What do you think?
Rate this book
Korgi #1-5
Korgi: The Complete Tale
The beloved wordless fantasy graphic novel is now collected in a single epic volume! Fall in love with the wondrous world of Korgi Hollow, packed with thrills, laughs, and exquisitely illustrated animal magic.
One of the most adorable comics of our time now arrives in a bookshelf edition for all time. When day breaks in their woodland village, Ivy and her corgi pup, Sprout, have no idea that they’ll soon be swept up in an astonishing adventure! Soon they’ll journey across land, sea, and air, from past to present and beyond, to learn more about themselves, escape the forces of evil, and uncover the ancient mysteries behind their magical world. The sumptuously detailed pen-and-ink drawings of former Disney animator Christian Slade make every page a joy to behold, using the power of “silent comics” to bring every moment wordlessly to life for readers of all ages. What’s more, this deluxe softcover collection includes not only all five Korgi graphic novels but also every bonus short story previously exclusive to comic books. The result is a complete fantasy epic that is truly timeless.
One of the most adorable comics of our time now arrives in a bookshelf edition for all time. When day breaks in their woodland village, Ivy and her corgi pup, Sprout, have no idea that they’ll soon be swept up in an astonishing adventure! Soon they’ll journey across land, sea, and air, from past to present and beyond, to learn more about themselves, escape the forces of evil, and uncover the ancient mysteries behind their magical world. The sumptuously detailed pen-and-ink drawings of former Disney animator Christian Slade make every page a joy to behold, using the power of “silent comics” to bring every moment wordlessly to life for readers of all ages. What’s more, this deluxe softcover collection includes not only all five Korgi graphic novels but also every bonus short story previously exclusive to comic books. The result is a complete fantasy epic that is truly timeless.
584 pages, Paperback
Published May 7, 2024
14 people are currently reading
131 people want to read
About the author
Christian Slade
50 books38 followersAs a boy growing up in New Jersey, Christian Slade carried his sketchbook everywhere he went. It was said that he sometimes lived in another world, and it was this other world within the pages of his sketchbook that inspired him to draw from his imagination and the world around him. After thirty years, not much has changed. A former Disney animator and currently a full-time freelance illustrator, Christian has embarked upon his very first all-ages graphic novel series, Korgi. Christian currently lives in Orlando with his wife, Ann, and their two Welsh corgis, Penny and Leo.
--from the cover flap of Korgi: Book 1
Christian Slade has a B.F.A. from the University of Central Florida, an M.A. from Syracuse University, a health collection of comic books, way too many sci-fi toys, and a giant rubber tarantula. He keeps all this stuff in a little studio where he draws at the desk he used as a Disney Animator.
Korgi is Christian's very first all-ages graphic novel series. He currently lives in Florida with his wife Ann, their toddler twins Kate and Nate, and their Welsh corgis Penny and Leo.
--from the cover flap of Korgi: Book 2
--from the cover flap of Korgi: Book 1
Christian Slade has a B.F.A. from the University of Central Florida, an M.A. from Syracuse University, a health collection of comic books, way too many sci-fi toys, and a giant rubber tarantula. He keeps all this stuff in a little studio where he draws at the desk he used as a Disney Animator.
Korgi is Christian's very first all-ages graphic novel series. He currently lives in Florida with his wife Ann, their toddler twins Kate and Nate, and their Welsh corgis Penny and Leo.
--from the cover flap of Korgi: Book 2
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
March 26, 2024
This has really gorgeous artwork and meticulously created worldbuilding and storylines. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Ivy and Sprout’s adventures and mishaps. I received an eARC, so this probably won’t be as much of an issue with the physical copy, but the character introductions were located at the very end, and I would have loved to read those first for more context. That’s my only complaint.
Also, this is not for the little littles…the villains would be scary to them.
All in all, I absolutely loved looking at all of the beautiful pictures, and it’s a great story!
Thank you to NetGalley, IDW Publishing and Top Shelf Productions for gifting me an advance copy.. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Also, this is not for the little littles…the villains would be scary to them.
All in all, I absolutely loved looking at all of the beautiful pictures, and it’s a great story!
Thank you to NetGalley, IDW Publishing and Top Shelf Productions for gifting me an advance copy.. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 22, 2024
This was a super cute fantasy story about magical Korgis and their magical friends. There are no words in this book, only the introduction to each tale. It took a minute to get used to the no words thing, but it quickly grew on me. The art was really very interesting. Unlike much of what I’ve seen previously, which made it kind of charming and fun.
I enjoyed getting to know the characters, especially Sprout, the main Korgi, which happens to love food. He was super adorable. I also enjoyed the storylines of each little section. Kept me interested enough to keep turning the pages!! I do question what age should read this. I think some of the pictures are really quite scary. So I suggest if you want your kiddo to take a peak, just check it out yourself and make that decision then. Besides, it’s super cute and you’ll probably enjoy it!!
I recommend this to those who love fantasy graphic novels with magical Korgis, fairies, and super scary antagonists. This was adorable and interesting!!
I enjoyed getting to know the characters, especially Sprout, the main Korgi, which happens to love food. He was super adorable. I also enjoyed the storylines of each little section. Kept me interested enough to keep turning the pages!! I do question what age should read this. I think some of the pictures are really quite scary. So I suggest if you want your kiddo to take a peak, just check it out yourself and make that decision then. Besides, it’s super cute and you’ll probably enjoy it!!
I recommend this to those who love fantasy graphic novels with magical Korgis, fairies, and super scary antagonists. This was adorable and interesting!!
February 2, 2025
Lovely pen drawings that make Korgi’s twice as cuddly and monsters twice as muddy. The stories and characters of the fairytale world are highly original, which is a rare find among fairy glens and crooked castles.
Oh boy, how would I have loved to read this when I was younger. Still, the book holds perfectly for adults too.
Oh boy, how would I have loved to read this when I was younger. Still, the book holds perfectly for adults too.
March 14, 2024
Korgi: The Complete Tale is a brilliant and hilarious graphic novel for kids/ preteens. This book contains 5 fun tales and a handful of short stories, which was a good length and held our interest. The stories are graphics only, but no words are needed because the art is amazing!
