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The Baker and the Bard
Author-artist Fern Haught weaves an enchanting, gentle fantasy tale of friendship, determination, and respecting nature in their debut graphic novel.
Juniper and Hadley have a good thing going in Larkspur, spending their respective days apprenticing at a little bakery and performing at the local inn. But when a stranger places an unusual order at the bakery, the two friends (and Hadley’s pet snake, Fern) set out on a journey to forage the magical mushrooms needed to make the requested galette pastries.
Along the way, Juniper and Hadley stumble across a mystery too compelling to ignore: Something has been coming out of the woods at night and eating the local farmers' crops, leaving behind a trail of glowing goo. Intent on finally going on an adventure that could fuel their bardic craft, Hadley tows Juniper into the woods to investigate.
What started as a simple errand to pick mushrooms soon turns into a thrilling quest to save some furry new friends―and their caretaker, a soft-spoken little fey named Thistle―who are in danger of losing their home.
Juniper and Hadley have a good thing going in Larkspur, spending their respective days apprenticing at a little bakery and performing at the local inn. But when a stranger places an unusual order at the bakery, the two friends (and Hadley’s pet snake, Fern) set out on a journey to forage the magical mushrooms needed to make the requested galette pastries.
Along the way, Juniper and Hadley stumble across a mystery too compelling to ignore: Something has been coming out of the woods at night and eating the local farmers' crops, leaving behind a trail of glowing goo. Intent on finally going on an adventure that could fuel their bardic craft, Hadley tows Juniper into the woods to investigate.
What started as a simple errand to pick mushrooms soon turns into a thrilling quest to save some furry new friends―and their caretaker, a soft-spoken little fey named Thistle―who are in danger of losing their home.
160 pages, Paperback
First published March 5, 2024
About the author
Fern Haught
1 book38 followersFern Haught is an illustrator and author currently based in Cleveland, OH. They love to tell stories about queer people set in fantasy worlds. Their picture books and graphic novels often incorporate magic and focus on characters and their relationships.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 320 reviews
February 20, 2024
so cute, so cozy!! bugs, mushrooms, bread!! music and adventure!!
comparisons to the tea dragon society series are apt. i adore sweet, short, comforting reads like these. and in the case of this book, every detail is absolutely adorable, including the super queer character designs, the caterpillar-dappled endpapers, the cozy forest landscapes, and the recipe for mushroom galette at the end of the book!! truly a delight.
the big beautiful moths are my favorite. riding on one of those gentle and majestic creatures? what a dream!
i wouldn't have minded a longer story to get to know the characters better. but i think the brevity is fitting for a simple fable like this one. and perhaps a sequel will follow?
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for providing me with a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
comparisons to the tea dragon society series are apt. i adore sweet, short, comforting reads like these. and in the case of this book, every detail is absolutely adorable, including the super queer character designs, the caterpillar-dappled endpapers, the cozy forest landscapes, and the recipe for mushroom galette at the end of the book!! truly a delight.
the big beautiful moths are my favorite. riding on one of those gentle and majestic creatures? what a dream!
i wouldn't have minded a longer story to get to know the characters better. but i think the brevity is fitting for a simple fable like this one. and perhaps a sequel will follow?
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for providing me with a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
March 30, 2024
If you like The Tea Dragon Society, cozy fantasy, or gentle and comforting comics, you have to pick this one up. I want a hundred more just like it.
Full review at the Lesbrary.
Full review at the Lesbrary.
September 26, 2023
This graphic novel fits perfectly into the cosy fantasy trend. Its comps are The Tea Dragon Society and Legends and Latte, and those really hold up.
This is such a quick, lovely read, and super cosy and heartwarming. I'll definitely pick up a finished copy so I can reread this whenever I need a comfort read.
This is such a quick, lovely read, and super cosy and heartwarming. I'll definitely pick up a finished copy so I can reread this whenever I need a comfort read.
April 4, 2024
The art here was lovely--I also found the creatures in this to be strange and ethereal. It's definitely a story for children I think, so I can't appreciate the straightforward nature of it much, but that's alright.
March 17, 2024
2.5
Cozy doesn't have to mean boring.
It was fine to pass the time, but the story and dialogue were just a bit too simple, even for being a ya book. I also didn't feel like I knew the characters at all.
Cozy doesn't have to mean boring.
It was fine to pass the time, but the story and dialogue were just a bit too simple, even for being a ya book. I also didn't feel like I knew the characters at all.
