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Unfairies

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Prepare to enter the world of the Unfairies! A hilarious new full-colour graphic novel series from breakout talent Huw Aaron, where the epic adventure of Amulet meets the super silly humour of Bunny VS Monkey and Dog Man . . . all on the scale of The Borrowers . . .
Some stories will tell you fairies are sweet, kind, magical creatures. Well, those stories are WRONG.
It’s time everyone knew the fairies are sneaky, violent and about as magical as slugs.
Join our RECKLESS, FEARLESS and, well, CLUELESS, hero Pip on a breakneck adventure among the warring unfairy tribes of The Garden.

Expect sinister plots, dubious ancient prophecies, thrilling centipede chases, a bit of bug-bum honey . . . and a hero who doesn’t give two hoots about anything.


"I loved everything about this book. It's just SO funny' - Rob Biddulph, bestselling author of the Draw With Rob and Peanut Jones series

'You'll be wowed . . . Unfairies is enviably bonkers and I loved it.' - Sheena Dempsey, bestselling author of Pablo and Spash

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 27, 2026

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Huw Aaron

40 books6 followers

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5 stars
64 (31%)
4 stars
73 (35%)
3 stars
57 (27%)
2 stars
10 (4%)
1 star
2 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
Profile Image for Naomi.
173 reviews
August 2, 2025
I would give this more than 5 stars if I could! It's SO so funny and that ending gave me LIFE
Profile Image for Karen.
1,322 reviews12 followers
November 2, 2025
Unfairies is an entertaining twist on the traditional fairy-tale. Instead of gentle, graceful fairies, these ones race through the pages causing chaos and laughter wherever they go. The story is packed with visual jokes, quick-fire panels and exaggerated action that keeps the pace fast and exciting.

Aaron’s artwork is bold and expressive, with dramatic facial expressions and lively layouts which invite readers to look closely - there’s always another funny detail tucked into the background!

A fun, imaginative read that brings a fresh, comedic twist to fairy-tale characters and shows how much joy can come from a little (or a lot of) chaos.
411 reviews7 followers
June 8, 2026
De etterelfjes – Huw Aaron

Iedereen kent de verhalen over schattige, magische elfjes... maar die sprookjes zijn TOTAAL verzonnen! Het wordt hoog tijd dat de waarheid boven tafel komt: elfjes zijn helemaal niet zoet of lieflijk. Ze zijn brutaal, strijdlustig en net zo magisch als... een slak?!
In 'De Etterelfjes', het eerste deel van een knotsgekke serie over een wild elfenvolk, moet er dringend een rapport naar Het Departement worden gebracht. En wie is er zo roekeloos om zich daarvoor aan te melden? Juist: Pip! Dit eigenwijze elfje denkt niet na, maar stort zich halsoverkop in het avontuur - met alle gevolgen van dien. Bereid je voor op duistere complotten, epische eikeltjesgevechten, bizarre wezens, een twijfelachtige oude voorspelling en duizelingwekkende achtervolgingen op duizendpoten.

Met de kleurrijke cover, grappige schutbladen en een verhaal in stripvorm zal dit boek menig kind onmiddellijk aanspreken. En dat is al meteen een pluspunt, want een boek dat kinderen die uit zichzelf niet gauw een boek pakken aan het lezen krijgt, verdient wat mij betreft een plekje in de boekenkast.

Het doldwaze avontuur waar Pip in terecht komt, zit vol grappen en grollen waar kinderen vreselijk hard om zullen lachen. Moeilijke woorden worden niet geschuwd en ook niet altijd uitgelegd in het verhaal, dus een meelezende volwassene kan hier misschien een handje bij helpen.

En waar ik zelf verdwaalde in de chaos, had jongste kleindochter (10 jr) veel plezier met deze etterelfjes. Zij vond het verhaal vrolijk, vol kleur en verrassingen en ook nog eens een beetje spannend!

Aan het eind laat auteur Huw Aaron zien hoe je in drie stappen je eigen strip kunt bedenken. Een erg leuk extraatje waar creatieve kinderen vast wel raad mee weten.