The stories follow Ivy and her Corgi pup, Sprout, as they go on the adventures of a lifetime. Each one is so different, yet they all tie together in the end.
I read this with my kids aged 7, 9, and 11, and it was a huge hit. As a proud family of our own magical fire breathing (albeit fire comes out the other end) Korgi, Zumi, we had so much fun reading the Korgi stories.
We are a family of readers. We cherish books. Typically, we use the library or just buy one copy of a book and all read it, yet there are a handful of books that I purchase for each kid and put away for them when they are older (think Shel Silverstein, The Little Prince, LoTR etc).. the books that will stay with them for a lifetime. I've already ordered one and I have a feeling we'll have two more en route soon enough!
Thank you #NetGalley, IDW Publishing, Top Shelf Productions, and Christian Slade for an advanced readers copy of Korgi: The Complete Tale in exchange for an honest review. Can't wait to see this magical book in print form. It was so fun to watch my kids' eyes light up while reading about Ivy and Sprout's adventures!
The stories follow Ivy and her Corgi pup, Sprout, as they go on the adventures of a lifetime. Each one is so different, yet they all tie together in the end.
I read this with my kids aged 7, 9, and 11, and it was a huge hit. As a proud family of our own magical fire breathing (albeit fire comes out the other end) Korgi, Zumi, we had so much fun reading the Korgi stories.
We are a family of readers. We cherish books. Typically, we use the library or just buy one copy of a book and all read it, yet there are a handful of books that I purchase for each kid and put away for them when they are older (think Shel Silverstein, The Little Prince, LoTR etc).. the books that will stay with them for a lifetime. I've already ordered one and I have a feeling we'll have two more en route soon enough!
Thank you #NetGalley, IDW Publishing, Top Shelf Productions, and Christian Slade for an advanced readers copy of Korgi: The Complete Tale in exchange for an honest review. Can't wait to see this magical book in print form. It was so fun to watch my kids' eyes light up while reading about Ivy and Sprout's adventures!
April 27, 2024
Actual rating: 3.5
This was my first time reading a wordless graphic novel and it was just delightful! It was like watching a silent animated film which interesting characters and just loads of cuteness. Ultimately though, I don't think I'm in the right demographic for this kind of story.
This was my first time reading a wordless graphic novel and it was just delightful! It was like watching a silent animated film which interesting characters and just loads of cuteness. Ultimately though, I don't think I'm in the right demographic for this kind of story.
August 22, 2024
I am corgi obsessed and have my own corgi pup, Daisy, so this was a must-read for me!
Korgi is an almost entirely wordless graphic novel, where the only words are at the start of each book). At the end, you also get character descriptions and a handful of short stories. The art was simple but easy to understand the story.
Thank you to NetGalley, IDW Publishing | Top Shelf Productions, and Christian Slade for the opportunity to review an Advanced Reader's Copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest opinion.
I talked about this book in a weekly wrap-up: https://youtu.be/WYc7QRUDhUk (starts at 1:53).
Korgi is an almost entirely wordless graphic novel, where the only words are at the start of each book). At the end, you also get character descriptions and a handful of short stories. The art was simple but easy to understand the story.
Thank you to NetGalley, IDW Publishing | Top Shelf Productions, and Christian Slade for the opportunity to review an Advanced Reader's Copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest opinion.
I talked about this book in a weekly wrap-up: https://youtu.be/WYc7QRUDhUk (starts at 1:53).
March 20, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC preview to read and review.
As a parent of 2 young adults, I still enjoy reviewing children's books to see the directions children's literature is going. I have to be honest, I requested this ARC because it was about corgi dogs!
This is a graphic novel by a former Disney illustrator, and it is a compilation of 6 of his prior books in a single edition. The illustrations are all black and white, done as line drawings. Each of the stories has a written single page intro, otherwise the book is completely wordless. There is an appendix at the end naming and describing all characters, as well as a map of Korgi Hollow. I REALLY wish the publisher had included this in the beginning of the book.
I searched for the target reader age and found 9-12 on Amazon. I would say that is about right, but ONLY if your child is not scared at all by lots of monsters and violent scenes. Some examples: boiling a corgi dog in a vat; eyes popping out of monsters; monsters sneaking into a home through a tiny crack and making their way through the inside; corgi dogs being caught in a trap en masse looking pitiful and helpless; wings shot off the fairy girl as she flies with a corgi; corgis and girl being caught in a hole in the ground designed to trap them; corgis being captured and kept in cages; skeleton and many ugly creatures eating corgi's. Big scary monsters eating all kinds of other creatures. It is literally non-stop violence with realistic and scary creatures drawn on the page. This is NOT a book for most children who love dogs, and certainly not for younger children.
I didn't really follow much of a discernable plot, and found the lack of color dreary. I get that I'm not the target audience, but this is not a book I would buy or recommend for any young readers, and I'm a fanatical reader. 2-stars for artistic ability and corgi-centric book. I wish the author had been able to create at least one book that was lighter and happier: his illustrations of corgis coming out of clouds and being ridden were delightful. 2-stars.
As a parent of 2 young adults, I still enjoy reviewing children's books to see the directions children's literature is going. I have to be honest, I requested this ARC because it was about corgi dogs!
This is a graphic novel by a former Disney illustrator, and it is a compilation of 6 of his prior books in a single edition. The illustrations are all black and white, done as line drawings. Each of the stories has a written single page intro, otherwise the book is completely wordless. There is an appendix at the end naming and describing all characters, as well as a map of Korgi Hollow. I REALLY wish the publisher had included this in the beginning of the book.
I searched for the target reader age and found 9-12 on Amazon. I would say that is about right, but ONLY if your child is not scared at all by lots of monsters and violent scenes. Some examples: boiling a corgi dog in a vat; eyes popping out of monsters; monsters sneaking into a home through a tiny crack and making their way through the inside; corgi dogs being caught in a trap en masse looking pitiful and helpless; wings shot off the fairy girl as she flies with a corgi; corgis and girl being caught in a hole in the ground designed to trap them; corgis being captured and kept in cages; skeleton and many ugly creatures eating corgi's. Big scary monsters eating all kinds of other creatures. It is literally non-stop violence with realistic and scary creatures drawn on the page. This is NOT a book for most children who love dogs, and certainly not for younger children.