August 12, 2023
Cozy fantasy graphic novel? Sign me up.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. This is Fern Haught's debut graphic novel. They craft stories set in magical worlds with diverse characters. If you enjoyed graphic novels like Crumbs or Mooncakes, check out The Baker and the Bard. It's a cute and cozy little read, with likeable characters. My favorite part was the recipe illustrations!
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. This is Fern Haught's debut graphic novel. They craft stories set in magical worlds with diverse characters. If you enjoyed graphic novels like Crumbs or Mooncakes, check out The Baker and the Bard. It's a cute and cozy little read, with likeable characters. My favorite part was the recipe illustrations!
March 26, 2024
Underwhelming and dare I say too simple? I try to stay away from that descriptor with YA novels as they are obviously meant for a younger audience. In this case, the underdeveloped story and poorly addressed themes do not serve as methods to enhance understanding amongst younger readers but are the result of a lack of understanding for what the story is or could be. What saved it from being a 1 star are the art and characters design. The art is so beautifully crafted and the characters have a lot of potential. With a dialed in plot and maybe more pages to flesh everything out - these characters could easily weave together in a high star read.
February 19, 2024
The art style was lovely, but the plot and characters were so simplistic. Definitely should be a middle grade rather than YA.
February 25, 2024
This book was so much fun! Sweet, thoughtful, and beautiful, The Baker and the Bard was comforting in a way I didn’t even know I needed. Although relatively short, I deeply connected with Juniper, Hadley, and this entire world—a fantasy world with a feeling of such normalcy that I immediately was sucked into it. The characters were truly lovely; in particular, Juniper and Hadley’s interactions felt so realistic, and their friendship consistently made me smile. I also loved the queer/nonbinary characters, whose acceptance in this world fit so well and made me think of A Psalm for the Wild-Built.
The illustrations were bright and fun, and helped make this book a quick read while moving at a relaxing, leisurely pace. I particularly loved the frequent full-page illustrations, which contributed such a sense of place and atmosphere to the story. Although often relatively simple, they were perfectly expressive, and the primarily pastel color palette helped maintain the quiet, open mood of the story. If you love graphic novels or just feel-good reads, this is definitely a book I'd highly recommend!
An e-ARC of this book was provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The illustrations were bright and fun, and helped make this book a quick read while moving at a relaxing, leisurely pace. I particularly loved the frequent full-page illustrations, which contributed such a sense of place and atmosphere to the story. Although often relatively simple, they were perfectly expressive, and the primarily pastel color palette helped maintain the quiet, open mood of the story. If you love graphic novels or just feel-good reads, this is definitely a book I'd highly recommend!
An e-ARC of this book was provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 12, 2023
Short, sweet, and colorful! I loved the fantasy elements, the small adventure, and especially loved Hadley's character. I almost wish it was longer, though, to flesh out the characters and world even more.
Thanks very much to Netgalley for the earc.
Thanks very much to Netgalley for the earc.
October 27, 2023
Trigger Warnings: snake, coming out
Representation: They/them pronouns, Nonbinary
The Baker and the Bard is a cozy fantasy adventure in the form of a graphic novel in which two best friends set out on a journey for ingredients to fulfill an unusual bakery order and get caught up in matters of ecological destruction in the realm of the fey.
This eARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Very cute and very short story. There isn’t much to the plot but a great quick read for anyone into fantasy!
Representation: They/them pronouns, Nonbinary
The Baker and the Bard is a cozy fantasy adventure in the form of a graphic novel in which two best friends set out on a journey for ingredients to fulfill an unusual bakery order and get caught up in matters of ecological destruction in the realm of the fey.
This eARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Very cute and very short story. There isn’t much to the plot but a great quick read for anyone into fantasy!
October 20, 2023
4.5 // This was such an adorable cozy fantasy! This is perfect for the genre; low-stakes, and yet manages to suck you in! I loved the beautiful nature scenes and the queer characters, as well as the amazing creatures and faeries! This is a perfect addition to the emerging cozy fantasy genre and I will definitely be recommending this is released.
Thank you to NetGalley and F&F for the free eARC in exchange for review.
Thank you to NetGalley and F&F for the free eARC in exchange for review.
March 17, 2024
Awwwww, I love it. So cute and sweet. I just wish it had been longer with more detail and time with the characters. I would love a sequel.
February 21, 2024
this was such a sweet graphic novel! the art style is so beautiful and the story itself was so wholesome. the characters are going on an adventure to find an ingredient for an order at their bakery and they make a new friend along the way.
i do wish the story was a bit more fleshed out because it didn’t feel fully developed, i feel like it would’ve benefitted from being a bit longer. some of the dialogue also felt a little disjointed from the main story, i wish it felt more seamless.
overall, this was a sweet graphic novel with stunning illustrations and i would recommend it if you’re looking for a quick cozy fantasy read!
thank you to netgalley and macmillan children’s for the arc in exchange for an honest review! 🤍
i do wish the story was a bit more fleshed out because it didn’t feel fully developed, i feel like it would’ve benefitted from being a bit longer. some of the dialogue also felt a little disjointed from the main story, i wish it felt more seamless.
overall, this was a sweet graphic novel with stunning illustrations and i would recommend it if you’re looking for a quick cozy fantasy read!
thank you to netgalley and macmillan children’s for the arc in exchange for an honest review! 🤍
November 13, 2023
Ok so I’m rating this on a sliding scale as I believe this has been mislabeled in the genre. This should be middle grade and feels a little too simplistic for a young adult novel. The art is very reminiscent of Tea Dragon Society but where that book has depth both in story and art, this felt a little too basic and lacking in detail. This is the authors debut though so try not too be too critical! The art is gorgeous and there is room for so much growth!
August 11, 2023
WHAT A FUN STORY
THE BAKER & THE BARD gives the energy of if LEGENDS & LATTES was a graphic novel. It's a fun, quick read about two best friends going on an adventure to fulfill a unique bakery order and, in the process, helping the neighboring town solve a mystery.
This book has everything you want from a graphic novel--adorable art, wholesome characters, excellent humor--I really enjoyed it.
Hadley, the Bard, immediately made a place for themselves in my heart and I will protect them at all costs.
For a number of reasons, I wouldn't have minded if this story was a bit longer! There's no explanation, even a brief one, about how the magic works. Hadley seems to have magic, but Juniper doesn't. And the fey has magic, but theirs seems to be different than Hadley's. In addition, Hadley's goal in the beginning was to create music that made their audience feel something, and that was never resolved.
However, in all, this was a fun story that I'd definitely recommend picking up!
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
THE BAKER & THE BARD gives the energy of if LEGENDS & LATTES was a graphic novel. It's a fun, quick read about two best friends going on an adventure to fulfill a unique bakery order and, in the process, helping the neighboring town solve a mystery.
This book has everything you want from a graphic novel--adorable art, wholesome characters, excellent humor--I really enjoyed it.
Hadley, the Bard, immediately made a place for themselves in my heart and I will protect them at all costs.
For a number of reasons, I wouldn't have minded if this story was a bit longer! There's no explanation, even a brief one, about how the magic works. Hadley seems to have magic, but Juniper doesn't. And the fey has magic, but theirs seems to be different than Hadley's. In addition, Hadley's goal in the beginning was to create music that made their audience feel something, and that was never resolved.
However, in all, this was a fun story that I'd definitely recommend picking up!
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
March 26, 2024
Sometimes I want a book full of beautiful pictures that also tells a story. The Baker & the Bard gave me all of the same
cosy fantasy feels of The Tea Dragon Society and I loved that so much. I’m always here for a queer story and I feel like it really delivered on that front.
Hadley & Juniper felt like a young teenage couple that started out as friends and grew to love one another as they figured themselves out, which is exactly what happened. The adventure to find glowing mushrooms helped to bring them closer together, as well as make new friends.
I loved that we got a strong message about gender not being as binary as we think it is. Things aren’t all black and white, so we shouldn’t treat them that way.
The only real negative I saw in the story was the length. We didn’t get enough time to really see the full amount of growth or to really fall in love with the characters fully. I would have loved another 40+ pages, but that could be me.
Overall, this was really sweet and I loved it. I need more from the author immediately!
cosy fantasy feels of The Tea Dragon Society and I loved that so much. I’m always here for a queer story and I feel like it really delivered on that front.
Hadley & Juniper felt like a young teenage couple that started out as friends and grew to love one another as they figured themselves out, which is exactly what happened. The adventure to find glowing mushrooms helped to bring them closer together, as well as make new friends.
I loved that we got a strong message about gender not being as binary as we think it is. Things aren’t all black and white, so we shouldn’t treat them that way.
The only real negative I saw in the story was the length. We didn’t get enough time to really see the full amount of growth or to really fall in love with the characters fully. I would have loved another 40+ pages, but that could be me.
Overall, this was really sweet and I loved it. I need more from the author immediately!
March 5, 2024
I was initially drawn to this book because it was marketed as being perfect for fans of The Tea Dragon Society, Legends & Lattes, and Animal Crossing and it did not disappoint!
