One of my favourite micro niches is queer cozy fantasy middle grade comics—which mostly just means I adore the Tea Dragon series by K. O’Neill. I have a print from that series on my wall. I have the box set. I have the card game! And since I read it, I’ve been looking for something else that is just as sweet, comforting, kind, and magical. When I heard about The Baker and the Bard, it rose to the top of my most-anticipated queer books of 2024. I’m happy to say that it lived up to those expectations.

Juniper and Hadley are friends in Larkspur: Juniper is a baker’s apprentice, while Hadley is trying to make it as a bard. When the bakery receives a very expensive rush order for galettes, the two of them set out to try to gather the rare mushrooms the recipe requires. Along the way, they discover that a nearby town has been dealing with something coming out of the woods and devouring their crops at night—a mystery Hadley is determined to solve.

I really don’t want to say much about the plot, because this is a short comic and would be easy to spoil. I’ll instead say that while they do go on a little adventure, it’s fairly low-stakes, just as I’d expect from a cozy fantasy. They make some new friends, including encountering fantasy creatures, which is a huge plus for me. I never really got past the Pokemon stage of wanting to collect and care for a variety of beautiful fantasy animals (though I never wanted them to fight).

Hadley is nonbinary, and there’s a little romance subplot between these two friends. It’s very cute.

If you like The Tea Dragon Society, cozy fantasy, or gentle and comforting comics, you have to pick this one up. I want a hundred more just like it.

This was a lovely and sweet story that I enjoyed reading it. The art is very cute, as well. Overall very cute and fun

I always love me some nice enby and queer representation!!! The story is was lovely and I can't wait to read it again!

This one reminded me of a mix of Tea Dragons and Rutabaga The Adventure Chef. We have the adventure looking for unusual ingredients that puts our characters into a more involved quest that teaches them truths about themselves. It's also soft and reflective both visually and in the plot.

If you have enjoyed the Tea Dragon series, I think that you will enjoy this book! “The Baker and the Bard” by Fern Haught takes readers through a journey as Juniper, the baker and Hadley, the bard, set out to find glowing oyster mushrooms for a recipe. While they are on their journey, they come across a mystery in another village. Will they be able to solve the mystery and get the mushrooms? You will have to read this cozy fantasy to find out! I adored the charming characters in this story. Also,what story about a baker would be complete without the addition of a recipe? At the end of the book is the recipe to create your own mushroom galette. Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own!

Image quality was poor and the story dragged on.
I was expecting more, I don't think the comparison to The tea dragon society is quite fair.

The Baker and the Bard was a delightful cozy fantasy book that explored belonging and love and a deep respect for nature. This book was wonderful- the illustrations were beautiful and the coloring was eye-catching and made me feel like I was in a fantasy world. I'll be keeping my eye out for Haught's future work- they have definitely become one of my favorite YA graphic novel authors!

A cozy fantasy read.

I adored this title. It's cute. Adventurous. Inclusive. I love how it reminded me of a cozy Dungeons & Dragons adventure - one where you don't come across any fighting but are just out there exploring a new town and meeting new friends! This is an example of #TransJoy and will definitely be recommending it to fantasy enthusiasts.

A big thanks to NetGalley and Feiwell and Friends for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is too adorable.

The Baker and the Bard by Fern Haught is a fantasy graphic novel, that is highly remiscnecent of Legends and Lattes. Juniper and Hadley have a good thing going in Larkspur, spending their respective days apprenticing at a little bakery and performing at the local inn. But when a stranger makes an unusual order at the bakery, the two friends (and Hadley’s pet snake, Fern) set out on a journey to forage the magical mushrooms needed to make the requested galette pastries. Along the way, Juniper and Hadley stumble across a mystery too compelling to ignore: Something has been coming out of the woods at night and eating the local farmers' crops, leaving only a trail of glowy goo behind. Intent on finally going on an adventure that could fuel their bardic craft, Hadley tows Juniper into the woods to investigate. What started as a simple errand to pick mushrooms soon turns into a thrilling quest to save some furry new friends—and their caretaker, a softspoken little fey named Thistle—who are in danger of losing their home.

