Olaf, Essex, and their newfound companions handily navigate this magical city where foxes communicate with trees and witches lurk under cover. The novel delves into themes of connection and belonging, with each character on a quest to find or reconnect with loved ones; Olaf yearns for his mother, Baby the cat yearns for her former owner, Betty, and Essex pines for her late mate, Bolton. That thread of longing loops the different characters together into a united quest, of sorts, forcing them to consider how a makeshift family may be just the answer they’re all looking for—despite the lack of blood ties.

Olaf—who eventually decides to keep the child and soon learns that she was kidnapped from her true father, Chief Detector Damon Thomas—embraces his role as protector and, with the help of witches Hilda and Helga (one evil, one good), he and Essex face challenges that test their bond and resolve, but ultimately reaffirm the power of love and chosen family. “Life was not a tale signifying nothing. He loved other beings, and they loved him. That was something. That was neverending” Olaf muses. Xiao’s black and white illustrations bring the story’s animals to vivid life, making this heartwarming tale a delightful read for both children and the young at heart.

Takeaway: Sweet tale of the power of found family.

Comparable Titles: S.D. Smith’s The Green Ember, Dave Eggers’s The Eyes & the Impossible.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: A
Marketing Copy: A-