FAIREST OF ALL: A Graphic Novel (Whatever After Graphic Novel #1) (Whatever After Graphix), by Sarah Mlynowski and Anu Chouhan, Graphix, April 2, 2024, Paperback, $12.99 (ages 8-12)
Sarah Mlynowski’s popular Whatever After series gets a new look with the graphic novel adaptation of Fairest of All, a retelling of Snow White.
Once upon a time, Abby and her little brother, Jonah, were ordinary kids. The next minute? The mirror in their basement slurped them up and magically transported them into the fairy tale of Snow White.
Yes, really!
When Abby and Jonah stop Snow from eating the poison apple, they think they’re heroes. But wait! If Snow doesn’t die, she won’t meet her prince and get her happy ending. Oops.
Now it’s up to Abby and Jonah– with some help from Snow and the seven dwarfs–to outwit the witch and save the famous fairy tale in time.
But what if Snow’s REAL happy ending is something else entirely? —Synopsis provided by Graphix
Author Sarah Mlynowski’s text is paired down in this adaptation to fit with award-winning illustrator Anu Chouhan’s expressive illustrations. In fact, while Mlynowski’s story and pacing provides a strong framework, it’s Chouhan’s artwork does most of the heavy lifting here. And it’s because of that artwork that this series is likely to gain an entirely new group of fans.
Fairest of All is a sort of feminist retelling where Snow White takes matters into her own hands — including taking time to get to know her prince before deciding to marry him.
Young readers will speed through this graphic novel that pairs modern sensibilities with fairy tale magic. It’s not the “deepest” graphic novel I’ve read, but it’s certainly entertaining.
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