04/01/2023
Gr 4–8—An adorable shape-shifting monster named Pebble undergoes a rite of passage by venturing out of the forest they call home and into the human world. While many of the houses populated by people seem unsavory, one in particular stands out for its welcome sign: the home of Wren and her two fathers. The two become fast friends, with Wren readily agreeing to help Pebble—who sports two large horns, two big eyes, stretchy arms, and is an orange, kidney shape—discover their special skill that is necessary to return home. While the search for Pebble's unique talent is challenging, Wren demonstrates a knack for many things, including reading, playing games, possessing a detailed knowledge of rocket ships and space travel, skeletal anatomy, and the science of heat and refrigeration, which she happily imparts to her new friend. Nine chapters, with the majority of spreads featuring four panels on each page filled with comical and engaging dialogue, show their friendship naturally grow and flourish, including solving a Halloween costume crisis together, venturing into the monster forest to retrieve a prized possession, and the ability to "think-talk," or telepathically communicate, with each other. The heartwarming conclusion reveals Pebble's special skill and the promise of a continued friendship. VERDICT Quirky and charming, this graphic novel with themes of friendship and being one's self will find a home in many collections.—Olivia Gorecke
02/20/2023
At his parents’ insistence, Pebble—a mustard-colored, shape-shifting creature with two horns—reluctantly embarks on a rite of passage for young monsters, leaving his cozy cave home and venturing into the nearby human town to unlock his innate monster skills in a series of episodic tales. His search for a host family is met with lawn signs spurning monster visitors, until he encounters the home where snappish Wren lives with Dad and Papa, who declare “monsters welcome.” But Pebble is hesitant to grow into his ghoulishness, and he’s lonely in his temporary abode beneath Wren’s bed. In a show of compassion, Wren joins him there, cementing their newfound friendship. As their adventures unfold, Wren regales her beastly companion with stories of the human world; Pebble, meanwhile, tutors Wren on important monster matters. The slice-of-life narratives often run into each other without clear delineation, resulting in inconsistent, sometimes confusing plotting, but Wren and Pebble’s developing friendship lends a stabilizing through line. Based on a webcomic, Hallbeck’s hijinks-filled graphic novel, rendered using bold outlines and richly colored illustrations, is filled with humor and sweet gestures of connection alike. Wren and Papa are depicted with pale skin; Dad cues as Black. Ages 8–12. (Apr.)
A perfect graphic novel: sweet and hilarious with poignant moments.” — — Zach Weinersmith, creator of Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal
“Chris is one of the funnies comic writers out there . . . when you combine his seemingly endless jokes with the sweetness of Pebble and Wren, the result is a complete delight." — — James Stewart, creator of Dinos and Comics
"A delightfully imaginative and silly adventure." — — Nathan Pyle, creator of Strange Planet
“Chris Hallbeck brings an indelible charm to everything he does and Pebble & Wren is no exception. It's surprisingly wholesome for a story about a horned, shape-shifting monster living under a kid's bed. Chris even manages to sneak in little learning moments without taking anything away from the fun (I learned why we feel dizzy after spinning around!).” — — J. L. Westover, creator of Mr. Lovenstein
“Pebble and Wren is unique, cute, and really fun. My kids are going to love this!” — — Nick Seluk, creator of The Awkward Yeti
"Hallbeck’s tidy narrative emerges from a format largely consisting of four easy-to-follow frames per page. The nine chapters feel episodic but are winningly tied together by the [Pebble and Wren's] developing understanding of each other, achieved through ordinary life and a few extraordinary moments [that] feel both magical and natural . . . Endearing and slightly offbeat." — Kirkus Reviews
"Quirky and charming, this graphic novel with themes of friendship and being one’s self will find a home in many collections." — School Library Journal
Hallbeck’s hijinks-filled graphic novel, rendered using bold outlines and richly colored illustrations, is filled with humor and sweet gestures of connection alike. — Publishers Weekly
2023-01-12
A young monster makes a human friend.
When Pebble, who is ungendered, must venture out of the hidden forest and into the world of humans (to unlock their skills, a monster rite of passage according to their parents), everything seems daunting. But one house is welcoming: It’s populated by Wren, a human child with black hair and light skin, and her two fathers, one brown-skinned and one pale. Pebble is a shape-shifter and by default is a stout, orange bean shape with two big eyes; skinny, stretchy arms; and two large horns. The little monster is fond of food or, in fact, anything that can be eaten, including books, rocks, and furniture. Pebble’s special skill seems elusive as the pair become close friends. Wren, however, has talents of her own. She enjoys explaining things and instructing Pebble on a variety of topics: moon phases, humans’ inner ear structure and skeletal anatomy, and the thermodynamics of refrigeration. Hallbeck’s tidy narrative emerges from a format largely consisting of four easy-to-follow frames per page. The nine chapters feel episodic but are winningly tied together by the pair’s developing understanding of each other, achieved through ordinary life and a few extraordinary moments. An adventure into the monsters’ forest to retrieve a special pen, a shared dream sequence, and Wren’s learning to communicate telepathically with Pebble feel both magical and natural—so much so that Pebble doesn’t realize their special skill has actually been found.
Endearing and slightly offbeat. (Graphic fantasy. 8-12)