3 ★

Bedankt Gottmer voor dit recensieboek.
Profile Image for Alexandra - Alexs books and socks.
965 reviews37 followers
June 8, 2026
Enter chaos, paniek in de boom, eerste kennismaking met bureaucratie op zijn best, oren die na vier minuten al pijn doen van verveling, een ongelooflijk eigenwijze elf, beetje ‘stout’ en nog zoveel meer en dat maakte het zo fijn om deze grafic novel van Huw Aaron te lezen, of moet ik eerder beleven zeggen.

Ik kwam dit boek een week lang in zowat elke kamer van het huis tegen op zowat alle mogelijke manieren en spotte het zelfs eens in haar boekentas dus die knettergekke etterelfjes hebben op school ook al hun intrede gedaan. Lijkt mij dus meer dan een geslaagd boek en laat ons vooral die coole grafics nog eens benadrukken.

Wat ik zo fijn vond aan dit boek is dat de manier van schrijven/vertellen met de illustraties en de ondeugendheid net een ontprikkelende prikkel waren voor haar. En laat ons eerlijk zijn, een boek met een elf die soms helemaal niet in het rijtje past en de dingen benoemt zoals hij ze ziet, dat is toch heerlijk.

Hoe dit boek er na de zomer zal uitzien kan ik niet voorspellen maar dat het deze zomer mee gaat op minstens drie kampen, dat is wel zeker.
Profile Image for Jen Hardy.
93 reviews1 follower
December 17, 2025
Unfairies is hilariously silly and beautifully illustrated. The style of the graphics reminded me of DogMan, and the story was just as silly but uplifting as all of our favourite middle grade graphic novels. This novel is sure to delight middle grade readers everywhere!
Profile Image for Bushra Kassouma.
103 reviews
February 12, 2026
This book was recommended by my son. It was a milestone for me to get recommendations from my kids. And what's best is I found out my son has excellent taste! This book is funny, witty and just great fun! A great read for kids and their adults!
Profile Image for Ciara Virk.
34 reviews2 followers
July 29, 2025
THIS IS SO CUTE I wanna be a fairy and live in an oak tree and have life be so colourful <3
Profile Image for Alicia Jones.
65 reviews2 followers
April 8, 2026
A wholesome, funny, silly graphic novel. The sub theme of how important reading is made me smile, amongst all the other silly bits!
Profile Image for Lou.
55 reviews
March 10, 2026
I didn't intend on reading this. I'd picked it up after inspecting its Book of the month counterparts and found, to my surprise, that the children's fiction was a good deal heavier than any of the other categories. Then I read the title: a fictive proper noun utilising something of a pun, its prefix colourised in the same manner as the main character's hair. I was intrigued. It all suggested a mood of deviance, if not a fair deal of subversion. And I'm happy to say that that's exactly what the reader is delivered. Now I know that its heavy in more than one way.

Huw Aaron provides you with a reinvention of the fairy archetype. Certain notions of what constitutes fairies are retained whilst others are rather gleefully abandoned. And since the story's narrator happens to be one of them, these diversions from typical characteristics are made explicit: He's very keen to correct the reader's 'uninformed' comprehension of his kind.
The setting where the fairies dwell is typical for example: what could be just a modern garden essentially makes up their universe. Atypical however is the manipulation of the setting to establish direct parallels to modern living, which also gives the fictional world a sense of logic; The ecosystem is utilised by the fairies for all kinds of familiar societal purposes, the insects which inhabit the tree for example act as public transportation and a means for delivering messages. This background also influences the discourse of the entire text. Their entire lexis, terminology, lexicology, and phrasology are all dependent on verbal associations with nature, ecology, plants, and the general outdoors. It can be quite entertaining to see this style and diction in action, as familiar idioms deviate with a harmless insertion of some signature referencing a known element of a garden, or the rapid fire delivery of puns and phonetic wordplay featuring similar linguistic deviation.
The main point here is that these fairies aren't magical, at least not in the sense of having any supernatural influence on their environment. They' reminded me slightly of Tolkein's Dwarves in a way. They spend a lot of time in the deep recesses of their environment. They're reliant on sources of energy and relationships of trade. They're divided into factions through geography and culture. And they are mischievous and trouble making amongst themselves rather than toward other creatures. To be quite frank these fairies are supreme blunderers, caught up in detrimental operations of tradition and bureaucracy. It's Pip, the self proclaimed 'Lost' fairy, with all his naivety, eccentricity and lack of inhibition and sense of convention, who effectively illuminates their flaws.

