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Bog Myrtle
“I adore this book as much as I adore empowered spiders, poker-faced narrators, and cooperative bookstores. It’s wry, whip-smart, and freaking gorgeous. Sid Sharp is a maestro of comic timing and subversion.” —Kyo Maclear, author of It Began With a Page
From the acclaimed author of The Wolf Suit comes another weirdly hilarious, masterfully thought-provoking, and lushly painted early reader graphic novel.
Two sisters, one stubbornly cheerful (Beatrice) and one relentlessly grumpy (Magnolia), live in a drafty old house with a family of helpful spiders. When Beatrice is gifted magic yarn from a giant forest spider obsessed with sustainability named Bog Myrtle, she and the spiders set to work knitting up a perfectly warm sweater.
But greedy Magnolia sees only the opportunity for profit, and quickly converts the old house into a magic sweater factory. The exhausted spiders are driven to strike, and Bog Myrtle is not pleased . . .
Bog Myrtle is a witty modern folktale that touches on themes of capitalism, environmentalism, labor rights, and being a nice person.
From the acclaimed author of The Wolf Suit comes another weirdly hilarious, masterfully thought-provoking, and lushly painted early reader graphic novel.
Two sisters, one stubbornly cheerful (Beatrice) and one relentlessly grumpy (Magnolia), live in a drafty old house with a family of helpful spiders. When Beatrice is gifted magic yarn from a giant forest spider obsessed with sustainability named Bog Myrtle, she and the spiders set to work knitting up a perfectly warm sweater.
But greedy Magnolia sees only the opportunity for profit, and quickly converts the old house into a magic sweater factory. The exhausted spiders are driven to strike, and Bog Myrtle is not pleased . . .
Bog Myrtle is a witty modern folktale that touches on themes of capitalism, environmentalism, labor rights, and being a nice person.
144 pages, Hardcover
First published October 8, 2024
7 people are currently reading
1115 people want to read
About the author
Sid Sharp
2 books42 followersSid is an artist and illustrator from Toronto who makes drawings, paintings, and comics. Their interests include folklore, horror stories, mysterious and unknowable things, and finding good sticks for their stick collection. Sid went to OCAD University, works in a bookstore, and published The Wolf Suit, their first graphic novel for kids, with Annick Press in 2022. Their new book with Annick, Bog Myrtle, comes out in October 2024.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 331 reviews
February 28, 2025
6 Stars! Best book ever 🕷️
April 4, 2024
Oh hello, this is a wonderful graphic novel for kids!
Two sisters, Beatrice and Magnolia, one lovely and fun, the other kind of horrible and mean respectively, live together in a house with a bunch of chirpy spiders. One day, Beatrice goes into the woods to find 'treasures', and she meets Bog Myrtle, who, as you may have guessed, lives in a bog, and is generally talked about as if she's a horrible monster. She is kind of a monster, but not really horrible, so she gives Beatrice a special silky yarn that she produces from, and I quote, her butt.
And then Beatrice and the spiders create a lovely magic sweater for the horrid Magnolia, who then gets dollar signs in her horrible eyes, and wants Beatrice to mass produce more magic sweaters so she can sell them. Do not worry, it all ends well, albeit in a lovely and quite dark, Roald Dahl-ish way!
I've reviewed Sid Sharp's debut graphic novel, The Wolf Suit, positively before, but Bog Myrtle kicks it into another gear - the art is even more wonderful, but the book is also extremely funny.
Bye!
(Thanks to Annick Press for providing me with an ARC through Edelweiss)
Two sisters, Beatrice and Magnolia, one lovely and fun, the other kind of horrible and mean respectively, live together in a house with a bunch of chirpy spiders. One day, Beatrice goes into the woods to find 'treasures', and she meets Bog Myrtle, who, as you may have guessed, lives in a bog, and is generally talked about as if she's a horrible monster. She is kind of a monster, but not really horrible, so she gives Beatrice a special silky yarn that she produces from, and I quote, her butt.
And then Beatrice and the spiders create a lovely magic sweater for the horrid Magnolia, who then gets dollar signs in her horrible eyes, and wants Beatrice to mass produce more magic sweaters so she can sell them. Do not worry, it all ends well, albeit in a lovely and quite dark, Roald Dahl-ish way!
I've reviewed Sid Sharp's debut graphic novel, The Wolf Suit, positively before, but Bog Myrtle kicks it into another gear - the art is even more wonderful, but the book is also extremely funny.
Bye!
(Thanks to Annick Press for providing me with an ARC through Edelweiss)
April 13, 2024
Ok wait I did not expect to love this but it was so fun.