I didn't really follow much of a discernable plot, and found the lack of color dreary. I get that I'm not the target audience, but this is not a book I would buy or recommend for any young readers, and I'm a fanatical reader. 2-stars for artistic ability and corgi-centric book. I wish the author had been able to create at least one book that was lighter and happier: his illustrations of corgis coming out of clouds and being ridden were delightful. 2-stars.
April 22, 2024
Korgi: The Complete Tale is a compilation of five completely wordless fantasy graphic novels about Ivy the Mollie (fairy-like woodlen creature) and her fearless fire breathing corgi pup Scout as they adventure around Korgi Hollow.
The pen & ink black and white corgi drawings are adorable and extremely detailed. But the various bad guys are truly creepy due to this detail. Each book is introduced by Wart the magic toad with a written basic description of what’s to come and then the reader is on their own to depict the rest. Since the drawings are so detailed, that’s not too difficult to do, however I would have found the post-book character descriptions useful at the beginning of the book.
My personal favorite parts were the short stories at the very end that mostly just involved corgi Scout getting into trouble usually due to his love of snacks.
Overall, the entire journey was cute and the artwork was stunning. Due to its fantasy nature, I almost wish I could have seen a few of the images in color (like the cover). But I believe corgi lovers (such as myself) will adore this book and graphic novel enthusiasts will appreciate what was created.
The pen & ink black and white corgi drawings are adorable and extremely detailed. But the various bad guys are truly creepy due to this detail. Each book is introduced by Wart the magic toad with a written basic description of what’s to come and then the reader is on their own to depict the rest. Since the drawings are so detailed, that’s not too difficult to do, however I would have found the post-book character descriptions useful at the beginning of the book.
My personal favorite parts were the short stories at the very end that mostly just involved corgi Scout getting into trouble usually due to his love of snacks.
Overall, the entire journey was cute and the artwork was stunning. Due to its fantasy nature, I almost wish I could have seen a few of the images in color (like the cover). But I believe corgi lovers (such as myself) will adore this book and graphic novel enthusiasts will appreciate what was created.
August 4, 2024
I've never read these before so I was glad this was the complete collection because I didn't want to put this down. The only text within these books are the occasional sound effect and a single-page story overview from a toad magician. If not for the toad (and, in this collected edition, the little biographies at the end), we wouldn’t know the names of the characters. This has really gorgeous artwork and meticulously created world building and storylines. This is a great pick for when you need a reading accomplishment, but have no brain to speak of. The story is light, the reading is lighter, and the overall feel is comforting. All in all, I absolutely loved looking at all of the beautiful pictures, and it’s a great story.
March 18, 2024
First, thank you to Top Shelf Productions and NetGalley for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. Second, OMG it is like this story was made for me. A whole graphic novel about Corgis?? You couldn’t sign me up faster. The art was exquisite. The detail is something you don’t see often in graphic novels anymore. The world building was astounding and so well done. Truly, no words were needed to convey the different adventures of Sprout and Ivy. My only qualm is that I didn’t discover this sooner. I will be buying a physical copy for my collection when this comes out in May!
June 13, 2024
Korgi
The Complete Tale
By Christian Slade
This is a tale of love, of magic, an adventure by a little girl named Ivy and her magical pet a Korgi cub named Sprout. Fantasy meets sci-fi in this magical adventure with gorgeous artwork in this over 500 pages masterpiece. Each page speaking a hundred words and telling an intriguing story in an unusually unique style.
Highly recommended.
The Complete Tale
By Christian Slade
This is a tale of love, of magic, an adventure by a little girl named Ivy and her magical pet a Korgi cub named Sprout. Fantasy meets sci-fi in this magical adventure with gorgeous artwork in this over 500 pages masterpiece. Each page speaking a hundred words and telling an intriguing story in an unusually unique style.
Highly recommended.
March 25, 2024
This was so cute! And I love the drawings and How they make a great story between the 5 books in the Korgi-series.
I also let my 8 year old read it and he adored it and really liked it as well.
Can highly recommend for easy and cozy reads for adults and as good books for children.
I also let my 8 year old read it and he adored it and really liked it as well.
Can highly recommend for easy and cozy reads for adults and as good books for children.
September 28, 2025
So stinking cute! But now I’m worried about my dog burning down the house…
December 6, 2024
It was okay, nothing that special, but the dogs were beautiful, a little bit prone to set things on fire, but gorgeously nonetheless!
February 16, 2025
Magical fire breathing Korgi’s that live in the woods… yup, I said what I said 😅👌🏼
December 19, 2024
cz&en
Korgi je komiks hlavně pro děti a pro milovníky psů, zejména rasy Corgi. Takže vlastně skoro pro každého. Vypráví o vesnici Korgi Hollow, ve které žijí dohromady v míru, přátelství, moudrosti a štěstí psi Korgi, lesní elfové, víly a jiná zvířata. Štěňata jsou menší než elfové a víly, ale dospělí psi jsou větší a elfové na nich někdy jezdí jako na koni. Možná bych měl taky poznamenat, že ti psi jsou tak trošku magičtí.
Hlavními hrdiny jsou víla Ivy a její štěně Sprout. Ti dva spolu neustále dovádějí a zažívají nejrůznější dobrodružství. Místy jim hrozí i nebezpečí, protože v okolí Korgi Hollow žijí také různá strašidla, trollové, draci, a také jeden nepřátelský mimozemšťan. Všechny nebezpečné situace se ale vyřeší snadno, s úsměvem a “s prstem v nose”. Často vše vyřeší Sproutovo magické nadání. To mi na této knize asi vadí nejvíce. Ta nekonečná dětská naivita, kdy se hlavní hrdinové neustále šťastně usmívají, i když zrovna někoho upalují zaživa anebo ho zapichují zlomenou násadou od koštěte. Jsem si ale jistý, že jako dítě bych to vnímal úplně jinak. Nesmím zapomenout na humor, který tento komiks naštěstí nepostrádá.
