The Sprite and the Gardener by Rii Abrego and Joe Whitt is a beautifully illustrated whimsical graphic novel that is a cottage core fans dream! Wisteria is a new sprite to the area who is very curious about the old ways. Sprite's used to help things grow and flourish, but now they just relax and play all day. Wisteria finds a desolate garden in a nearby neighborhood and is amazed to find that her gift for growing plants remains. She begins helping a gardener by growing plants when they aren't looking and starts a beautiful friendship among the Sprites and gardeners. This was such a cozy, sweet story and it made me smile the whole time I was reading it. The illustrations are stunning and very ethereal.

A charming story about working as a group towards a commin goal to achieve incredibles results. The illustrations were whimsical in the pinkest way possible, but fitted just wright for this. A great spring read to bring the sun back.

I received this and as an eARC to read for free in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and Oni Press for giving me access.

The artwork on this one wasn't my cup of tea as it was too busy for my eyes at times...BUT the story was very cute and held such a positive message that I couldn't help but love this graphic novel.

Thank you NetGalley and Oni Press for providing a copy of this for my review! This was a quick, lighthearted read filled with gorgeous illustrations. I loved that there were many pages that included only illustrations because I was required to slow down and interpret the artwork — 3.5/5

Long ago, our gardens bloomed under the magical abilities of the sprites but now they only need human hands to guide and grow them. The sprites live in secret, directionless and far removed from their ancestors. But when one of the sprites, Wisteria, begins to focus on her kind's former vocation everything alters.

If you liked The Tea Dragon Society or Aquicorn Cove then you'd definitely like this graphic novel. It features the same gorgeous pastel colour palette and vivid natural imagery combined with a storyline focusing on fantastical beings with gentle natures and a beautiful message to deliver. It made me smile from start to finish!

A beautiful slice of whimsical fantasy goodness, this all-too-brief graphic novel tells the story of a sprite named wisteria who finds a friend in gardener Elena. The story is simple, which is perfectly fine, as it lets the breathtaking art style take center stage, a vibrant, rich aesthetic reminiscent of 80s toylines, in particular calling back to Care Bears and (in particular) Rainbow Brite. It's over far too soon, and I would have loved to have spent volumes upon volumes in this world, so one hopes that the author revisits this world in the future.

The Sprite and the Gardner was a short but cute read! The artwork was beautiful, and it felt like a warm hug.

It was a very cute graphic novel, I loved the drawings and the characters were all very endearing!
The story is fast paced, and I regretted that it was so short because I liked it a lot: I needed something calm and comforting and that's exactly what it offered me.
It gives us beautiful life lessons: friendship is very important and it allows us to achieve greater things, and it's important to take care of what surrounds us.

I’ve been eyeing up this graphic novel for the longest time due to a massive love of everything OniPress publishes. When NetGalley approved my request for it I nearly screamed, and I wasn’t disappointed with it!!! So beautiful and literally now one of my favourite Graphic Novels to date. Sweet, whimsical, and a piece that I will 100% be adding to my physical collection!!

First and foremost the art style of this graphic novel is gorgeous. There is a cute and magical vibe, balanced with friendship and emotion, especially for our MC Wisteria. Wisteria is a sprite and as one is a caretaker of nature until humans tented to gardens instead. When Wisteria decides to take care of a garden again, can she make some unexpected friendships along the way?

Overall an excellent, immersive, and lighthearted read. The storytelling was wonderful and the art is gorgeous, would recommend it.

I really enjoied reading it. The drawings are beautiful and somehow „relaxing“ and warm. They feel line a hug. I hope in a seconde volume to leatn more about the sprite’s powers and the protagonist‘s backstory

This was one of the sweetest graphic novels I've read in such a long time, if not ever.
The artstyle was not only beautiful to look at, it also managed to convey such a wide range of emotions and made me feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside.
The gentle plot about friendship, teamwork (and maybe even a little bit of (lgbtqia+) love?) also left me with a happy heart.
I didn't expect to love this as much as I did!