This is a childrens graphic novel about two sisters (Beatrice and Magnolia) that live in the woods. Beatrice is sweet and kind and Magnolia is grumpy and evil. They are very poor and eat rats, but when Beatrice realises her sister Magnolia is cold, she goes on a journey to find yarn to knit her a sweater.
This was a super quick read and touched on labor rights, sustainability, and capitalism, all while being funny and charming. I literally laughed out loud multiple times while reading this.
Obviously the lessons learned are very obvious/spelled out which some older readers may not love, but since it's a childrens book I definitely understand.
*Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the free digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is a childrens graphic novel about two sisters (Beatrice and Magnolia) that live in the woods. Beatrice is sweet and kind and Magnolia is grumpy and evil. They are very poor and eat rats, but when Beatrice realises her sister Magnolia is cold, she goes on a journey to find yarn to knit her a sweater.
This was a super quick read and touched on labor rights, sustainability, and capitalism, all while being funny and charming. I literally laughed out loud multiple times while reading this.
Obviously the lessons learned are very obvious/spelled out which some older readers may not love, but since it's a childrens book I definitely understand.
*Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the free digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 14, 2024
Kids book that touched on labor rights, sustainability, and equity? Okay pop off!
October 8, 2024
Now this is more my speed!
While to you, reader, it's been a few weeks since I ventured into picture book reviews, it's actually just the next day. So, hi, from the past, hello to the future. I'm loving this current trend of me dipping into these kinds of reads which, granted, were good up until now but this.. this was great.
Witty, irreverent and subversive, and also very timely, this touches on things as simple as being and considerate and yet also deals with sustainability (spoiler, my favourite quote has to do with this) and respecting the environment. Oh, and it's gorgeously illustrated, with full colour pages in a style that hits just right for me. It might be too soon to bring this to my nieces as it is a little dark in both tone and shade, with some potentially spooky and definitely creepy crawly elements, but I honestly can't wait until they are a little older and can (hopefully) appreciate it. And in the meantime I absolutely plan to revisit this and enjoy it again because this genuinely made me laugh a few times.
"I thought she was going to eat me, but it turns out she's just really into sustainability."
Highly recommend!
** I received a finished copy from the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
---
This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
While to you, reader, it's been a few weeks since I ventured into picture book reviews, it's actually just the next day. So, hi, from the past, hello to the future. I'm loving this current trend of me dipping into these kinds of reads which, granted, were good up until now but this.. this was great.
Witty, irreverent and subversive, and also very timely, this touches on things as simple as being and considerate and yet also deals with sustainability (spoiler, my favourite quote has to do with this) and respecting the environment. Oh, and it's gorgeously illustrated, with full colour pages in a style that hits just right for me. It might be too soon to bring this to my nieces as it is a little dark in both tone and shade, with some potentially spooky and definitely creepy crawly elements, but I honestly can't wait until they are a little older and can (hopefully) appreciate it. And in the meantime I absolutely plan to revisit this and enjoy it again because this genuinely made me laugh a few times.
"I thought she was going to eat me, but it turns out she's just really into sustainability."
Highly recommend!
** I received a finished copy from the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
---
This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
April 22, 2025
anti Kapitalismus und Ausnutzung mit gastauftritt Nestlé für Kinder???? count me in
December 26, 2024
The art in this graphic novel was lovely. It was lush and weird and just the right balance of cute and creepy. I loved the kid-friendly exploration of workers rights, sustainability, and capitalism in this fairytale-esque world. The hilarious surprise ending really cemented its place in my heart.
February 26, 2025
Unhinged aber grossartig. Ein antikapitalistisches Bilderbuch über den Umgang mit den Schätzen der Natur. Inklusive einer streikenden Spinnen-Gewerkschaft!
May 28, 2024
This is not normally a genre I write reviews for but I think I'm missing out. The storyline and the illustrations were so unique and delightful. Thankfully the spider illustrations weren't scary! I enjoyed the dialogue between the characters. But most importantly there were a lot of lessons within this book that can be easily learned and digested. Without any spoilers I will say I laughed out loud when I read Magnolia's last scene. #solidarityforspiders
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 29, 2025
A wonderful little book with beautiful illustrations and clever writing that has inspired me as an artist and put thoughts into my head about working in children’s publishing which I never would have considered before.
There was something so nostalgic about having this in my hands and Beatrice’s story is one of both quiet comfort and loud resistance. Learning how to appreciate the small things, to stop and smell the roses, as well as standing up for people in need and protecting the environment. Flipping through these pages reminded me how significant illustrated books and graphic novels were to me as an early reader in nurturing my love of both art and reading.
