ANGELICA AND THE BEAR PRINCE

A teenager struggles to cope in this graphic novel loosely inspired by the Norwegian folktale “East of the Sun and West of the Moon.”

Vietnamese American high school junior Angelica “Jelly” Hoang has had a rough year. Overachieving perfectionist Jelly has burned out and retreated from life. But after she’s awarded an internship at the Log House Theater, Jelly cautiously re-emerges. The theater, a local institution, not only played a seminal role in 7-year-old Jelly’s life when she saw her first performance there, it has also supported her teenage self: Jelly’s been messaging a fan account for Per the Bear Prince, their mascot. What started off as a quick note of appreciation has evolved into open and vulnerable conversations. An internship offers Jelly an opportunity to “feel connected to [her] work again”—and find out who’s behind the bear account, which seems to have exclusive insider information. Nguyen tenderly explores difficult emotional topics like anxiety and long-lasting grief. The characters and their interactions convey the comfort and acceptance that come from healthy communication and relationships. The delicate, expressive illustrations, executed in a soft color palette, captivatingly capture the heartfelt tone, and design details enhance the storytelling. Elegant picture frames surround panels that show flashbacks, such as of Jelly’s childhood experiences at the theater and memories of her late, beloved grandmother, Bà Ngoại. The supporting cast is diverse in gender identity, race, and body size.

Tender, sweetly romantic, and enchanting; an encouraging coming-of-age story.