Book three of The Cardboard Kingdom graphic novel series is Snow and Sorcery. This is a series you need to read in order, but that is okay as book three is not due until early November 2023 and you will have plenty of time to read the first two Chad Sell books. There are various authors and illustrators (such as Barbara Perez Marquez and Manuel Betancourt) as well, but I forgot to write all their names down so I can add them to my review. And I am truly sorry for that and hope the rest of the very talents people forgive me for this.
Because each person and their unique talent(s) come into play with each different chapter. Written and illustrated by a different person (some do double duty) each story plays into the idea of these friends and the rivalry that happens with another town. Several social theme topics come into (you do not have to be perfect, just try and do you best; use your friends to help you; your talents might be unique, but they are still important and make you who you are; family and friends are important and even “enemies” can come and have fun together; and gender issues).
A diverse cast and a variety of personality are the kids. The tone of the text is modern, as are the subjects (a same-sex parental unit, living with a grandmother, single mother, gender non-conforming kids). However, there are a few of the characters that were not my favorite (they did some naughty things that they are not made to take responsibility for) and one character I wonder if they might be autistic. The artwork of the book is smooth and very graphic novel based. Colorful, minimal details but ones that work. They tell the story with the text and in some ways, they are a character within themselves. This is probably the strongest book of the series, so far, which is best ages 10 and up, but younger can do.