Bog Myrtle has set me back on that path I’d since abandoned but have evidently been longing for. Here’s to following Beatrice’s footsteps through the fantastical forest of my dreams, where I anticipate picking up many treasures along my way (but in a sustainable way of course). I was lucky to meet Sid and some of the Annick Press team at WOTS and will definitely be following along with their future projects.
There was something so nostalgic about having this in my hands and Beatrice’s story is one of both quiet comfort and loud resistance. Learning how to appreciate the small things, to stop and smell the roses, as well as standing up for people in need and protecting the environment. Flipping through these pages reminded me how significant illustrated books and graphic novels were to me as an early reader in nurturing my love of both art and reading.
Bog Myrtle has set me back on that path I’d since abandoned but have evidently been longing for. Here’s to following Beatrice’s footsteps through the fantastical forest of my dreams, where I anticipate picking up many treasures along my way (but in a sustainable way of course). I was lucky to meet Sid and some of the Annick Press team at WOTS and will definitely be following along with their future projects.
December 13, 2024
OBSESSED
April 21, 2025
This is a kid’s book but it’s so cute and I loled multiple times
May 23, 2025
Karl Marx would have LOVED Bog Myrtle
September 1, 2024
found this as an ARC in my local little free library and it is so cute! absolutely not something i would have read otherwise but the cover, sweetly done art, and environmental ethics made me go “oooooo”
it was cute, it was lightly educational, it was a nice way to spend a half hour in the back porch with a strawberry marg
it was cute, it was lightly educational, it was a nice way to spend a half hour in the back porch with a strawberry marg
April 21, 2025
This story was so cute. I love the art style. It felt very rustic and almost Appalachian? The message was very sweet and the spiders were so funny. Very quick, adorable read. A delightful fairy tale.
September 25, 2025
Phenomonal childrens book! I LOVE the illustrations that are just equally weird yet also super endearing! Made me cackle out loud and I know the little child weirdo that I was wouldve loved this!
October 1, 2024
5++ Stars!!!!!
This was the BEST [and funniest] book I have read in a long time. Vividly illustrated [be on the lookout for the little details - they are delightful and often hilarious], this book tell the story of Beatrice, who is endlessly happy, and Magnolia, who is...not. It is also the story of a forest, a town, magic yarn, and a protector of the forest, Bog Myrtle [who is my new spirit animal for real]. The adventure of these players is hilarious, thought-provoking, and ends up teaching us a lesson we all either need to learn or need to be reminded of.
This was just fantastic and I will be recommending it to everyone I know!!
Thank you to NetGalley, Sid Sharp, and Annick Press LTD. for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was the BEST [and funniest] book I have read in a long time. Vividly illustrated [be on the lookout for the little details - they are delightful and often hilarious], this book tell the story of Beatrice, who is endlessly happy, and Magnolia, who is...not. It is also the story of a forest, a town, magic yarn, and a protector of the forest, Bog Myrtle [who is my new spirit animal for real]. The adventure of these players is hilarious, thought-provoking, and ends up teaching us a lesson we all either need to learn or need to be reminded of.
This was just fantastic and I will be recommending it to everyone I know!!
Thank you to NetGalley, Sid Sharp, and Annick Press LTD. for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 27, 2024
This was so cute and silly. But cute for kids but also for adults. It’s one that is enjoyed by any who read, which is hard ESPECIALLY for a GN.
It was whimsical and very very funny. Every other page was a silly little joke. It’s the book version of Over The Garden Wall.
I also LOVED the illustration style. I’ll probably try to find a print of this story somewhere to hang up!!
All forest and kindness and exploring vibes. Modern frog and toad style. Just so enchanting!!
It was whimsical and very very funny. Every other page was a silly little joke. It’s the book version of Over The Garden Wall.
I also LOVED the illustration style. I’ll probably try to find a print of this story somewhere to hang up!!
All forest and kindness and exploring vibes. Modern frog and toad style. Just so enchanting!!
April 20, 2024
(I work in a library now and reading children's books comes with the territory lol.) Fun illustrations and good story! Was it overly simplistic with the sister? Yeah, it's a picture book. (Side note why are we calling it a children's graphic novel, this is a picture book...) Fun, offbeat, tells kids not to cross picket lines for worker solidarity. What else do you need.
June 16, 2024
If Sid Sharp has zero fans I am dead
August 25, 2024
Loved this!! Amazing illustrations!
Thank you to the publisher for my gifted review copy!
