THE MYSTERY OF THE TREE STUMP GHOST

Three sisters investigate a mysterious tree stump in their newest graphic adventure.

In this follow-up to May’s Wild Walk (2017), the Whiskers sisters—Mia, a yellow-eyed, teal-blue cat; pink-haired, antlered Maya; and orange-haired, pink-eyed baby May—find their quiet night with their forest-guardian grandfather interrupted when a talking forest creature comes seeking his help. After Grandpa leaves, a fox then shows up also imploring Grandpa’s assistance, as her kit has fallen into a hole. With Grandpa gone, the girls set out to help. Will the girls be able to find the baby fox and solve the mystery of both the hole and the enigmatic stump? Adorable whimsy flows sweetly throughout this volume; fans of all things pink and cute will enjoy this niche read with its pleasing, candy-colored palette and occasional, luscious two-page spreads. However, a hasty-feeling plot with an overly tidy resolution makes the worldbuilding feel rushed and disjointed. The real connection to be made here is through the illustrations, as readers are kept at arm’s length from any real character development: the sisters are merely stylized objects with little personality. Although it is the second in a series, this volume holds up well as a stand-alone adventure, and for those who can get lost in the sugary-sweet art, it makes for a fine jumping-in point.

Visually appealing but uneven.