The kid (or warthog) is a typical kid/hog in Beneath the Trees: First Spring by Dav. Not too bright, but curious (and that is not a negative comment, just an observation as babies do not have the intellect to understand things and have informed knowledge of the world around them). We quickly learn that the baby is allergic to flowers it seems, and they become scared every time they sneeze because of it. To the point that they throw one heck of a hissy fit when the father is trying to pick flowers for the mother at a later point in the day, as they do not want to be outside. And if you do not like snot images, you have been warned, there are scenes with some seriously green mucus!
At this point I am not digging this story. The father just wants the kid to enjoy outside, see butterflies, pick flowers for the mother, and have a good time. And the poor father must deal with some creative solutions to keep the child safe inside while he gathers flowers. And he must deal with rain, and bees and catching a cold himself. And (SPOILER from here on) finally he can take the child outside (when it sees that sneezing is not scary, dad is funny (I mean roll on the floor laughing funny) when he sneezes and trumpets the old nose). And they gather flowers. To put on the mother’s grave.
WAIT A MINUTE! WHAAAAAAAAAAAATT? What is going on? All that for us to find out THAT is why he wants flowers???????? Depressing much? But also, that is sweet.
And the illustrations are sweet, too. Cartoonish, but not cartoony, they are colorful, minimal details but expressive and flow with the story. Everything has a classic feeling to it (as if it might be from the 1950s or 1960s) and a non-American tone. I would say it reminds me of Scandinavian translations I have read, or The Smurfs come to mind.
Know you reader as this is not for everyone due to the quick, but important part, of the ending. This seems to be part of seasonal four part series by the artist/author Dav.