Perhaps I'm being influenced by the book's graphic form but Pip fondly reminds me of Goku from DragonBall. He's a general deviant, hailing from an unknown lineage, excited by the mere prospect of combat, and often offends those he meets with his ostensibly simplistic perspectives and ignorance. He's also single minded, which somewhat purifies him as a protagonist; he's persistent, rarely contemplating his choices or surroundings beyond a tart observation. The goal, that which aids in making this a pacy and ever developing quest, is to party. This puts him at odds with a great many of the fairies who tend to deem him as an accident prone and unintelligent nuisance, whilst some see him as an opportunity for financial and political gain.
Yes, it's a political fairy tale. The alliance from whom we have our overall point of view suffers from its internal conflicts of interest and ideology whilst also trying to uphold civil relations with the forces beyond the oak tree in which they mostly dwell. Pip therefore signifies the spirit of revolution. He's a foil for the recalcitrant and unimaginative system of government. But he's not entirely infallible - since he does, albeit innocently, become embroiled in corrupt practices of resource distribution in the supposed name of the greater good.
Indeed, Unfairies makes for an entertaining piece of satire, having a distinct flavour of Monty Python at certain points thanks to its tendency to juxtapose conventionality and ostensible common sense with more idealistic and simplified ways of thinking. Stagnant democracy, excessive bureaucracy, indoctrination and war are not the only targets in the book's sights, it aims for story telling conventions too. Like Monty Python films it utilises a typical fantastical quest narrative to poke fun at and subvert. This in turn encourages a fair bit of explicit and implicit meta humour. The panels themselves might dissolve at a point of overt commentary on the authorial nature of the reality at hand, or Pip might highlight a minor plot hole or logical inconsistency. It becomes a story that, in a self-effacing sense, teaches the reader about typical story structure through its attention to traditional elements, standard cliches, and its sparing use of what one might call a self-conscious narrator – a character playing a part in the story themselves.
But its competently structured on its own merits too. The aforementioned goal is soon sidetracked, before getting sidetracked again with a development of a suspense element, before that too gets subverted and the quest deepens further. The narrative as a whole is essentially divided through the geography of the setting. What may as well be chapters take place in very particular parts of the tree. And where they are is dependent on the requirements of whatever mission Pip has unwittingly landed himself in. And each setting is marvellously illustrated, Aaron quite rightly credits the colourist for their contribution to it. Page 80 foregrounds a change of narrative pace through a use of otherwise rarely seen pinks and creams, allowing for a sense of relief and clarity to wash over the reader.

Overall this is as entertaining and clever a children's graphic novel as you could hope to find. It's not ashamed to have fun and be silly whilst dealing with loftier themes. I await part 2 eagerly, and I suggest the younger ones get up to speed for it.
Profile Image for Dana.
36 reviews2 followers
August 15, 2025
Well illustrated and visually fun with extra side jokes and visual humor. It lacked story and I grew tired of it. I hated the main character who seemed to have two character identities one was being 'bored' all the time while the other was taking several bathroom breaks. Dull, but as I'm not the intended audience, I expect it'll do well for children.
Profile Image for Cosyreaderscorner.
109 reviews2 followers
July 26, 2025
Got to read this before it was published and I when I say kids and adults alike need to read this I’m not joking. This was so funny and joyful and just a pleasure to read.

Great for fans of DogMan and Bunny vs Monkey. You won’t be disappointed
210 reviews
June 9, 2026
Dit bericht begint met een waarschuwing! Het boek ‘De etterelfjes’ veranderde mijn kinderen namelijk in ettertjes! “NIET stoppen!”, “Ga nou doohooooor!” – gaat op moeder liggen zodat die niet weg kan – “Nou, dan lees ik wel zelf verder!”, waarop de jongste boos werd want “Nee! Dan weet ik niet hoe het verder gaat!”. Het was dus hard werken bij het voorlezen van dit boek 😆 Ook omdat het een graphic novel is, en dat niet zo lekker voorleest, maar voor de recensie wilde ik graag een gezamenlijke reactie, dus ik ben ervoor gegaan!

