“Willow.”

From Mai K. Nguyen’s Pilu of the Woods.

Grieving and struggling in most areas of her life, young Willow has found herself in trouble for fighting at school and she is still confrontational when she arrives home. Willow’s older sister, Linnea, is upset to hear about Willow’s negative behavior, but because tensions are high, both sisters end up in a big argument. Storming off into the familiar safety of the woods, Willow seeks the solitude she needs to calm down. However, when Willow hears someone crying in the woods, she investigates and discovers Pilu, a young magnolia tree spirit that has run away from home. When Willow realizes that Pilu is from her mother’s favorite magnolia grove, she offers to help the lost tree spirit find her way back home, and Pilu reluctantly agrees. Willow and Pilu talk while they travel through the woods, and they both realize they both feel like they have tiny monsters that need to be locked away to avoid angry outbursts. However, when Willow’s monsters turn out to be real and powerful, she and Pilu will have to find a way to regain control before it’s too late.

This graphic novel may be short, but it packs a punch with an important message about emotional health and healing. Nguyen easily creates an interesting story that is carried by the deep visuals of the natural backgrounds. While it is a quick read, young readers will find Pilu of the Woods to be an unforgettable, fantastical read.