Peculiar Woods: The Ancient Underwater City - by Andrés J Colmenares (Paperback)

About the Book

"Nine-year-old Iggie is the new kid in the town of Peculiar Woods, and nothing about his new home is familiar. So how is he supposed to make friends when he's not allowed to talk to strangers? On his first night in the strange new town, Iggie gets lost in the woods, where he discovers he can speak to inanimate objects. He soon teams up with his blanket, Faye, a talking chair and yoga enthusiast named Boris, and a pair of spirited chess pieces, and sets out on an epic quest to help his new friends solve their problems. Along the way, Iggie and friends encounter the nefarious washing machine, Lazarus Gallington, and begin to uncover the mystery of the flooded town. Throughout his epic quest, Iggie discovers the value of friendship while also discovering what -h needs to be done to save the entire village--before it's too late!"--Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

Moving to a new town can be a scary experience, especially when all of your things begin to come alive! In this whimsical, thrilling new series, a lonely boy named Iggie forms an unlikely band of heroes to overcome adversity and discover the importance of true friendship.

2023 AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION BEST GRAPHIC NOVEL FOR CHILDREN READING LIST HONOREE

Nine-year-old Iggie is the new kid in the town of Peculiar Woods, and nothing about his new home is familiar. So how is he supposed to make friends when he's not allowed to talk to strangers?

On his first night in the strange new town, Iggie gets lost in the woods, where he discovers he can speak to inanimate objects. He soon teams up with his blanket, Faye, a talking chair and yoga enthusiast named Boris, and a pair of spirited chess pieces, and sets out on an epic quest to help his new friends solve their problems. Along the way, Iggie and friends encounter the nefarious washing machine, Lazarus Gallington, and begin to uncover the mystery of the flooded town. Throughout his epic quest, Iggie discovers the value of friendship while also discovering what needs to be done to save the entire village--before it's too late!

With a rich, enchanting story and artwork reminiscent of The Brave Little Toaster, Adventure Time, Hilda, and other children's classics, Peculiar Woods will enchant young readers with its stories of unlikely heroism, friendship, and adventure.

Review Quotes

"Imaginative worldbuilding and adventure mixed with unique characters and quirky humor." Kirkus Reviews (Kirkus Reviews)

"[A] gently eerie graphic novel series opener. [S]oftly rounded illustrations rendered in an autumnal palette depict Iggie's loneliness and struggle to fit in, and personify the objects' bizarre personalities, to deliver a cozy adventure."
(Publishers Weekly)

"Cartoonish illustrations just this side of absurd and a balance of witty and meaningful dialogue clearly distinguish the inanimate objects' characteristics and personalities, while the breezy panels expertly pace the heroes' quest[.]" (Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books)

"This offbeat story utilizes the fantasy genre admirably, teaching young readers about the importance of friendship and showing how fear can often be the fuel for true courage and bravery. Peculiar Woods features excellently paced illustrations and full-color panel work that help elevate the story." (Booklist)

About the Author

Andrés J. Colmenares is a cartoonist and illustrator from Bogota, Colombia, and the creator of the beloved Wawawiwa Comics. With more than 3.5 million social fans, his work is a sweet and sincere space for these anxious times. He lives with his wife and two children, who inspire him to create empathetic and endearing content for his fans.