disclaimer: I received a free e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This story was so cute!! I loved the illustrations and the magical little plot. Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read this novel.

The Sprite and The Gardener

By Olivia Shan

Bursting with wonder and whimsy, The Sprite and The Gardener is a heartfelt love letter to spring.

Wisteria— our dainty, lavender-haired main character— and her friends are fairy sprites, nature’s designated caretakers who have tended to plants of all kinds for time out of mind. However, nowadays, sprites have been somewhat replaced by human gardeners, and Wisteria and her people have since settled into an early retirement. What else could disturb this order but a chance meeting in an overgrown backyard with a young, aspiring gardener…

Above all else, it is Rii Abrego’s talents as an illustrator which make this graphic novel a stand-out. I was first deeply drawn in by her striking color palettes— her recurring combination of cream and light violet and cantaloupe orange is very pleasing to the eye. The numerous plants and flowers are also beautifully rendered, and the characters are equally dynamic and visually interesting— I found Wistera’s wide-eyed, flustered facial expressions especially adorable. Even if the story’s writing feels generally lackluster, the strength of the art itself carries the whole book effortlessly.

Although it may be aimed at a younger audience, The Sprite and The Gardener will delight readers of all ages. It’s short and pretty and nice—when you’re craving for sweet, this will hit the spot. If you have been struggling lately with the pressures of deadline work or exams, this urban fairytale is guaranteed to provide you a perfect little respite in the midst of your busy day. Fans of Katie O’Neill’s much-beloved Tea Dragon series should not miss this for the world.

Thank you to Netgalley and Oni Press for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review. The Sprite and The Gardener will be released in May of 2021.

I would like to thank Oni Press for the review copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Sprite and the Gardener is a short but sweet tale of blooming friendship between a sprite and a human gardener. It highlights the importance of cooperation and harmonious community. This graphic novel is for the plantito and plantita in all of us. In the Philippines, plant parents are called “Plantito” = Plant+Tito (Uncle) and “Plantita” = Plant+Tita (Auntie).

The story followed a kind sprite who started helping a human girl, secretly at first, who hoped to please her sick mother who was sick to tend their garden anymore. I really liked how Wisteria slowly rediscover her magical talents as she tried to revive the plants. There was also a diversity of characters, specifically with the sprites. Everyone has their own talents to support each other.

The art style was definitely whimsical and beautiful. It felt like it was from a classic fairytale and it fitted the story's tone and atmosphere.

Overall, The Sprite and the Gardener is an enjoyable read with gorgeous illustrations.

5/5 stars!

I loved this little cute story and the concept behind it. There are colorful fairy sprites who used to be the sole caretakers of earth's flora, but now that humans are gardeners, they have become inactive. When one particular sprite, Wisteria, comes to a new town, she wants to fit in with other sprites, but she also wants to keep tending the flora even if it means working alongside humans.

The story was really enjoyable and different, but the main complaint I have, is in regards to the art. This is probably an unpopular opinion for this book, but the art was a bit complex in some places?! The way the hairs of Wisteria was drawn, was a bit much. We didn't get to see her face and that was kind of unusual for me. I wanted to see more of her expression. But, I applaud the diversity in the art! The sprites are all colorful and have wonderful expressions.

The story is pretty quick and short and it gives the message of friendship. And if you consider yourself as a gardener, or like to try your luck with the plants, this one might delight you :)

What a beautiful and whimsical graphic novel. This book gave me a childlike wonder, the story is right out of a fairytale, the artwork brings to life this beautiful story. I will be buying a physical copy of this because it was so gorgeous and I will love to share it with my niece and nephews.

This was a gorgeously wholesome and whimsy read. The illustrations were magical and captured the delicate features of the sprites and ethereal nature of the story.
The story follows Wisteria as she questions her purpose as Sprite and starts to discover her talent with plants, but trying to grow a garden alone is a big ask of one so small, however talented.
The message at the heart of Sprite and the Gardener is that everyone has a purpose and passion, and in this tale shows that working together can create something beautiful and lasting.
An enjoyable and easy read, perfect for readers of all ages.

“the most beautiful garden in town is the work of a fairy who loves the gardeners smile”

this was super cute and the art style is gorgeous i only wish it was longer and we got more of a backstory on the sprites

A feast for the eyes and warmth for the heart. This book dazzled on all levels. Meeting the sprites and their lavish world was delightful. Every newcomer to gardening has felt the frustration Elena feels and wished for the kind of help Wisteria bestows. The importance of working together and the message of finding joy in helping others elevate the story.