This was one of those impulse library books I saw on a display shelf and grabbed on my way to the counter. I had no idea what it was about, didn’t read the blurb, just liked the cover and figured I’d take it home and give it a try. But it turned out to be one of the best impulse borrows to date.
This is a very simple graphic novel – not much plot, not much text, not much variation in setting and images. And yet. It’s such a complex interweaving tale that tackles many different important issues and topics, but without really seeming to tell you what it’s about at any point. It starts with Poppy taking her dog for a walk while listening to her headphones. But her dog runs away through a gap in a fence, and she has to follow.
To her surprise, when she gets to the other side of the fence, she discovers a wooded area she’s not explored before. She slows down, takes her headphones off, and suddenly finds herself in a wild space full of the sights, smells and sounds of nature. She meets a boy who likes to hang out in the forest, Rob, and the two begin exploring the complex ecosystem of the forest – the plants, insects, and animals that live there.
But when she goes home, Poppy finds her mother right where she left her, in front of the TV, lost in her grief over the death of her own mother. She doesn’t seem to move, and barely even seems to be there. Home is a sad and lonely place for Poppy right now, and she doesn’t know how to help her mother.
Poppy returns to the forest over and over again, finding a new fascination with the woodland that’s so close, and yet seems like another world. One day Rob comes to her house, and her mother meets him. The two convince her mother to go to the forest with them, despite her initial resistance. And in that wild space, her mother is finally able to see beyond her own grief, and feel that there’s something else waiting for her. The three spend the night in the forest, and Poppy’s mother shares stories about her own nature adventures.
This book is so simple, so fast to read, and yet it has stuck with me. It evoked such strong emotions, and such a sense of the hope and healing that nature can provide. I loved the subtle yet unmissable connection to the story of The Secret Garden, and how the story can be repeated over and over again by people who are in need – for whatever reason – of a healing natural space in which they can reconnect with nature and the wonder that lives there.
Discover the magic of the wilderness in this breathtaking graphic novel reminiscent of The Secret Garden. Poppy’s mother hasn’t been the same since Gran passed away. She stays inside and watches TV, unable to leave the couch. So maybe that’s why Poppy has started spending more time outside, taking her dog Pepper for walks around the neighborhood. When Pepper leads Poppy through a hole in the fence, she finds a forgotten forest that’s been there all along, as well as a new friend named Rob. Rob teaches Poppy that you can find magic in the wilderness – if you know where to look! Poppy looks, and then she looks closer … and sees flowers opening before her eyes, watches animals slip into their hidden homes, and listens to the sound of water droplets falling gently on puddles, leaves and feathers. She can barely wait to tell Mum about everything she’s seen, and asks her to come see, too – but her mother rarely has the energy to leave the couch. Will Poppy ever be able help her mother see the beauty in the woods – and in life? This beautifully illustrated graphic novel is an exploration of grief, love, and finding magic in the wilderness – and in ourselves. – Goodreads
Book Title: Wildful
Author: Kengo Kurimoto
Series: No
Edition: Hardcover (Local Library)
Published By: Groundwood Books
Released: February 6, 2024
Genre: Fiction, Graphic Novel, Family, Loss, Grief, Nature
Pages: 216
Date Read: May 1-3, 2025
Rating: 9/10
Average Goodreads Rating: 4.20/5 (761 ratings)