OTIS & PEANUT FIND A WAY

Two friends embrace uncertainty and melancholy.

Otis, an anthropomorphic long-haired guinea pig, is uncomfortable and sad across all three stories in this graphic novel as he confronts travel anxieties, deals with long-term grief, and prepares to visit his sister Marion. An opening visual of him staring forlornly across a hilly road sums up his worldview pretty well. Fortunately, he continues to have a friend in Peanut, a naked mole rat whose joie de vivre is always on full display, whether he’s waxing rhapsodic about the prospect of travel, snacks, or presents. Most importantly, he’s a reassuring presence for Otis, supporting him as he reminisces about Pearl, Peanut’s late sister. Notably, while Otis’ worries about traveling and making the most of his brief visit with Marion are resolved, his grief isn’t treated as a problem to be solved. Peanut’s exuberance never crosses the line into crass or obnoxious territory. Marion is a ray of sunshine to both boys as she invites them on a new adventure. The art style renders characters in black, white, and gray, with touches of magenta for nose, ears, and tongue. Backgrounds are frequently yellow, teal, or magenta, always in contrasting yet soothing configurations that, much like Otis’ and Peanut’s divergent personalities, make for comforting reading.

Emotionally honest conversations that figuratively and literally send these heroes to new places.