A beautiful graphic novel about unexpected friendships and working together to create something magical. The illustrations are whimsical and beautiful and definitely have their own style. There isn’t much to the story, it is quite simple which I quite liked. I don’t usually read graphic novels, but I thoroughly enjoyed this one and I think it is perfect for all ages.

This is a wholesome graphic novel about friendship, teamwork & asking for help.

Sprites used to be the caretakers of nature, but since humanity began they’ve taken the backbench on this. But now Wisteria, the mc, wants to use her powers to help people with their gardens. And the story shows how great things can be if we work together.

I liked the art style but especially the colour scheme. It’s pastels which add to the cute vibe of the story. And I honestly don’t think this has a single age demographic. It’s simple enough to be understood by children but developed enough to still be an easy read for adults. So no matter how old you are I highly recommend!

Gardens are filled with small creatures called sprites. In the past they would take care of plants & nature but because humans came along and tended to the gardens instead, no longer do. But one sprite Wisteria decides to change that.

A very cute, lighthearted, sweet, graphic novel. Would highly recommend if you are looking for a cozy whimsical read.

Well written, and the graphics were beautiful and really immersed you into the story.

This is the graphic novel version of a warm hug. The art style is gorgeous, the story is simple and sweet, and did I mention the art style? I loved this, it was an easy 5-star. I'd highly recommend this to anyone who loves whimsical vibes and heartwarming stories.

ARC was given by NetGalley & Oni Press in exchange for an honest review.

Friends, this was so precious and sweet! I've been craving some comics about any type of fae to come out and my requests have been answered! If you're a lover of graphic novels, love the fae, and fast reads, you need to put this on your radar!

We follow a little sprite named Wisteria, who's new to the neighborhood. Struggling to find a way to join in with her new friends, she leaves them to explore and stumbles upon a garden in need of a sprite's touch! And after a few nights of sneaking to revive these plants in need, soon Wisteria meets the gardener who's behind the garden, Elena.

This was such a beautiful love letter to friendship and how it's not always easy when you're new to town. Both, Wisteria and Elena, are both doing their best and only when they meet do they realize they can continue to do their best, continue to try, all while still asking for help form someone. I think many readers will love both of these characters and their blossoming friendship.

My only issue with this was how short it was. I really wanted this to be longer and it felt like more could have been added to this, or even potentially expanded up. I emphasize this even more because of the ending where Elena's neighbor pops in and that could of been expanded on. However, I do think with this being so short, it leaves room for the authors to expand upon this world or create more stories from featured side characters in this graphic novel.

Overall, this was a very light, whimsical read that reminds me so, so much of Kay O'Neill and their work. If you're a fan of them, then this author definitely needs to be on your radar. For me, I'm excited to see what magical read this author gives us next!

The Sprite and The Gardener is a lighthearted, quick read that shares the important lesson of breaking the status quo and trying new things.

The graphic novel’s detailed artwork and heartwarming message make up for the lack of character development (it’s hard to make large strides in only 89 pages). It is not only the teamwork of Wisteria and her new friend that helps the backyard garden shine, but also the collaboration of Rii Abrego and Joe Whitt. While one would assume these artist’s styles would clash against one another, the differences blend seamlessly together when the sprite and human worlds combine,

I recommend picking up this graphic novel to just bask in the beauty of these two universes alone. The sweet story is a bonus!

Cute but the color and style of the art was a little too retro for my taste. A good clean graphic novel, however I don't know if it will appeal to young readers. Possible for parents and children to read together?

I absolutely adored this stunning, fun, light graphic novel.

This gorgeous, cozy, feel good story follows a flower Sprite that wants more than anything to use magic to help plants grow. The problem? Sprites don't use magic anymore now that humans have started tending to their own gardens and using all sorts of fertilizers; however, when she meets a human, things start to change.

This is such a feel good read that would go perfectly with a glass of strawberry lemonade and a warm spring day.

My only complaint is how short it is! I'm hoping that this will be a series (I would adore a Studio Ghibli-esque film) the characters are so cute, I really want to see more of them! I would love to watch as they slowly help their neighborhood grow into a beautiful plant filled paradise.

Thank you so much to Rii Abrego, the publisher, and NetGalley for the eARC!