This graphic novel is so adorable. The art style is unique and gorgeous. The story is compelling and left me wanting to live in this world just a tad bit longer. It's super cozy and reminded me a lot of the Tea Dragon Society. I can't wait to read more by Haught.

Nonbinary romance with a cozy low stress fantasy adventure. I want a sequel to this comic. I wish this comic had more comics in the series. This would be cute to have for other queer folk who need to feel represented in the fantasy genre.

There's not much plot. The story is very simple, but it's a cute story and I like the art. It's a fun, cozy fantasy, I just wish there a bit more to it

I feel like I’ve seen this book compared to or recommended for readers of the Tea Dragon series, and I can absolutely see that connection. The characters have a very fantasy-based appearance. One is a fawn, and others have the pointed ears of fae with a wide variety of skin tones.

I loved the main characters, Juniper and Hadley (and Fern, the snake!), and their comfortable relationship. It’s clear that Hadley is the impulsive, wilder one, while Juniper thinks things through more slowly and keeps them from doing anything too dangerous.

While the two face decisions and deadlines, the stakes never get anywhere close to life-threatening, and nothing frightening happens, keeping the story well within the cozy fantasy bounds it promises. I think it would make a great transitional book for readers who are aging out of middle grade books but not quite ready for some of the intense themes or situations more common in young adult fiction. The finished copy also includes a recipe for a mushroom galette. Yum!

Fans of THE MOTH KEEPER by K. O’Neill or THE LEGEND OF BRIGHTBLADE by Ethan Aldridge will enjoy the nature-themed storyline and strong fantasy elements. I ended up buying a copy for the young readers in my life.

Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

I loved this new entry to the cozy fantasy genre. It is a little on the shorter side, which is my only complaint, but even in the brevity of the story, the characters were well developed and the art was lovely.

This was such a cozy read! You follow a baker and a bard, shocking I know, on a small little adventure to gather some mushrooms. They end up on their own little side quest and it was so fun. The art work was unique yet beautiful and the story was intriguing. I loved the world the story was set in and I can’t wait to see more from this author!

If this book could hug me, I would never let go. All the warm fuzzies in this cozy adventure. Filled with fantastic characters and gorgeous illustrations. Tea Dragon Society lovers will go feral for this book.

This magical graphic novel was recommended to me by lots of fellow readers and it certainly lived up to the hype!! Cozy, homey, and instantly lovable, this book has beautiful art and a wonderful cast and story. So glad to have had the privilege to read this one and will be delightedly to return to it again and again!

The Baker and the Bard is such a gorgeous and sweet little graphic novel. The story - two friends who might be something more - going on an adventure to find mushrooms and accidentally solving an ecological crisis - is lovely and gentle, while still being creative. And the Dungeons-and-Dragons-esque flair of it all meant that the world was immediately absorbing.

Basically, this is a great book for anyone who loved Legends and Lattes but wanted more pictures and possibly even more fluff. While it's occasionally just a little too sweet, this book is a quick read that feels like a warm hug!

4.25/5

Thank you Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, Feiwel & Friends, and Netgalley for this ARC!

- This is such a cute and quick cozy fantasy graphic novel!
- I loved the nonbinary rep, and I wish I had had this book in my classroom library for my trans students! I can think of multiple kids I taught who would've devoured this book.
- The magical creatures in this one were so fun! I want more about them in the future!
- The plot definitely takes a back seat to the vibes, but the vibes were so good that it didn't bother me. If you're looking for something more plot-heavy, I would recommend skipping this one!

perfect for people who liked Legends and Lattes duology. loved the art and colors used! shows that even the simple act of going to get supplies can be an adventure.

This was cute! It has similar vibes to The Tea Dragon Society and Legends & Lattes. The story is short and easy to follow, so I think this book would work well for all ages. The art is whimsical and colorful. The focus on bugs, nature, and baking gave me Studio Ghibli feels. There's queer characters, including a nonbinary main character, and the whole world seems welcoming to all.