I love a good cozy fantasy as much as the next person. I ate up The Tea Dragon Society a few years ago and a few indie cozy fantasy novels in 2023. I’d had my nose to the ground for the perfect cozy fantasy graphic novel, though, because the combination just made sense to me. But, I hadn’t found a great one until The Baker and the Bard. When I tell you I squealed with glee through lots of this tale, I mean it. I read it over a vacation trip with my family and it was the cozy read I needed at the time.

Goodreads / Amazon

Synopsis:

Author-artist Fern Haught weaves an enchanting, gentle fantasy tale of friendship, determination, and respecting nature in their debut graphic novel, The Baker and the Bard. Perfect for fans of The Tea Dragon Society, Legends & Lattes, and Animal Crossing.

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 makes 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 only a trail of glowy goo behind. 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 softspoken little fey named Thistle―who are in danger of losing their home.

Review:

Juniper, Hadley, and Hadley’s pet snake are the trio I never expected to fall in love with. The Baker and the Bard is full of beautiful friendships and relationships, not just between Juniper and Hadley, but also with their new fey buddy and others in their village. This graphic novel is aimed at a younger YA audience, ages 12-18 or grades 7-9. Because of this, the plot appears a bit simplistic and twee; however, the story is adorable, accomplishes what it aims to do, and has a great deal of representation and fun.

The Baker and the Bard is a super cozy, light fantasy, and has a low-stakes quest. Juniper and Hadley’s quest is sweet and adventurous, and not at all scary. It’s almost a cozy mystery for young teens in a fantasy setting. This book is promoted as perfect for fans of The Tea Dragon Society and Animal Crossing, and I agree completely.

The Baker and the Bard is dedicated to those who filled their pockets with pebbles at recess and talked to birds, and I’ve never read a more accurate depiction of myself at seven years old. I felt a sort of kinship with this book that was lovely and rare. Being as I’m not part of the LGBTQ community and this book features such wonderful non-binary and queer representation, I imagine this book will touch others in similar and even more impactful ways.

Art:

The art in this book is just beautiful. I would never say to buy a book for its aesthetic alone, but this book would nearly be worth it for just that. The art is whimsical, touched with fairy dust, and coated with just a bit of bread flour and dirt. If that vibe sounds like art you want to consume, then pick up The Baker and the Bard ASAP.

Final Thoughts:

The Baker and the Bard is an excellent cozy fantasy, great to use as a palette cleanser between heavier books, and is the perfect LGBTQ-friendly YA graphic novel for the younger teen in your life. Also check out Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell and Faith Erin Hicks, A Gift for a Ghost by Borja Gonzalez, and Buried in Friendship by T.M. Mayfield for books that have similar aesthetics, vibes or low-stakes quests.

Rating: 4.5/5 stars, taking into account that this is a younger YA graphic novel.

Thanks to the publisher for providing me with an advanced review copy! All the above thoughts are my own.