Hoewel het format niet lekker voorleest, doet de inhoud dat wel. Ik kon behoorlijk goed los gaan op strijdkreten en verontwaardigde uitroepen! Deze graphic novel is namelijk niet voor de weekhartigen onder ons. Elfjes zijn namelijk niet zo schattig als we altijd dachten. Zoals de naam al aangeeft zijn het nogal ettertjes. Ze maken ruzie, er zijn complotten, geweld wordt niet geschuwd en ze kunnen ook enorm eigenwijs zijn. Met name hoofdpersoon Pop, o nee ik bedoel Pup, nee Poep – hard gelach van de jongens –, correctie: Pip, kan er wat van, dus heel fijn dat mijn kinderen die het allerliefste wilde “zijn” 🤪

Het verhaal is chaotisch, maar de tekstballonnen en overzichtspagina’s zijn wel overzichtelijk. Toch kon ik het verhaal niet altijd lekker volgen, en de jongens hadden daar soms ook moeite mee. Dat maakt dat ik de leeftijdsindicatie van ‘vanaf 7 jaar’ niet helemaal kan volgen. Ook gezien de inhoud zou ik eerder voor een jaar of 9 gaan.

Over 9-jarigen gesproken, als laatste laat ik mijn eigen 9-jarige aan het woord. Zoals hierboven staat was hij dus enthousiast over dit boek, en dit is waarom: “Het is grappig en heeft echt veel humor, het is daarnaast ook spannend en soms ook eng (vooral de spin vond mijn mama eng). Verder is het avontuurlijk en de tekeningen zijn in een mooie stijl getekend. Aan het einde wordt duidelijk dat er een tweede deel komt, en die ga ik zeker lezen!”

Hartelijk dank voor dit recensie-exemplaar @gottmerkinderboeken!
Profile Image for Annette Langedijk.
498 reviews3 followers
June 6, 2026
De Etterelfjes is een nieuwe serie van cartoonist Huw Aaron. Dit is het eerste deel en in het Engels zijn er al 3 delen verschenen, dus we kunnen weer even voort.

“Het is de tijd voor de waarheid over elfjes!”

En de waarheid is dat elfjes niet zo lief en schattig zijn als we allemaal denken (of sprookjes ons willen doen laten geloven ;-)) Het zijn strijdlustige wezens die altijd ruzie hebben. Ze wonen in Eikburg, een vesting in een oude eikenboom.

In dit verhaal speelt Pip de heldenrol, al is hij ‘een sukkel’ en ‘een nul’. Pip wordt op pad gestuurd om aan de Hoofdambtenaar van Het Departement te gaan vertellen dat alle voorraden beschimmeld zijn. Een afschuwelijke en doodenge taak… blijkbaar. Maar de impulsieve stuiterbal Pip ziet het allemaal als één groot avontuur.

De reis door de boom is al een hele klus. Hij moet langs verschillende afdelingen, formulieren invullen en onderweg natuurlijk even plassen. De hoofdambtenaar wil dat hij de mededeling naar de boomraad brengt. Gelukkig ontmoet hij Plakker die hem een beetje probeert te helpen, hoewel die zo gestresst is dat het wellicht juist tegenwerkt :D

Dit is echt weer zo’n serie waar de kinderen van de middenbouw heel goed op gaan. Een hysterisch stripverhaal vol grappen en met veel kleur.

“We zullen je moed en domheid nooit vergeten. Het magazijn zal je naam eren,... eh… “
“Pip”
… “Juist. Pip.”

Flauwe humor en taalgrappen die ook bij mij af en toe een grijns ontlokken. Kortom een boek vol actie, chaos, epische gevechten en brutale elfjes. Heerlijk!
Achterin staat nog een les striptekenen van de schrijver/illustrator.
Geschikt voor kinderen vanaf 7 jaar om lekker zelf te lezen (voorlezen lijkt mee een hele klus ;-))
Profile Image for Alice magical library.
330 reviews6 followers
August 24, 2025
I loved this graphic novel! It was beautifully illustrated, and it was just complete and utter chaos which I absolutely loved!

Pip is a fairy who goes on an epic mission! What starts off as a simple quest to deliver a report to the dreaded department turns into a brutal journey to find food for all of the fairies and find the hero that will fulfil the ancient prophecy. Will Pip complete his mission with the friends he meets along the way before it’s too late?

