‘SNAPDRAGON’ by Kay Leyh Is Full of Magic, Curiosity, and a Little Bit of Roadkill
The first time I came across Snapdragon by Kay Leyh I excitedly reserved it. Well, the reservation came and went so when I recently saw it again I knew that I had to finally sit down and work through it. And I am beyond grateful that I did. Snapdragon turned out to be an absolute gem.
In Snap’s town, there is a witch. Well, at least that's what the people of the town say. Rumours abound. But, in reality, there is simply an old woman. An old woman who prefers her own company. Oh, and articulating roadkill, and selling them online. This means the people of the town fear her. But Snap isn’t afraid of witches, Snap thinks witches are cool.
The art in this book reminded me of the Nickelodeon cartoon, Hey Arnold! I can’t exactly explain why, it's not a show that I actively watched in my youth. Imagine Hey Arnold! drawn by Titsay. The expressive, exaggerated designs perfectly balanced with the loose organic feel of more modern cartoons. The colors are bold, storybook like - it is a joy to see a young girl of color in this aesthetic, it feels modern, while respecting the pang we all have for nostalgia. Snap’s design particularly drew me in, it felt like Titsay, bold but soft. The art is captivating, and I loved exploring each page.
The visuals and the narrative are blended beautifully and as a result create a warm, slightly eerie tone that is jam packed full of magic and curiosity. Every moment spent in Snap’s town felt deliberate and well structured while allowing me the space necessary to find adventure in the story unfolding. I never felt rushed, I just felt welcome. Each moment landing exactly as it was intended.
This is the kind of book I would happily recommend to my small circle of friends, or to anyone who loves a cozy heartfelt story, and a bit of roadkill and magic. In truth, I would recommend this book to everyone.
Are you scared of witches, or do you think articulated roadkill sounds cool like Snap? Tell me about a graphic novel you have read and loved recently.
