Brielle and Bear: Volume 1: (A Graphic Novel)

by Salomey Doku

Overview

A tale as old as time refreshed for modern readers. This Beauty and the Beast retelling captures the magic and romance of first-year university students Brielle and Bear and the fairytale they are destined to live.

Once upon a time, Brielle met Bear. And then they fell in love. 

But that's just the beginning. Fairytales have a way of twisting and swirling before you get to "happily ever after." And though modern-day Once Upon a Time University first-year, Brielle, is a dreamer, always with her nose in a book, her imagination can't help but run wild with potential romance. 

To her, Bear is perfect. . . until Brielle discovers a secret he's been hiding for a long time that just might shatter their fairytale love. . . .

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780593711200
Publisher:	Random House Children's Books
Publication date:	04/22/2025
Series:	Once Upon a Time University
Sold by:	Random House
Format:	eBook
Pages:	208
File size:	86 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	12 Years

About the Author

SALOMEY DOKU is a self-taught freelance author-illustrator from Leeds, England. Originally trained in architecture, in which she worked for over 3 years, she started watercolour painting in 2018 and quickly fell in love with the art of storytelling. She is an ardent lover of kids books and bubble tea, and is inspired by her diverse community, the natural world, and all things bright and beautiful. When she is not drawing, she is either daydreaming, going on long walks around Yorkshire, jetting off on international city breaks, at church, or talking to her pet hedgehog Strawberry.

Editorial Reviews

04/21/2025

As an English major and bookshop assistant at Once upon a Time University, Brielle Da Rosa, who is depicted with vitiligo and heterochromia, believes she knows everything there is to know about fairy tales. And though she yearns to experience “the magic... the drama... the romance” of her beloved stories, she’s certain that romance like that only happens in books. Then, while distracted at work, she collides with humble, soft-spoken rugby team co-captain Bear. Though their meet-cute is disrupted by Brielle’s popular rival Pavão and a trio of sibling cheerleaders, Bear soon becomes all Brielle can think about. Simultaneously, Bear is consumed by thoughts of Brielle, so much so that his best friends and teammates tease him about his crush-like symptoms. Over the course of Brielle and Bear’s first semester, which debut graphic novelist Doku conveys via dreamy oranges, pinks, and yellows, the pair grow closer as they navigate tropey romantic trials such as misunderstandings and meddling peers. Doku introduces the large cast, portrayed with a variety of skin tones, in a rapid-fire sequence that mimics the gently whimsical love story’s episodic cadence. Ages 12–up. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

"A fun, feel-good ­romance about a sports star falling for a book nerd." —School Library Journal

From the Publisher

02/01/2025

Gr 9 Up—Brielle Da Rosa and her best friend, Rosalie, are first years at Once Upon a Time University. When she's not daydreaming at her job as a bookstore assistant, Brielle is reading fairy tales, playing the piano, or thinking about books. When Atohi, aka Bear, comes into the shop, Brielle is intrigued by him—a tall guy holding a romance book is not something she sees every day. The next time she meets him, they begin a friendship. Bear, a star player on the Prince rugby team, is initially shy, but after encouragement from Brielle, he lets his guard down and reveals that he was bullied as a child, loves poetry, plays the cello, and is dyslexic. Though he's afraid to share his secrets with his friends, Bear is comforted by Brielle, who makes him realize that people can accept him for who he is. With delightful, colorful artwork, this graphic novel features a sweet, upbeat story. Doku's clean, straightforward plot gives Disney vibes. The story flows nicely, although some readers may need more depth about the issues the characters face, such as Bear's learning disability and Brielle's grief after losing her mother. The several side stories explore friendship, family, and trust. VERDICT A fun, feel-good romance about a sports star falling for a book nerd. Recommended for libraries looking for entertaining romance graphic novels.—Karin Greenberg

School Library Journal

2025-01-18
Brielle knows all the rules of the fairy tale, but will Bear follow them?

Brielle Da Rosa, a Portuguese British self-proclaimed fairy-tale expert, attends the aptly named Once Upon a Time University. While she’s working at a bookshop, she literally runs into Atohi “Bear” Yonas, an American who’s “Hispanic/mixed” and a star rugby player. They’re instantly smitten, and after a series of encounters, they’re finally brought together—but various challenges arise, calling into question whether the relationship will last. Doku uses text boxes throughout the graphic novel to list fairy-tale rules (“A good fairy tale isn’t complete without…a good villain”) and introduce side characters (“Pavão Castelo: Socialite and most popular boy on campus”). She also includes some thoughtful discussion around triggers. The art is beautifully executed, with the seasons and color palette changing in tandem. Although Brielle has vitiligo, the illustration style makes it difficult to notice; readers may only realize she has this condition because it’s explicitly mentioned. It can become hard to track the subplots because insufficient time is given to building any attachment to the story’s numerous side characters. Some hopeless romantics will be satisfied by this sweet and simple tale, although it lacks the emotional punch for readers seeking something with substance.

A fluffy fairy tale that’s enjoyable but not particularly memorable. (artist’s note, character designs, location designs, visual development, process notes, Bear’s journal, the cast)(Graphic romance. 12-18)

Kirkus Reviews