I loved reading this graphic novel! The characters were just amazing, and I didn’t want to put it down! It was jam packed with jokes that made me laugh out loud, action, and complete and utter chaos! I really enjoyed Huw’s writing style, and I hope to read more of his work, especially the sequel which comes out next year!

Profile Image for Mrs.MakesReadingFun.
687 reviews13 followers
December 9, 2025
The Unfairies is a chaotic, funny, and totally entertaining graphic novel that turns every fairy stereotype upside down. Packed with sneaky factions, over-the-top battles, and nonstop twists, it’s a fast and playful read perfect for fans of quirky adventure. Pip, the clueless but lovable tree fairy at the center of it all, brings so much humour to the story as he stumbles into prophecies, acorn warfare, and fairy politics. A great pick for readers who enjoy silly, high-energy fun with lots of visual charm.
1,966 reviews8 followers
March 7, 2026
I liked Pip. He's a great friend, his enthusiasm is unmatched, he's willing to try anything and he gets himself out of the trouble he causes. He has a mission, sent from the stores into the upper tree to tell them the food has gone moldy. A search for food ensues. Pip looks at it all like a great adventure. He takes it to heart to do the tasks he is asked to do but he does them his way which causes problems but the Pip is the one that resolves those problems. He causes chaos and is a hero. I really enjoyed his character.
Profile Image for Stephen.
1,710 reviews4 followers
May 27, 2026
Huw Aaron pours a lot into this amazing graphic novel. Just over 250 pages of jokes, revelations and interesting interactions. It really makes you think about Fairies and how we imagine them to be…vice (at least in this story) how some of them turn out to be. Lots to love with the style in which these pages were rendered and definitely the stuff of a series. I am a fan when the book ends and you know there is more to come! That is how I left these pages, and I will say Pip is a main character that grows on you quickly! The best part…is there is more to come!
Profile Image for Louise.
184 reviews20 followers
May 23, 2026
This was silly and amusing - it felt like an episode of Parks and Rec if acted by fairy folk, with slightly more juvenile humor. I didn't actually love it - in fact, I almost DNF'ed it. But I can definitely see little kids digging this (it is a children's book, after all).

Note: Alongside my regular reading, I am reading at least one children's graphic novel per week from my library's collection to strengthen my reader's advisory in all graphic novel subgenres.
Profile Image for Villain E.
4,187 reviews21 followers
April 11, 2026
The kids were entertained.

These fairies are small, can't fly, and don't have magic. Our simple and impulsive protagonist Pip is entrusted with a message from the stores to the upper office. He manages to get himself mixed up in the politics of the Tree.

I wasn't a fan of the loose art or the dumb protagonist, but I'm not the target audience.
Profile Image for Judith Johnson.
Author 1 book104 followers
August 17, 2026
Recommended by my 9 year old granddaughter- I much enjoyed the read, full of good jokes. A modern take on the traditional comic with some witty fun for the grown-ups: particularly tickled by the orange-faced leader of the veg fairies - “… I’m the greatest, most ruler-est of them all! I really, really am. So great. So ruler-y.”
Profile Image for Carrie.
2,806 reviews61 followers
February 16, 2026
I thought the pacing was a little too frenetic here in a way that didn’t allow the reader space to breathe. It also dealt quite a bit with adult issues like bureaucracy and reminded me of the movie Brazil which is not the comparison you would usually make with a children’s book.
1,223 reviews
April 8, 2026
Giving Monster and the Maze.
Zany energy of Pip, a storage fairy who only wants to party, getting involved in the politics of an oak tree and all it's other inhabitants. Cool diagrams and amazing cutaways (with funny bits), amid jockeying for power and manipulating the masses.
Profile Image for Fabian Williges.
Author 15 books10 followers
August 17, 2025
Nice one! An adult reader might find some similarities to our "unfairy" world...
Profile Image for Caroline.
2,357 reviews29 followers
February 11, 2026
I can definitely see the audience for this book... but I am not it. I had the hardest time getting invested in this book.
Profile Image for Mara K..
292 reviews1 follower
March 9, 2026
funny, but with great plot twists and full circle moments.
a joy to read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews