Sisters of the Mist - by Marlyn Spaaij (Paperback)

About the Book

"Frygea Forest. An ancient and mysterious place where trolls lurk in the mossy spaces between tree trunks and changelings scamper about, causing mischief. A place that Kyra and her sisters Margot and Janna return to every year to spend the summer at their grandma's farm: roasting marshmallows, catching frogs and befriending tiny, grumpy root goblins. But this summer is different, and as teenage Margot drifts apart from her sisters, slamming doors and keeping secrets, Kyra starts to worry. When Margot is enticed into the woods by the mysterious figures in the mist, Kyra resolves to do everything in her power to save her sister from danger, even if that means facing the spooky forces within Frygea Forest with just her kid sister, Janna, for help. Join Kyra and her sisters in this beautiful coming-of-age graphic novel about embracing the changes that come from growing up, but never letting go of the imagination that keeps you young. If you're careful, and ever so quiet, you might spot a root goblin marching along the ground, or a glittering alf darting amongst the leaves."--Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

Join Kyra and her sisters as they fight the mysterious forces of the forest, and the challenges of drifting apart with age. Perfect for fans of The Babysitters Club graphic novels and transitional readers aging out of Hilda.

Harvey Award nominee for Best Book of 2022!

"A magical, moving celebration of sisterly bonds."
--Kirkus Reviews

"A sweet story that explores the changing relationships between siblings wrapped in a beautiful fantasy world. A solid read both for those coping with puberty as well as with their younger siblings."
--School Library Journal

"In swirling, bold-hued panels, animator Spaaij conjures a liminal space as Margot hovers on the brink of a mystical womanhood in this alluringly high-pitched drama."
--Publishers Weekly

"Beautiful, funny and atmospheric, using magic to capture the shifts in sibling dynamics as an eldest sister becomes a teenager. Full of personality and life."
--Gillian Goerz, Author of the 'Shirley and Jamila' series

"It's not often my kids fight over books but I had to referee turns over this, always the sign of an intriguing book right?"
--Kids Lit is Lit

Frygea Forest... An ancient and mystical place where trolls lurk in the mossy spaces between tree trunks and changelings scamper about, causing mischief. A place that Kyra and her sisters Margot and Janna return to every year to spend the summer at their grandma's farm: roasting marshmallows, catching frogs and befriending tiny, grumpy root goblins.

But this summer is different, and as teenage Margot drifts apart from her sisters, slamming doors and keeping secrets, Kyra starts to worry. When Margot is enticed into the woods by the mysterious figures in the mist, Kyra resolves to do everything in her power to save her sister from danger, even if that means facing the spooky forces within Frygea Forest with just her kid sister for help.

In this lively coming-of-age graphic novel, you'll never have to let go of the imagination that keeps you young. And if you're careful, and ever so quiet, you might spot a root goblin marching along the ground, or a glittering alf darting amongst the leaves...

Readers ages 9-12 familar with Sorceline and the Hooky graphic novel will enjoy getting lost in the whimsical and witchy elements of this fantastical world brought to life by debut creator Marlyn Spaaij.

Review Quotes

Selected for the CBC's Love Makes the World Go Round Summer 2022 Showcase

"A magical, moving celebration of sisterly bonds."
--Kirkus Reviews

"A sweet story that explores the changing relationships between siblings wrapped in a beautiful fantasy world. A solid read both for those coping with puberty as well as with their younger siblings."
--School Library Journal

"In swirling, bold-hued panels, animator Spaaij conjures a liminal space as Margot hovers on the brink of a mystical womanhood in this alluringly high-pitched drama."
--Publishers Weekly

"Beautiful, funny and atmospheric, using magic to capture the shifts in sibling dynamics as an eldest sister becomes a teenager. Full of personality and life."
--Gillian Goerz, Author of the 'Shirley and Jamila' series

"It's not often my kids fight over books but I had to referee turns over this, always the sign of an intriguing book right?"
--Kids Lit is Lit

"Janna reminded me of Mei from 'My Neighbour Totoro' and the book definitely has that vibe of magic realism mixed with more serious themes."
--Library Mice

"A visual treat and a real support to year six conversations regarding periods."
--Rob Crossley

"Dramatically illustrated with fantastical elements"
--Jill Bennett

About the Author

Director-writer-storyboard artist Marlyn Spaaij is amongst the key creative professionals in the Dutch animation industry. She was storyboard supervisor on American Girl's 2D series Wellie Wishers (2017) and storyboard artist on the 3D series of Chinese kids brand Dr. Panda (2018), as well as character animator on the 2D feature films Cobain: Montage of Heck (2015) and Triple Trouble (2014), a.o. Currently Spaaij is directing her animated short Trouble in Mind (10'), with support of the Dutch Film Fund and ARTE Germany's Nadja Dumouchel as script consultant. Spaaij is a graduate from the HKU.

A key figure in the animation industry, Amsterdam-based Tünde Vollenbroek lives and breathes character-driven narratives. For the last 10 years she's been active in the field, currently as producer and co-owner of animation house Studio Pupil. Vollenbroek is also a curator at the Kaboom Animation Festival, former correspondent at the world's top animation resource Cartoon Brew, and a two-time recipient of the Business Award at the Animation Production Day. She studied at the HKU Utrecht School of the Arts (2008-2012) and Animation Sans Frontières (2012-2013).