Wildful
By (Author) Kengo Kurimoto
Pushkin Children's Books
Pushkin Children's Books
22nd July 2025
8th May 2025
United Kingdom
General
Fiction
Fiction: narrative themes
Hardback
216
Width 245mm, Height 172mm, Spine 245mm
Discover the magic of the wild in this breathtaking graphic novel reminiscent of The Secret Garden.
Poppys mother hasnt been the same since Gran passed away. She stays inside and watches TV, unable to leave the sofa. So maybe thats why Poppy has started spending more time outside, taking her dog Pepper for walks around the neighbourhood. When Pepper leads Poppy through a hole in the fence, she finds a forgotten wood thats been there all along, as well as a new friend named Rob.
Rob teaches Poppy that you can find magic in the wild - if you know where to look! Poppy looks, and then she looks closer ... and sees flowers opening before her eyes, watches animals slip into their hidden homes, and listens to the sound of water droplets falling gently on puddles, leaves and feathers. She can barely wait to tell Mum about everything she's seen, and asks her to come see, too - but her mother rarely has the energy to leave the house. Will Poppy ever be able help her mother see the beauty in the woods - and in life
This beautifully illustrated graphic novel is an exploration of grief, love, and finding magic in the wild- and in ourselves.
'A gentle, poignant tale of awakening to the subtle, healing wonders of the wild' - Kirkus Reviews
'A gorgeous graphic novel about the joy of discovering nature and the grief of losing a family member... Lighthearted and uplifting, but also emotional. This one brought tears to my eyes' - Erica Talks Books
'Kengo Kurimotos stunning debut graphic novel celebrates the wonders of nature in near-wordless visual perfection' - Shelf Awareness
'A story of relationships and connection ... A necessary addition for celebrating the outdoors' - School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW
'A magical showcase of non-verbal storytelling ... Modeling pure innocence, Wildful is an outstanding graphic novel in which people discover the healing power of nature' - Foreword, STARRED REVIEW
Kengo Kurimoto spends most of his time either making things or admiring things. Whether hes creating books, sculptures, animations or console games, it always begins with a seed of something admired; be it the awesome mystery of the natural world or the incredible ingenuity of our own kind. He loves to live in a creative universe. Wildful is his debut graphic novel. He lives in the United Kingdom.