This graphic novel follows the journey of Juniper and Hadley as they embark on an adventure to forage mushrooms for a large order of pastries. This simple mission turns into a whimsical adventure taking them through the woods in order to help Thistle, a little fey in need of help.
This graphic novel was short, cute, and very cozy! With all of the story problems being quite low stakes, I would absolutely categorize this as a cozy fantasy and perfect for fans of any of the aforementioned media above. I cannot wait to pick up a copy of this for my personal library!
Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for providing an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This graphic novel follows the journey of Juniper and Hadley as they embark on an adventure to forage mushrooms for a large order of pastries. This simple mission turns into a whimsical adventure taking them through the woods in order to help Thistle, a little fey in need of help.
This graphic novel was short, cute, and very cozy! With all of the story problems being quite low stakes, I would absolutely categorize this as a cozy fantasy and perfect for fans of any of the aforementioned media above. I cannot wait to pick up a copy of this for my personal library!
Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for providing an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 14, 2023
Absolutely adorable graphic novel about friends, baking and what it means to be who you really are! This is a cozy fantasy that reminds me of legends and lattes. Non-binary rep, and acceptance of who they are as a fae is so subtle but so impactful! I will for sure be snagging a copy of this for my shelf!
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to review!
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to review!
February 25, 2024
A very cute and cozy children's fantasy graphic novel! This has a baker and a bard (with a cute little snake) end up on an adventure.
The artwork was great, and this is a bit simpler of a story, but for the audience it's intended for - this would be a very fun "first fantasy/rpg inspired book" for young readers!
The artwork was great, and this is a bit simpler of a story, but for the audience it's intended for - this would be a very fun "first fantasy/rpg inspired book" for young readers!
March 17, 2024
This was such a cozy read! You follow a baker and a bard, shocking I know, on a small little adventure to gather some mushrooms. They end up on their own little side quest and it was so fun. The art work was unique yet beautiful and the story was intriguing. I loved the world the story was set in and I can’t wait to see more from this author!
March 4, 2024
I'll share a put together review on Tuesday!
March 7, 2024
okay this was super cute
March 25, 2024
The art was absolutely lovely as was the story, despite the simplicity in both aspects.
March 30, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
Cozy fantasy low stress dnd campaign vibes, & incredibly wholesome & heartwarming Nonbinary rep
Cozy fantasy low stress dnd campaign vibes, & incredibly wholesome & heartwarming Nonbinary rep
August 20, 2023
Once upon a time, there's a bard who's struggling to find inspiration and a baker who wanted to open her own bakery someday. they're best friends. One day the baker's employer needed help to find a rare ingredient for a special order. so they went to fetch that ingredient while also going on a little adventure.
This is truly a cozy fantasy, simple but heartwarming. the soft coloring also adds to serene and magical atmosphere. I love this.
This is truly a cozy fantasy, simple but heartwarming. the soft coloring also adds to serene and magical atmosphere. I love this.
April 2, 2024
This was so wonderful! The art was magical!!! I would have liked to spend longer in the story but I can’t imagine the time each illustration took
March 15, 2024
This was cute! It has similar vibes to The Tea Dragon Society and Legends & Lattes. The story is short and easy to follow, so I think this book would work well for all ages. The art is whimsical and colorful. The focus on bugs, nature, and baking gave me Studio Ghibli feels. There's queer characters, including a nonbinary main character, and the whole world seems welcoming to all.
*I received an eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
*I received an eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
April 8, 2024
I felt like this book was “What if Mooncakes meets Legends and Lattes?” I loved every moment of it, especially the care and color that went into the illustrations. So gorgeous and a lovely story!
August 2, 2023
* Thanks Netgalley for the free e-arc of this book.
I really liked this heartwarming cozy mystery about Juniper and Hadley working in a bakery who are sent on an adventure to find the missing ingredient for a customer's order. I enjoyed the mention of magic and the way that they worked to help protect nature for Thistle and her friends. I also enjoyed how the relationship between Juniper and Hadley was able to develop more towards the end of the story.
The only thing that I did not love about this story was that the beginning felt somewhat rushed, especially when it came to understanding background about Hadley's performances.
4 stars
I really liked this heartwarming cozy mystery about Juniper and Hadley working in a bakery who are sent on an adventure to find the missing ingredient for a customer's order. I enjoyed the mention of magic and the way that they worked to help protect nature for Thistle and her friends. I also enjoyed how the relationship between Juniper and Hadley was able to develop more towards the end of the story.
The only thing that I did not love about this story was that the beginning felt somewhat rushed, especially when it came to understanding background about Hadley's performances.
4 stars
Displaying 1 - 30 of 320 reviews