Thank you to the publisher for my gifted review copy!
November 7, 2024
Best kids book I’ve read in a while, I loveddd this
November 13, 2024
STUNNING. NO NOTES.
November 16, 2024
For unremitting cheerfulness, Beatrice leaves SpongeBob SquarePants and Bubbles Utonium in the dust.
November 27, 2024
I adored everything about this.
October 11, 2025
This was cute up until the spiders went on strike, then it became exceptional.
June 2, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!
I adored this book!! It had the cutest illustrations-the little treasures Beatrice collects from the forest, the path through the town showing all the rows of cute houses, and the beautiful, intricate silk sweater she makes for Magnolia. I also thought the writing was witty and quirky-the sisters’ dialogue was funny and I liked how at the very end it shows Magnolia in Bog Myrtle’s stomach saying “whatever!”. Definitely ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars for me!!
I adored this book!! It had the cutest illustrations-the little treasures Beatrice collects from the forest, the path through the town showing all the rows of cute houses, and the beautiful, intricate silk sweater she makes for Magnolia. I also thought the writing was witty and quirky-the sisters’ dialogue was funny and I liked how at the very end it shows Magnolia in Bog Myrtle’s stomach saying “whatever!”. Definitely ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars for me!!
January 24, 2025
12012025: in which spiders go on strike, bog silk sweaters are sold, and a wicked sister gets her comeuppance. a short, magical, delightful read, with wonderful art, solid cadence, and good pacing.
March 29, 2024
I can't stop thinking about this graphic novel.
As soon as I put it down, it occupied my thoughts for the rest of the night.
Let's start with the characters. I adored both Beatrice and Bog Myrtle. Beatrice is a breath of fresh air and has such a lovely personality. I also loved Bog Myrtle and their love of the forest. Although extremely grumpy and greedy, Magnolia made me laugh, and her character design was perfect!
The artwork of this graphic novel is also top-notch. I loved the drearyness of the home but the calm of the forest. The illustrations are unique and expressive, and every page dazzled me.
The story is really where this graphic novel shines. The emphasis on environmentalism was excellent and extremely meaningful. The focus on labor rights, however, is what made me love this book so much more. Labor rights are such an important topic, and it was fantastic to see it as a focus of this book. It was done so in a way that young minds can easily understand and recognize the importance of worker rights.
Overall, I am so delighted to have read this graphic novel and plan to share it with my kids once they are a bit older.
Thank you to NetGalley and Annick Press Ltd. for the arc of this book.
As soon as I put it down, it occupied my thoughts for the rest of the night.
Let's start with the characters. I adored both Beatrice and Bog Myrtle. Beatrice is a breath of fresh air and has such a lovely personality. I also loved Bog Myrtle and their love of the forest. Although extremely grumpy and greedy, Magnolia made me laugh, and her character design was perfect!
The artwork of this graphic novel is also top-notch. I loved the drearyness of the home but the calm of the forest. The illustrations are unique and expressive, and every page dazzled me.
The story is really where this graphic novel shines. The emphasis on environmentalism was excellent and extremely meaningful. The focus on labor rights, however, is what made me love this book so much more. Labor rights are such an important topic, and it was fantastic to see it as a focus of this book. It was done so in a way that young minds can easily understand and recognize the importance of worker rights.
Overall, I am so delighted to have read this graphic novel and plan to share it with my kids once they are a bit older.
Thank you to NetGalley and Annick Press Ltd. for the arc of this book.
February 10, 2025
Best comic I have read all year and instantly one of my all-time favorites.
"Bog Myrtle" is basically a gothic retelling of „Mother Hulda“: Beatrice and Magnolia are two very different sisters living in a decrepit old house. Magnolia is so grumpy and mean, even the spiders are scared of her. Her sister Beatrice is cheerful, resourceful and kind, she's always accompanied by her spider friends. By collecting beautiful things in the woods and trying to exchange them for yarn because the sisters have no money, she wants to knit a sweater to make Magnolia more comfortable. Beatrice's original plan is not working out, but she meets a giant spider named Bog Myrtle in the forest who gifts her magic yarn for a perfect magic sweater. But all her greedy sister sees in the wonderful gift is profit: she turns their home into a sweater factory! Soon, all spiders are on strike…
This story is EVERYTHING: funny, dark, clever, with unbelievably beautiful illustrations. "Bog Myrtle" is a celebration of DIY culture, sustainability and kindness. Great starting point to talk to your kids about labor rights, too! Have you ever seen a spider picket line!?!? Best thing in the world <3.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 331 reviews