Velmi silnou stránkou komiksu je kresba. Jestliže vás úplně míjí příběh, tak ta kresba je pořád dost dobrý důvod k tomu, abyste tomu věnovali pozornost. Je to kreslené tenkou pérovkou a je radost se na to dívat. Je evidentní, že Christian Slade psy Corgi miluje. Číst ten komiks je jako jíst med velkou lžíci. Ta kresba je tak pozitivní, že se ta pozitivní nálada přenáší i na čtenáře. Krásně nakreslené jsou dokonce i monstra, takže se na ně vlastně těšíte tak jako na Krysáky v Kůstkovi.
Kniha má měkkou vazbu a 584 stran.
—
Comics Korgi is mainly for children and dog lovers, especially the Corgi breed. So for almost everyone. It tells the story of the village of Korgi Hollow, where Korgi dogs, forest elves, fairies and other animals live together in peace, friendship, wisdom and happiness. The puppies are smaller than the elves and fairies, but the adult dogs are larger, and the elves sometimes ride them like horses. Maybe I should also note that dogs are a little magical.
The main characters are the fairy Ivy and her puppy Sprout. Those two are constantly playing around and experiencing all kinds of adventures. Sometimes they are also in danger, because various creephogs, trolls, dragons and also one hostile alien live in the neighborhood of Korgi Hollow. However, all dangerous situations are resolved easily, with a smile and "with a finger in the nose". Sprout's magical talent often solves everything. That's probably what bothers me the most about this book. The endless childish naivety, when the main characters are constantly smiling happily, even when they are burning some troll alive or stabbing arch enemy with a broken broom handle. But I am sure that as a child I would have perceived it completely differently. I must not forget the humor, which fortunately this comic does not lack.
A very strong point of the comic is the artwork. If you completely miss the story, the artwork is still a good enough reason to pay attention to it. It is drawn with a thin pen and is a joy to look at. It is evident that Christian Slade loves Corgi dogs. Reading this comic is like eating honey with a big spoon. The artwork is so positive that the positive mood is transferred to the reader. Even the monsters are beautifully drawn, so you actually look forward to them as much as to the Rat Creatures in the Bone comics.
The book is paperback and has 584 pages.
Korgi je komiks hlavně pro děti a pro milovníky psů, zejména rasy Corgi. Takže vlastně skoro pro každého. Vypráví o vesnici Korgi Hollow, ve které žijí dohromady v míru, přátelství, moudrosti a štěstí psi Korgi, lesní elfové, víly a jiná zvířata. Štěňata jsou menší než elfové a víly, ale dospělí psi jsou větší a elfové na nich někdy jezdí jako na koni. Možná bych měl taky poznamenat, že ti psi jsou tak trošku magičtí.
Hlavními hrdiny jsou víla Ivy a její štěně Sprout. Ti dva spolu neustále dovádějí a zažívají nejrůznější dobrodružství. Místy jim hrozí i nebezpečí, protože v okolí Korgi Hollow žijí také různá strašidla, trollové, draci, a také jeden nepřátelský mimozemšťan. Všechny nebezpečné situace se ale vyřeší snadno, s úsměvem a “s prstem v nose”. Často vše vyřeší Sproutovo magické nadání. To mi na této knize asi vadí nejvíce. Ta nekonečná dětská naivita, kdy se hlavní hrdinové neustále šťastně usmívají, i když zrovna někoho upalují zaživa anebo ho zapichují zlomenou násadou od koštěte. Jsem si ale jistý, že jako dítě bych to vnímal úplně jinak. Nesmím zapomenout na humor, který tento komiks naštěstí nepostrádá.
Velmi silnou stránkou komiksu je kresba. Jestliže vás úplně míjí příběh, tak ta kresba je pořád dost dobrý důvod k tomu, abyste tomu věnovali pozornost. Je to kreslené tenkou pérovkou a je radost se na to dívat. Je evidentní, že Christian Slade psy Corgi miluje. Číst ten komiks je jako jíst med velkou lžíci. Ta kresba je tak pozitivní, že se ta pozitivní nálada přenáší i na čtenáře. Krásně nakreslené jsou dokonce i monstra, takže se na ně vlastně těšíte tak jako na Krysáky v Kůstkovi.
Kniha má měkkou vazbu a 584 stran.
—
Comics Korgi is mainly for children and dog lovers, especially the Corgi breed. So for almost everyone. It tells the story of the village of Korgi Hollow, where Korgi dogs, forest elves, fairies and other animals live together in peace, friendship, wisdom and happiness. The puppies are smaller than the elves and fairies, but the adult dogs are larger, and the elves sometimes ride them like horses. Maybe I should also note that dogs are a little magical.
The main characters are the fairy Ivy and her puppy Sprout. Those two are constantly playing around and experiencing all kinds of adventures. Sometimes they are also in danger, because various creephogs, trolls, dragons and also one hostile alien live in the neighborhood of Korgi Hollow. However, all dangerous situations are resolved easily, with a smile and "with a finger in the nose". Sprout's magical talent often solves everything. That's probably what bothers me the most about this book. The endless childish naivety, when the main characters are constantly smiling happily, even when they are burning some troll alive or stabbing arch enemy with a broken broom handle. But I am sure that as a child I would have perceived it completely differently. I must not forget the humor, which fortunately this comic does not lack.
A very strong point of the comic is the artwork. If you completely miss the story, the artwork is still a good enough reason to pay attention to it. It is drawn with a thin pen and is a joy to look at. It is evident that Christian Slade loves Corgi dogs. Reading this comic is like eating honey with a big spoon. The artwork is so positive that the positive mood is transferred to the reader. Even the monsters are beautifully drawn, so you actually look forward to them as much as to the Rat Creatures in the Bone comics.
The book is paperback and has 584 pages.
April 4, 2024
Korgi by Christian Slade was…not what I expected.
It was, however, an absolutely adorable and exceedingly fun read! I enjoyed Ivy and Sprout’s journey so much and was incredibly impressed with the overall world building and plot of the story. Slade does a truly amazing job of getting you invested in the characters and their journeys.
The story follows a young girl and her Korgi through many an adventure, most of them centered around the evil being dwelling beneath the ruins of a long destroyed castle. At first, the story seems somewhat segmented until you begin to delve into the backstory of the world and the plot slowly emerges. I loved this method of storytelling for this book.
The ending was pretty amusing, as well, and without getting into any spoilers, I just have to say I adored how everything tied up at the end.
It’s also the sort of brilliant adventure that I could one hundred percent see as a children’s show or movie. I truly hope that it gets picked up one day!
What did throw me about this book, though, is that outside of the introduction at the beginning of each “book” or chapter, you really don’t get any text. While I’m sure the characters in the world speak, there isn’t any dialogue for you to read. The story, instead, is told entirely through the artwork. Which is gorgeous, by the way.
I wouldn’t say that I have any issue with this. In fact, there are plenty of brilliant books I’ve read that have minimal text in it. But I did waffle back and forth on whether or not to rate this four or five stars as a result. It’s, again, not that I see anything wrong with the method of storytelling, but rather that I think there is such a missed opportunity by having no dialogue as it really could have enhanced this exceptional tale!
All of that said, I loved it. I loved every second of it. And I can’t wait to introduce it to my readers.
I received an early copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
It was, however, an absolutely adorable and exceedingly fun read! I enjoyed Ivy and Sprout’s journey so much and was incredibly impressed with the overall world building and plot of the story. Slade does a truly amazing job of getting you invested in the characters and their journeys.
The story follows a young girl and her Korgi through many an adventure, most of them centered around the evil being dwelling beneath the ruins of a long destroyed castle. At first, the story seems somewhat segmented until you begin to delve into the backstory of the world and the plot slowly emerges. I loved this method of storytelling for this book.
The ending was pretty amusing, as well, and without getting into any spoilers, I just have to say I adored how everything tied up at the end.
It’s also the sort of brilliant adventure that I could one hundred percent see as a children’s show or movie. I truly hope that it gets picked up one day!
What did throw me about this book, though, is that outside of the introduction at the beginning of each “book” or chapter, you really don’t get any text. While I’m sure the characters in the world speak, there isn’t any dialogue for you to read. The story, instead, is told entirely through the artwork. Which is gorgeous, by the way.
I wouldn’t say that I have any issue with this. In fact, there are plenty of brilliant books I’ve read that have minimal text in it. But I did waffle back and forth on whether or not to rate this four or five stars as a result. It’s, again, not that I see anything wrong with the method of storytelling, but rather that I think there is such a missed opportunity by having no dialogue as it really could have enhanced this exceptional tale!
All of that said, I loved it. I loved every second of it. And I can’t wait to introduce it to my readers.
I received an early copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 20, 2024
Wordless but holding amazing illustrations, this is a collection from a well-loved series, which opens up to a world of monsters, adventure, and cute corgis.
This collection includes all five of the Korgi graphic novels as well as several short adventures. Each of the five books begins with a short and entertaining introduction, which does happen through text...but those are the only words during the adventure. Each moment is brought across through very detailed and extremely well-crafted, black and white line drawings. These are more demanding on the eyes than the illustrations usually found in graphic novels, in so far that they take more time to take in and digest. And it's well worth the extra time, especially since these do carry the entire tale in every way.
This is sold for children but will also satisfy older readers and some adults. The story isn't fluffy and happy, but rather, packs fantasy and adventure. The monsters take a creepy lean, which fits right with the illustration style to make each one come across with that dark atmosphere of off-ness. There is a hint of gore without really going there completely (an eyeball pops out and flies away), and while this might bother more sensitive readers, others will find the edged fantasy just right. The main characters fight off the danger and land in some pretty sticky situations, which bring exciting action scenes. It is a positive read with promises of hope and even will bring smiles and cuteness at the right moments.
There is a list of characters with descriptions at the end, which I do wish had been shoved to the front of the novel, instead, but that's only a side thought. It's an exciting adventure with an unexpected lean toward darkish fantasy (think The Labyrinth), which is sure to grab more than just corgi fans.
I received a DRC and didn't expect the style presented in these pages but enjoyed it quite a bit.
This collection includes all five of the Korgi graphic novels as well as several short adventures. Each of the five books begins with a short and entertaining introduction, which does happen through text...but those are the only words during the adventure. Each moment is brought across through very detailed and extremely well-crafted, black and white line drawings. These are more demanding on the eyes than the illustrations usually found in graphic novels, in so far that they take more time to take in and digest. And it's well worth the extra time, especially since these do carry the entire tale in every way.
This is sold for children but will also satisfy older readers and some adults. The story isn't fluffy and happy, but rather, packs fantasy and adventure. The monsters take a creepy lean, which fits right with the illustration style to make each one come across with that dark atmosphere of off-ness. There is a hint of gore without really going there completely (an eyeball pops out and flies away), and while this might bother more sensitive readers, others will find the edged fantasy just right. The main characters fight off the danger and land in some pretty sticky situations, which bring exciting action scenes. It is a positive read with promises of hope and even will bring smiles and cuteness at the right moments.
There is a list of characters with descriptions at the end, which I do wish had been shoved to the front of the novel, instead, but that's only a side thought. It's an exciting adventure with an unexpected lean toward darkish fantasy (think The Labyrinth), which is sure to grab more than just corgi fans.
I received a DRC and didn't expect the style presented in these pages but enjoyed it quite a bit.
April 16, 2024
My little sister's review (11yo):
This epic graphic novel introduces readers to the magical world of Korgi Hollow.
Korgis are magical creatures that live in a magical world. They have the power to make their surroundings beautiful just by being there. Korgis coexist with woodfolk known as mollies. However, evil monsters wish to harm the Korgis. Our responsibility is to ensure that these magical creatures are protected from harm. Join the adventure of a young Mollie and her fire-breathing Korgi as they endeavor to stop the monsters.
This book caught my attention immediately because it was so unique in its way - it had no words!
This Complete Tale is a compilation of books from the popular Korgi series. Each page sets the scene before every book, so one must pay meticulous attention to the details to comprehend the story.
The artwork in the book was nothing short of stunning—the level of detail was impressive and beautiful. The Korgis were depicted adorably and playfully, perfectly capturing their innocent and lively personality. The monsters were also intriguing—some looked like fluffy balls with a giant frown, which was charming and bizarre.
If you love Korgis and believe books have too many words, this book is for you. The book's exquisite animal illustrations will make them laugh, thrill, and mesmerize. It's a delightful read that will leave you feeling happy and content.
Thank you, @netgalley @idwpublishing, for the complimentary ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This epic graphic novel introduces readers to the magical world of Korgi Hollow.
Korgis are magical creatures that live in a magical world. They have the power to make their surroundings beautiful just by being there. Korgis coexist with woodfolk known as mollies. However, evil monsters wish to harm the Korgis. Our responsibility is to ensure that these magical creatures are protected from harm. Join the adventure of a young Mollie and her fire-breathing Korgi as they endeavor to stop the monsters.
This book caught my attention immediately because it was so unique in its way - it had no words!
This Complete Tale is a compilation of books from the popular Korgi series. Each page sets the scene before every book, so one must pay meticulous attention to the details to comprehend the story.
The artwork in the book was nothing short of stunning—the level of detail was impressive and beautiful. The Korgis were depicted adorably and playfully, perfectly capturing their innocent and lively personality. The monsters were also intriguing—some looked like fluffy balls with a giant frown, which was charming and bizarre.
If you love Korgis and believe books have too many words, this book is for you. The book's exquisite animal illustrations will make them laugh, thrill, and mesmerize. It's a delightful read that will leave you feeling happy and content.
Thank you, @netgalley @idwpublishing, for the complimentary ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 20, 2024
I had read most of the Korgi books before picking up this compilation, but when I saw it and realized that the series had actually ended, I thought what better way to experience it than to start from the beginning. The fact that this is a book told without (mainly) words makes it something easy to burn through if you are re-reading some or all of it. The artwork is lovely, reminding me a lot of Mercer Mayer in the way that the creatures are depicted.
The story moves along quickly, and is pretty easy to follow. There were a few spots where I scratched my head, but the introduction to each volume set the stage enough that you could figure things out quickly if you got lost. And the whole story wraps up nicely, making the connection back to our world.
I also appreciated that this book pulled in the collection of stories, so you really are getting the whole package in a single volume. Even though it's a visual story, it's not something I'd give to a young child to thumb through. This is more mature and for later on when some of the more gruesome details won't be as icky.
I like the main characters, and while the bad guys are definitely bad, they have an interesting back story and, in the case of the alien, are pretty neat to look at.
Oh, and the thing I liked best? The character summaries at the end of the book, because they helped me to understand who was who in the zoo.
*I received an ARC via NetGalley
The story moves along quickly, and is pretty easy to follow. There were a few spots where I scratched my head, but the introduction to each volume set the stage enough that you could figure things out quickly if you got lost. And the whole story wraps up nicely, making the connection back to our world.
I also appreciated that this book pulled in the collection of stories, so you really are getting the whole package in a single volume. Even though it's a visual story, it's not something I'd give to a young child to thumb through. This is more mature and for later on when some of the more gruesome details won't be as icky.
I like the main characters, and while the bad guys are definitely bad, they have an interesting back story and, in the case of the alien, are pretty neat to look at.
Oh, and the thing I liked best? The character summaries at the end of the book, because they helped me to understand who was who in the zoo.
*I received an ARC via NetGalley
March 29, 2024
Wow! This book was an absolute surprise!
As a lover of graphic novels and children's and middle-grade books, I was excited to pick this one up. This is a collection of various stories that all feature the beloved corgi. Aside from a one-page intro, this graphic novel is completely wordless, which I love. The illustrations were well-composited, and I could follow the plot without any text. I loved creating my own fun little dialog for some of these quirky and unique characters! I found the story fun, perilous, and well thought out. Overall, I enjoyed the plot immensely.
The artwork is stunning. These breathtaking and fantastical line drawings were such a treat to gaze upon, and I found myself completely lost in the incredible details of many of them.
That said, I was surprised by the amount of darkness and mild gore in this graphic novel. I was also really surprised by the recommended age range for this one. As a parent, I can tell you my kiddo would have nightmares for months after reading this one. There is quite a bit of terrifying imagery and some mistreatment of the corgis that made me wince. Some older children might be totally fine with it, but if you have a sensitive kiddo like myself, steer clear of this one for a bit.
As an adult who loves graphic novels and children’s stories, I enjoyed this one. However, parental guidance is recommended, and I would not recommend this book to younger readers.
As a lover of graphic novels and children's and middle-grade books, I was excited to pick this one up. This is a collection of various stories that all feature the beloved corgi. Aside from a one-page intro, this graphic novel is completely wordless, which I love. The illustrations were well-composited, and I could follow the plot without any text. I loved creating my own fun little dialog for some of these quirky and unique characters! I found the story fun, perilous, and well thought out. Overall, I enjoyed the plot immensely.
The artwork is stunning. These breathtaking and fantastical line drawings were such a treat to gaze upon, and I found myself completely lost in the incredible details of many of them.
That said, I was surprised by the amount of darkness and mild gore in this graphic novel. I was also really surprised by the recommended age range for this one. As a parent, I can tell you my kiddo would have nightmares for months after reading this one. There is quite a bit of terrifying imagery and some mistreatment of the corgis that made me wince. Some older children might be totally fine with it, but if you have a sensitive kiddo like myself, steer clear of this one for a bit.
As an adult who loves graphic novels and children’s stories, I enjoyed this one. However, parental guidance is recommended, and I would not recommend this book to younger readers.
December 9, 2025
3.5 pink stars.
Cute corgis, but despite the fact that this is told all in pictures with no words, it is not suitable for young children. The aliens and monsters depicted are quite creepy. A very imaginative magical world with "korgis," elves, fairies, a magical wizard/toad, alien creatures, robots, and an undead unicorn. The short stories would be okay for young children, I think, but not some of the graphic novels. Some of the stories were a little hard to follow, although I got the jist of it. The little biographies at the end of the novels helped, and would have been more helpful up front than at the end. I did like the last tale which connects the world of 12th century medieval Wales to the magical korgi realm. Anyway, a bit of fun even if it got a little too gruesome at times.
Description: When day breaks in their woodland village, Ivy and her corgi pup, Sprout, have no idea that they’ll soon be swept up in an astonishing adventure! Soon they’ll journey across land, sea, and air, from past to present and beyond, to learn more about themselves, escape the forces of evil, and uncover the ancient mysteries behind their magical world. The sumptuously detailed pen-and-ink drawings of former Disney animator Christian Slade make every page a joy to behold, using the power of “silent comics” to bring every moment wordlessly to life for readers of all ages.
Includes all five Korgi graphic novels but also every bonus short story previously exclusive to comic books.
Cute corgis, but despite the fact that this is told all in pictures with no words, it is not suitable for young children. The aliens and monsters depicted are quite creepy. A very imaginative magical world with "korgis," elves, fairies, a magical wizard/toad, alien creatures, robots, and an undead unicorn. The short stories would be okay for young children, I think, but not some of the graphic novels. Some of the stories were a little hard to follow, although I got the jist of it. The little biographies at the end of the novels helped, and would have been more helpful up front than at the end. I did like the last tale which connects the world of 12th century medieval Wales to the magical korgi realm. Anyway, a bit of fun even if it got a little too gruesome at times.
Description: When day breaks in their woodland village, Ivy and her corgi pup, Sprout, have no idea that they’ll soon be swept up in an astonishing adventure! Soon they’ll journey across land, sea, and air, from past to present and beyond, to learn more about themselves, escape the forces of evil, and uncover the ancient mysteries behind their magical world. The sumptuously detailed pen-and-ink drawings of former Disney animator Christian Slade make every page a joy to behold, using the power of “silent comics” to bring every moment wordlessly to life for readers of all ages.
Includes all five Korgi graphic novels but also every bonus short story previously exclusive to comic books.
July 6, 2024
My husband brought this over to me in the comic book store to see if I might be interested. I was skeptical, but after the first two pages, I was delighted and hooked. This compendium is of fun, charming, silly, and, at one point, somewhat dark series of tales about the magic of Corgis. I was a little surprised by the horror (very mild) in “The Hollow Beginning” story (can’t say more without spoilers) given the charming tone of all the other stories. It did make for a nice narrative arc though. The book as a whole is delightful.
It’s a wordless graphic novel and the author did an impressive job of communicating through facial expressions and body language. The art in this series is fantastic. The images are all pen drawings which are detailed, energetic and charming. There are often hidden details in bigger scenes which are fun to look for and spot. I also really enjoyed the character drawings and glossary at the back of the book and the backstory of each character. It was as fun to read as the rest of the book.
I am interested in reading more by this author. Also, I’ve never been particularly interested in Corgis, but this book was so sweet and wonderful I kind of want a Corgi now.
It’s a wordless graphic novel and the author did an impressive job of communicating through facial expressions and body language. The art in this series is fantastic. The images are all pen drawings which are detailed, energetic and charming. There are often hidden details in bigger scenes which are fun to look for and spot. I also really enjoyed the character drawings and glossary at the back of the book and the backstory of each character. It was as fun to read as the rest of the book.
I am interested in reading more by this author. Also, I’ve never been particularly interested in Corgis, but this book was so sweet and wonderful I kind of want a Corgi now.
December 23, 2025
Korgi: The Complete Tale is a monumental, luminous work—more a visual symphony than a traditional graphic novel. Christian Slade’s background as a Disney animator is evident on every page: the pacing, the expressiveness, the sense of wonder and gentle humor all feel effortlessly cinematic.
This book is a celebration of corgis (or “korgis,” as the story affectionately calls them), those extraordinary dogs capable of making you smile simply by existing. It’s no accident that they were Queen Elizabeth II’s companions—there’s something regal, loyal, and irresistibly joyful about them. And if a cat lover like me says this, trust me: it’s absolutely true.
What makes Korgi truly special is its complete absence of words. And yet, nothing is missing. The story unfolds with clarity, emotion, and tenderness, speaking a universal language that needs no translation. It invites you into a peaceful, enchanted world—one you linger in gladly, page after page—because it feels like a place where we’d all like to live.
This is a book that makes you smile without trying, that offers quiet happiness and gentle wonder. Beautiful, heartfelt, and deeply comforting. A reading experience that leaves you lighter than when you began.
Highly recommended.
This book is a celebration of corgis (or “korgis,” as the story affectionately calls them), those extraordinary dogs capable of making you smile simply by existing. It’s no accident that they were Queen Elizabeth II’s companions—there’s something regal, loyal, and irresistibly joyful about them. And if a cat lover like me says this, trust me: it’s absolutely true.
What makes Korgi truly special is its complete absence of words. And yet, nothing is missing. The story unfolds with clarity, emotion, and tenderness, speaking a universal language that needs no translation. It invites you into a peaceful, enchanted world—one you linger in gladly, page after page—because it feels like a place where we’d all like to live.
This is a book that makes you smile without trying, that offers quiet happiness and gentle wonder. Beautiful, heartfelt, and deeply comforting. A reading experience that leaves you lighter than when you began.
Highly recommended.
June 28, 2025
I spotted this on the shelf while looking for another graphic novel and it triggered a vague sense of familiarity, but I wasn't sure if I had read it, or part of it, or just something like it; it has a similar vibe to the Flight series, but I could also have seen it at Free Comic Book Day. Anyway, turns out I had read the first three volumes of this series, of which there are 5 in total and several short stories. Re-reading it, I can see the source of my uncertainty: these stories are very cute, and the art is well drawn, but there's nothing particularly substantial to them, at least for me. They are perfectly fine, and a nice, light entertainment, but there's nothing that really would bring me back or fire up my imagination, except a few random bits that struck my fancy: the design of some strange creatures on a single page, and the idea of a sort of bipedal porcupine archer that fires its own spines from its bow (the end notes say he is named Otto, but that is of course absent from the stories, which are wordless except for introductions).
April 17, 2024
I really wanted to love this one. A graphic novel about magical corgis? It sounds perfect!
Unfortunately, it just didn't hit right for me. On the upside, the corgis were adorable and drawn really well! I felt like a lot of the art was a little flat. However, I found the fairies often seemed to be lacking a little expression. I love the idea of a magical corgi world, but that is a concept that automatically makes me happy & relaxed (like the cover did) and this was NOT the book for happy & relaxed. The enemies were very dark and without dialogue or color in the graphic novel it felt like most of my attention when reading the book went to the darkness and not the cute corgis. That could be more of a problem of my expectations based on the cover, than an actual issue with the book.
Finally, I did want to say that I loved the ending. I won't spoil it, but it was a fun way to bring some lore into the book.
Thanks to Net Galley, Christian Slade, and IDW Publishing for the opportunity to review!
Unfortunately, it just didn't hit right for me. On the upside, the corgis were adorable and drawn really well! I felt like a lot of the art was a little flat. However, I found the fairies often seemed to be lacking a little expression. I love the idea of a magical corgi world, but that is a concept that automatically makes me happy & relaxed (like the cover did) and this was NOT the book for happy & relaxed. The enemies were very dark and without dialogue or color in the graphic novel it felt like most of my attention when reading the book went to the darkness and not the cute corgis. That could be more of a problem of my expectations based on the cover, than an actual issue with the book.
Finally, I did want to say that I loved the ending. I won't spoil it, but it was a fun way to bring some lore into the book.
Thanks to Net Galley, Christian Slade, and IDW Publishing for the opportunity to review!
April 29, 2025
I've read a few of Christian Slade's Korgi stories in my day, but Korgi: The Complete Tale puts them in order and context, with over 500 pages of beautiful, wordless (except for the Frog's introductions) illustrations which, but for the sequencing, could all be spot illos in a book of fairy tales. Absolutely gorgeous work. I didn't realize before that there was a continuing saga to the somewhat surreal fable, and even a flashback (in as surprisingly paired-down art style) to the lore of Korgi Hollow AND a flash forward (or sorts) connecting it to our own world. The collection includes every Korgi story, even short, charming pieces printed in anthologies and Free Comic Book Day initiatives, as well as character sketches that tell you a bit more than can be gleaned from the silent stories. Generally, if you like cue dogs, cute fairies and/or cute Godzillas and Krakens, this is for you. As for the alien (because, yeah, it's a pretty eclectic world) being called Black 7 - I see what you did there, Christian.
March 16, 2024
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this book before publication.
This was unbelievably adorable. At first I wasn’t sure about what is essentially a Silent Book, meaning there are no words to move the story along. However, the artwork is so detailed and easily followed that there is no need for words (a statement that I never thought I’d make).
I love the relationship between the Korgis and their people. It’s so sweet and you can see how their society works in every frame. I like that we follow Korgi duo throughout the book, it makes it easier to follow the story lines. The evil characters were very interesting. We get their backstory and it’s kind of terrifying. And there’s a random alien who crash landed on the planet. I kept forgetting about the alien until he’d show up again. When the alien is on the page, it doesn’t feel jarring. In this world, anything seems possible, so I just laugh when he comes on the page.
This is a gorgeous book with awesome story lines and a great message.
This was unbelievably adorable. At first I wasn’t sure about what is essentially a Silent Book, meaning there are no words to move the story along. However, the artwork is so detailed and easily followed that there is no need for words (a statement that I never thought I’d make).
I love the relationship between the Korgis and their people. It’s so sweet and you can see how their society works in every frame. I like that we follow Korgi duo throughout the book, it makes it easier to follow the story lines. The evil characters were very interesting. We get their backstory and it’s kind of terrifying. And there’s a random alien who crash landed on the planet. I kept forgetting about the alien until he’d show up again. When the alien is on the page, it doesn’t feel jarring. In this world, anything seems possible, so I just laugh when he comes on the page.
This is a gorgeous book with awesome story lines and a great message.
April 2, 2024
Thank you NetGalley and IDW Publishing for this eARC
How can one not absolutely love a series about Corgis!
I love how well the art really really tells the story, not to mention the art is STUNNING.
This was full of adventure and action. I want to live in Korgi Hollow. It was a fun, cute, quick read. And as an artist I fully enjoyed how it was all told by the art and not words, and how absolutely fabulously it was done.
A FIRE BREATHING KORGI
OMG HORSE SIZE KORIGIS
I absolutely loved everything about this book. I love that the artwork is detailed but not too detailed because that would definitely take away from the main focuses. I love that at the beginning of every book there is a little introduction and that that introduction is done by a character that is in the stories (maybe not every book).
This book is just so completely adorable and I found myself not wanting to leave the world that has been created.
How can one not absolutely love a series about Corgis!
I love how well the art really really tells the story, not to mention the art is STUNNING.
This was full of adventure and action. I want to live in Korgi Hollow. It was a fun, cute, quick read. And as an artist I fully enjoyed how it was all told by the art and not words, and how absolutely fabulously it was done.
A FIRE BREATHING KORGI
OMG HORSE SIZE KORIGIS
I absolutely loved everything about this book. I love that the artwork is detailed but not too detailed because that would definitely take away from the main focuses. I love that at the beginning of every book there is a little introduction and that that introduction is done by a character that is in the stories (maybe not every book).
This book is just so completely adorable and I found myself not wanting to leave the world that has been created.
March 15, 2024
Thank you IDW Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with this arc in exchange for my honest review.
This was an enjoyable but at times disturbing collection of stories. Save for the introductions, no words are used. That made this a fast and easy read. The artwork are beautiful black and white drawings. What I mean with disturbing is that there were parts/drawings in each story, that could have come straight from my worst nightmares. Really nightmarish creatures I’m not sure are suitable for children. But for the most part, the stories are fun and cute and adventurous. Somewhat strange too and lots of unexpected things happen. I enjoyed reading these stories but I’m not the biggest fan of the wordless graphic novel and like I said before, I don’t feel like all of the content is suitable for children, especially for reading before bed.
This was an enjoyable but at times disturbing collection of stories. Save for the introductions, no words are used. That made this a fast and easy read. The artwork are beautiful black and white drawings. What I mean with disturbing is that there were parts/drawings in each story, that could have come straight from my worst nightmares. Really nightmarish creatures I’m not sure are suitable for children. But for the most part, the stories are fun and cute and adventurous. Somewhat strange too and lots of unexpected things happen. I enjoyed reading these stories but I’m not the biggest fan of the wordless graphic novel and like I said before, I don’t feel like all of the content is suitable for children, especially for reading before bed.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews