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Welcome to the Forest #1
Welcome to the Forest: The Harvest Party
A group of quirky forest creatures embark on heartwarming adventures in this graphic novel series opener featuring original gouache art. Perfect for beginning readers and graphic novel fans, especially those who love the Studio Ghibli films and Tove Jansson's Moomin. Includes nonfiction information at the back of the book about the autumnal season.
Deep in the heart of the Forest lives a handful of monsters. The Forest is home to many creatures, big and small, boisterous Mossman, who is much kinder than he looks; cautious but cheerful Wallace; carefree, kind Grumpkin; and a sweet, mysterious entity named Shadow. The creatures prove that every day is an adventure as new discoveries draw them closer together.
In this book, readers will get a glimpse at the woodland creatures' lives and discover three bite-sized stories, perfect for the autumnal harvest season. In Welcome to the The Harvest Party, Mossman and Wallace decorate pumpkins, Grumpkin meets a new friend, and the creatures celebrate fall with a lively Harvest Party.
Cottagecore and Studio Ghibli meet in this graphic novel by debut author and illustrator Katie Risor. Risor's breathtaking gouache mixed-media illustrations shine throughout this graphic novel. It features a Dyslexia-friendly font and is perfect to share with emerging readers, English and Second Language (ESL) learners, and veteran graphic novel enthusiasts alike.
Deep in the heart of the Forest lives a handful of monsters. The Forest is home to many creatures, big and small, boisterous Mossman, who is much kinder than he looks; cautious but cheerful Wallace; carefree, kind Grumpkin; and a sweet, mysterious entity named Shadow. The creatures prove that every day is an adventure as new discoveries draw them closer together.
In this book, readers will get a glimpse at the woodland creatures' lives and discover three bite-sized stories, perfect for the autumnal harvest season. In Welcome to the The Harvest Party, Mossman and Wallace decorate pumpkins, Grumpkin meets a new friend, and the creatures celebrate fall with a lively Harvest Party.
Cottagecore and Studio Ghibli meet in this graphic novel by debut author and illustrator Katie Risor. Risor's breathtaking gouache mixed-media illustrations shine throughout this graphic novel. It features a Dyslexia-friendly font and is perfect to share with emerging readers, English and Second Language (ESL) learners, and veteran graphic novel enthusiasts alike.
80 pages, Hardcover
Published August 5, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
September 10, 2025
a lovely little addition to the recent trend of cozy graphic novels in the vein of k o'neill.
words are sparse in this collection of three short illustrated stories. we follow a group of funky lil forest friends as they carve pumpkins, fret over ghouls, pick apples, make new acquaintances, and prepare for a harvest party. i love the soft art style - it makes me want to sink right into the page. i also love the themes of companionship, care, and accommodation.
i only wish this were a bit longer, but i'm glad to see it will be part of a longer series. these sweet and weird lil characters definitely need more page time!
words are sparse in this collection of three short illustrated stories. we follow a group of funky lil forest friends as they carve pumpkins, fret over ghouls, pick apples, make new acquaintances, and prepare for a harvest party. i love the soft art style - it makes me want to sink right into the page. i also love the themes of companionship, care, and accommodation.
i only wish this were a bit longer, but i'm glad to see it will be part of a longer series. these sweet and weird lil characters definitely need more page time!
January 10, 2026
illustrations are adorable!
April 9, 2025
Grumpkin might just be the cutest critter I’ve ever seen!
February 28, 2026
The CUTEST illustrations!
March 21, 2026
Such a cute book for kids especially ones that are starting to read and want a Graphic Novel. The illustrations were adorable. I want my own Grumpkin.
May 23, 2025
These forest monsters know how to have fun and are more than happy to invite anyone they can to their parties.
There are monsters in the forest, and although they might first appear to be a bit scary, they are anything but. These monsters are all about friendship and sharing time with others. When they decide to have a harvest part, things don't always go as smoothly as first planned, but that doesn't mean it's time to give up. There are always new friends to make and new ideas to try...even if the situations get a bit out of control at times.
This is an adorable read for those, who have a pretty good grip on their words but need more practice. While set up like a graphic novel, the frames are larger than normal, meaning that there are at most three or four on a page. Usually less. The colors are bright and playful like that characters themselves, and the forest comes across as a very friendly place. Although monsters, the group is friendly and inviting. Readers will wish they could jump right in and join the bunch.
The book is divided into three stories, making it easy to set this one down for a break before picking it up again to continue. Or they can all be read at once, since they are very enjoyable. The endings are sometimes a bit abrupt, but they plots are very fitting to the age group and reading level.
It's a great beginning to a new series, and I'm looking forward to seeing what adventures these characters will be facing next. I'm giving this one 4.5 and rounding up
There are monsters in the forest, and although they might first appear to be a bit scary, they are anything but. These monsters are all about friendship and sharing time with others. When they decide to have a harvest part, things don't always go as smoothly as first planned, but that doesn't mean it's time to give up. There are always new friends to make and new ideas to try...even if the situations get a bit out of control at times.
This is an adorable read for those, who have a pretty good grip on their words but need more practice. While set up like a graphic novel, the frames are larger than normal, meaning that there are at most three or four on a page. Usually less. The colors are bright and playful like that characters themselves, and the forest comes across as a very friendly place. Although monsters, the group is friendly and inviting. Readers will wish they could jump right in and join the bunch.
The book is divided into three stories, making it easy to set this one down for a break before picking it up again to continue. Or they can all be read at once, since they are very enjoyable. The endings are sometimes a bit abrupt, but they plots are very fitting to the age group and reading level.
It's a great beginning to a new series, and I'm looking forward to seeing what adventures these characters will be facing next. I'm giving this one 4.5 and rounding up
November 18, 2025
Wallace, a fluffy yellow creature with a pointy tail, is delighted to find an invitation to a harvest party from M.M., his friend Mossman. When he goes to help Mossman, who’s a dwarf-like leafy green fellow, decorate for the party, they take different tacks carving pumpkins. Grumpkin, a little blue fellow with horns, collects apples for apple cake and meets Shadow, a little slip of a shadow, black and shy. They all come together for the party at the end after their various adventures.
Three short chapters show how the friends, who are all quite different from one another, navigate the party preparations. Brief text is secondary to the adorable hand executed gouache and colored pencil artwork in soft, warm leafy colors that places the story set in a cozy rural setting. Creative graphic panel arrangements abound, but are always easy to follow. A map on the endpapers shows The Forest’s neighborhood landmarks, and there’s simple guide to hosting a harvest party at the end. This cozy world full of gentle forest creatures will appeal to kids who like gentle nature themed stories. The publisher advertises the book as using a dyslexia-friendly font, which is a wonderful addition to the graphic novel canon.
The stories have very little dramatic tension, but it’s the first in a proposed series, so maybe the next book will be more exciting.
Three short chapters show how the friends, who are all quite different from one another, navigate the party preparations. Brief text is secondary to the adorable hand executed gouache and colored pencil artwork in soft, warm leafy colors that places the story set in a cozy rural setting. Creative graphic panel arrangements abound, but are always easy to follow. A map on the endpapers shows The Forest’s neighborhood landmarks, and there’s simple guide to hosting a harvest party at the end. This cozy world full of gentle forest creatures will appeal to kids who like gentle nature themed stories. The publisher advertises the book as using a dyslexia-friendly font, which is a wonderful addition to the graphic novel canon.
The stories have very little dramatic tension, but it’s the first in a proposed series, so maybe the next book will be more exciting.
July 18, 2025
Welcome to the Forest by Katie Risor 🍎
🍏 A beautifully drawn graphic book for children that instills the idea of community and kindness, had me "aww-ing" at every page! If you have a little one at home that is glued to the bright cartoons on screen, you can replace those with these extremely well-mannered characters who love to make friends and are planning to throw the best harvest party in the forest! It's a great way to introduce your child to the natural world and of course let them know the importance. This might be the cutest thing I've read this month, the soft shades are a delight!
🍏 Highly recommend this for young readers who've just begun their reading journey and we all know, the earlier, the best!
🍎 Thank you so much to @andrewsmcmeel @andrewsmcmeelkids @this_is_edelweiss for the advanced DRC! <3
🍏 A beautifully drawn graphic book for children that instills the idea of community and kindness, had me "aww-ing" at every page! If you have a little one at home that is glued to the bright cartoons on screen, you can replace those with these extremely well-mannered characters who love to make friends and are planning to throw the best harvest party in the forest! It's a great way to introduce your child to the natural world and of course let them know the importance. This might be the cutest thing I've read this month, the soft shades are a delight!
🍏 Highly recommend this for young readers who've just begun their reading journey and we all know, the earlier, the best!
🍎 Thank you so much to @andrewsmcmeel @andrewsmcmeelkids @this_is_edelweiss for the advanced DRC! <3
April 21, 2025
Graphic Novel
I received an electronic ARC from Andrews McMeel Publishing through Edelweiss+.
Younger readers will love these characters. They'll appreciate the fun and the work as Mossman decides to throw a party. Risor offers enough creepiness balanced with humor and fun to make this book work for elementary level readers. I appreciate how the characters care for each other and find solutions so everyone can be together. The artwork pulls readers in so they feel they are there too.
I received an electronic ARC from Andrews McMeel Publishing through Edelweiss+.
Younger readers will love these characters. They'll appreciate the fun and the work as Mossman decides to throw a party. Risor offers enough creepiness balanced with humor and fun to make this book work for elementary level readers. I appreciate how the characters care for each other and find solutions so everyone can be together. The artwork pulls readers in so they feel they are there too.
February 27, 2026
Children's graphic novel, early reader level. This caught my eye as it is a harvest story. It is split into three chapters- one about carving jack-o-lanterns, one about apples, and the third about the harvest party. The characters are colorful friendly looking monsters, a dog, and a shadow. This definitely fits the "cozy" trend that is popular right now in some children's books and video games. A cute simple story about celebrating with friends.
August 10, 2025
Cute quick read. The illustrations are beautiful!
Thank you Andrews McMeel publishing for my copy!
Thank you Andrews McMeel publishing for my copy!
August 13, 2025
yes this is a kids graphic novel but im gonna count it.
this was sooo cute and cosy
this was sooo cute and cosy
August 25, 2025
This is leveled for more the beginning or early reader for a graphic novel; too young for my target audience I'm looking for. Cute graphics.
December 26, 2025
This is so adorable. I love Grumpkin and Shadow.
April 5, 2026
Cozy read — not very much story
April 6, 2026
Beautiful illustrations, easy, low-stakes story. Perfect for a young reader to read themselves. The characters are incredibly adorable!
April 10, 2026
Such sweet art, characters, and storyline! Grumpkin & Shadow bffs <3
April 25, 2026
A fun fall book for kids.
May 2, 2026
6.6! 🤩
June 18, 2026
The story and illustrations of this book are quite interesting
July 13, 2026
I want to live inside this little watercolory Harvest Party
September 2, 2026
Such a cute beginner graphic novel 😭😭
September 24, 2026
Cute - men der kunne godt havde været lidt mere indhold. Den føltes desværre en smule tynd.
September 30, 2026
Eila's Review: "Nice pictures of the Forest. Mossman looks kinda weird. Shadow was so cute. I would've never made him sit in the sun."
June 15, 2025
So adorable! I love the art style! It's so cozy! I'm really glad shadow was able to enjoy the party!
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews