Garlic and the Vampire

Garlic #1

by Bree Paulsen

A farm-fresh debut graphic novel starring a heroine who is braver than she realizes.

Garlic feels as though she’s always doing something wrong. At least with her friend Carrot by her side and the kindly Witch Agnes encouraging her, Garlic is happy to just tend her garden, where it’s nice and safe.

But when her village of vegetable folk learns that a bloodthirsty vampire has moved into the nearby castle, they all agree that, in spite of her fear and self-doubt, Garlic is the obvious choice to confront him. And with everyone counting on her, Garlic reluctantly agrees to face the mysterious vampire, hoping she has what it takes.

After all, garlic drives away vampires…right?

Genres: Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Vampires, Comics, Fiction, Childrens

160 pages, Hardcover

First published September 28, 2021

About the author

Bree Paulsen is a native of Southern California in love with all things autumnal. After graduating from the Laguna College of Art and Design with a BFA in animation, she freelanced on a few independent animation and illustration projects before turning her focus toward comics. She started her webcomic for adults, Patrik the Vampire, in 2013 and self-publishes its printed volumes. Garlic and the Vampire is her first traditionally published book.

Reviews

[destiny ♡ howling libraries · Rating 5 out of 5]

re-read review (September 2022):

My love language is convincing people to read this book

———

original review (September 2021):

This was genuinely one of the most precious, wholesome, delightful things I've ever read in my life. If you enjoy cute, fluffy graphic novels featuring magical creatures, witches, vampires, beautiful artwork, and sweet, authentic anxiety rep, you absolutely, 100% need this in your life. Oh, and the main character's best friend casually uses they/them pronouns, and frankly, I would fight for Garlic and Carrot without hesitation because they're both flawless, soft little beans who deserve only happiness. No, you're emotional over fictional produce-people.

Thank you so much to the publisher for providing me with this review copy in exchange for an honest review!

———
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[Miranda Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

"You are much braver than you think."

Garlic lives in a witch's garden with all of her various vegetable neighbors. Together they help cultivate consentient versions of themselves - Garlic grows garlic, Carrot grows carrots, etc.

One day the veggies find out that a vampire moved into the abandoned castle nearby. And that sends them into a panic. All of them are terrified of what the vampire means for themselves and their dear witch.

And so they decide that they must do something about it...and by 'they', the vegetables mean Garlic. Since Garlic is the one most likely to have resistance to vampires...theoretically.

And so she (not so) bravely goes out into the scary woods to confront a vampire of all things!

I ended up liking this one a lot!!

Garlic was a very cute protagonist who was both realistically terrified and relatably anxious (even if I had some natural resistance to vampires...that doesn't mean I want to go tangling with them!).

One thing that really stood out was the gorgeous art style - the author did such a great job with the color palette, expressions on the characters' faces, and overall feel of the graphic novel. It really elevated the book for me!

The plot was short but sweet and a smidge spooky - though far more cozy than spooky!

Overall, really liked it - great fall read.

[ally]

🧄 so wholesome and heartwarming 🌈
read this in a hospital waiting room and was so comforted. endlessly thankful. immediately onto the sequel!

[Riley · Rating 4 out of 5]

SO COZY!

[karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

the above seems like awfully dark content for a middle-grade graphic novel—a tomato selling baby tomatoes for human consumption, but never fear—in this world, sentient fruits and veggies do work as gardeners, but they only grow non-sentient versions of themselves because magic.



although they can bring their produce to life with the right incantations and intentions



which possibility is very concerning, especially to our bulbous heroine, who is such a frazzled ball of anxiety, it's fortunate for her that garlic is good for preventing and treating ulcers.



admittedly, it's a truly terrifying prospect, and she's right to freak out over the thought of accidentally selling her babies as ingredients, but for whatever reason, the author decided to sweep that under the rug and introduce a whole 'nother conflict—a vampire.



even though she's for sure the most high-strung member of the vegetable path, she is garlic, after all—a walking, talking bulb of vampire-repellant, so she's the best candidate to send to confront the vampire.



yeah, that's what i just said!

honestly, i'm not sure what the garden-folk are in such a panic about—it would be one thing if it were carrot-sucking bunnicula come to dwell in their veggie-valley, but maybe sentient plants have blood? this world is a mystery to me...



in any event, garlic rides a bird, is betrayed by a celery, and meets the vampire and things go the way you expect they will go in a children's book.

HOWEVER

it makes no sense to me that the vampire's explanation—that he only occasionally drinks a sip or two of blood from the local wildlife and more typically drinks a beetroot and tomato juice blend with a hint of lime and a pinch of cayenne, should be LESS alarming to someone who is actual friends with beets and tomatoes—that's weird, right? and he says it's "good for the blood," which i suppose is what passes for vampire-humor, but even though they are both gardeners and it's a lovely bonding moment, i would, were i a garlic bulb with an anxiety disorder, be very wary of a vampire who prefers vegetable juice to mammal blood, especially one who buries the lede that he's been working on a 'proper blood alternative' for years, and me standing there with whatever kind of blood/juice mishmash a sentient plant's got inside of them, just BAITING his experimental urges.

and maybe i'm expecting too much from a graphic novel for the 8-12 set, but if there's one thing i know about children, it's that they ask A LOT of questions, and if you're someone who's in any way responsible for making sure that kids don't have nightmares, you may want to have an answer to this one at the ready.

come to my blog!

[Rosh (will be MiA for a fortnight!) · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a Nutshell: A sweet middle-grade graphic novel featuring anthropomorphic vegetables, a witch, and a vampire. Great story, cute illustrations, nice themes, lovely ending. Much recommended!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Plot Preview:

Garlic likes to work in the vegetable garden along with Carrot and the other vegetables. However, she is very uncertain of herself and constantly battles self-doubt and anxiety. Even Carrot’s encouraging words and the kind witch Agnes’ encouragement don’t help.
When the vegetable village learns that a vampire has moved into the nearby castle, they all agree that Garlic is the best *person* to drive him away as vampires hate garlic. However, Garlic herself isn’t sure if she has what it takes to do such a brave thing. But can she let her friends down?

Bookish Yays:
🥬 The anthropomorphic veggie characters, each with their distinct personality traits. My favourites were Garlic, her best friend Carrot and the dour-faced Potato. I hope kids will learn to love veggies more after reading this book. (Then again, this story might also make them hate Celery! 😉)

🥬 The only two human-like characters are Agnes the kind witch whose garden the vegetables work in, and the Vampire (I wonder if he is Patrik from this author’s unfinished graphic novel series!I read Patrik the Vampire from the author's site; he is not the same fella!) I love how both of them break stereotypes. Kids books rarely show these types of characters in a positive light, so it will reinforce the idea of not judging based on looks or hearsay.

🥬 The plot is simple and yet carries many important life lessons for little readers. It covers the themes of mental health and anxiety. It demonstrates the importance of having a good and reliable friend on whom you can count for encouragement and positive thinking when you feel low. It also shows the necessity of sleep during times of stress.

🥬 The illustrations are perfect for the story. The colour palette is kept earthy, in keeping with the dominant characters and the nature-focussed narrative. I especially loved the illustrations under the chapter titles, which showed a garlic clove budding into its own new plant.


Bookish Mixed Bags:
🥦 The only part I am unsure about is why the vegetables use “Grapes!” and “Cheese ‘n’ chives!” as exclamatory phrases. Though Grape and Chive aren’t characters in this book, it still feels funny to see one vegetable using another veg/fruit name to exclaim.


All in all, I enjoyed this book. (I read this along with my daughters, and it received a 5 star and a 4 star from them respectively. The younger one wasn’t too impressed with the vampire – sheesh!) It’s always great when a book keeps the age of its target audience in mind and caters to that level. This novel delivers in terms of plot, characters, message, and illustrations, so it deserves a solid rec.

Much recommended to all middle-graders, whether they love their veggies or not, whether they hate vampires or not. This book will entertain and educate them on both the above points, and more.

I’m moving on to the sequel with greater expectations. Fingers crossed!

4.5 stars. (My rating, as well as the average of my daughters’ ratings. Rounding up coz I love veggies! )


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[Melanie (meltotheany) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my gosh, this world is so cozy and the art and coloring is just extra autumnal and perfect feeling right now. We love a witch with little magical vegetables, growing gardens but also growing within themselves too! We follow Garlic as she braves the woods, away from her family, to see if a vampire is truly living in the castle on the hill! And even with her anxieties, she knows she wants to protect her loved ones! This was really cute and sweet - and perfect for all ages!

tw/cw: anxiety depiction

thank you so much, destiny, for the recommendation ♡

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[bri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love gay vegetable people

[Rodrigo Unda · Rating 4 out of 5]

NOOOOOO, que bonita novela gráfica.

Me la terminé en 20 minutos y fue tiempo bien invertido. Imagínate ser alguien que no confía en si mismo y se critica cada que hace algo mal... (¿Indirecta?). La protagonista de esta historia es una ansiosa pequeña llamada "Ajo", que tendrá que vencer un peligro inminente... la llegada de un vampiro a su villa llena de vegetales.

Me encanta el mensaje que ofrece y lo bien que está presentado para que los más pequeños aprendan y disfruten, sin olvidarse de reír un poco. No me gustó tanto el final, pero porque mi lado macabro esperaba cosas más trágicas jajaja

LAS ILUSTRACIONES SON LAS MÁS BELLAAAAAAS 🫶

Es una novela para niños, pero a mis tiernos 24 años la disfruté mucho.

[Mara · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars - This was so cozy and lovely! I loved what it had to say about anxiety and the drawing style was just wonderful. Definitely will read the follow up

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

ADORABLE.

[Chad · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful, all-ages graphic novel about an anthropomorphic garlic bulb that tends a witch's garden along with all the other enchanted fruits and vegetables. They then sell the items in the farmer's market. When the vampire moves into the abandoned castle, she's elected to scare him away due to a vampire's garlic allergy. But what she finds when she visits the vampire doesn't meet her expectations. I love how Garlic has to overcome her anxieties. This book is super cute, perfect for children, with spot on art.

Received a review copy from Quill Tree Books and Edelweiss.

[Katie Colson · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️3.5

How freaking SWEET! The concept is whimsical and original. A perfect spin on a modern-ish day fairytale.

I'm not a 'cozy' reader. So, for me, this was really cute but not something I'll circle back to or think on in the future.
I DO highly recommend this to any and all ages. It's wholesome, pure, funny, and interesting with a gorgeous color palette and autumnal vibes. If you are a cozy girlie, please pick this up.

[suus⋆୨୧˚ · Rating 3 out of 5]

so cute and cozy !!

[La Crosse County Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Utterly charming and so stinking cute, I scream every time I see the cover! The illustrations in Garlic and the Vampire are positively delightful! I mean, it's a garlic bulb in a jumper! All the veggie and fruit folk are undeniably cute and clever and full of character.

Garlic is a shy veggie person who feels things perhaps a bit more than her fellow veggie folk. As such, she likes alone time, naps, and quiet conversations. Not everyone understands her, especially a cranky celery stalk.

So when a vampire moves into the castle on the hill, Celery declares Garlic as the natural person to address the vampire and save them all. Garlic is terrified. With the support of good friends, the integrity to do what's right, and honest conversations, Garlic may surprise them all, indeed.

~Jess, Youth Services

Find this book and other titles within our catalog.

[Olivia (Stories For Coffee) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sweetest, cozy read. So tender and adorable

[Raquel Estebaran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una preciosa novela gráfica, un cuento hecho cómic ideal para niños.

Una historia con enseñanzas muy positivas y unos dibujos expresivos y adorables.

[Tina Haigler · Rating 4 out of 5]

How cute was that?! I wasn't sure what to expect honestly, but that was precious. It's a lovely heartfelt story--even if some of it is predictable--that's sure to leave you with a warm fuzzy feeling, especially if you relate as much to the main character as I do. The art is wonderfully done, in a style that I personally found adorable, while the rich and calming muted colors really made each panel come alive. I truly found myself wishing I could visit their quaint little corner of the world and help out in their garden. As soon as I put it down, I immediately wanted to read more about the sweet albeit overly anxious Garlic; luckily I already have the second volume on hand. I highly recommend this for ages 6 to 12, and to anyone who wants a light easy read with some feel-good vibes.

[Danny_reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a wholesome and sweet little graphic novel!

This was so lovely - I loved the art style and all the characters were so distinct and expressive. I especially loved the glimpse we got of Garlic and Carrot's wholesome friendship. The whole cottagecore, cozy vibe also fit the story and art style so well.

This took me no time at all to read and it was so stinking cute. If you're looking for a quick, wholesome palate cleanser, this is the graphic novel for you!

[April (Aprilius Maximus) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well that’s the most wholesome fucking thing I’ve ever read

[Maeghan 🦋 · Rating 4 out of 5]

« World domination? Why would anyone ever think that’d be a good idea? »

[Stay Fetters · Rating 4 out of 5]

"World domination? Why would anyone ever think that’d be a good idea?"

The book is exactly like the cover. It's so cute and I love it. A village of vegetables, a blood-thirsty vampire who just moved to the village, and an anxious little Garlic who just wants to sleep in late and tend to her garden. Tell me that's not the cutest thing ever!

Garlic is the sweetest and most adorable little character. Yes, she has her fears but she doesn't let that stop her from putting on a brave face. Garlic might be small but she packs a powerful punch behind her strong message. She is my new hero!

Garlic and the Vampire was amazing with fantastic and colorful illustrations. You'll instantly fall in love with this mighty little garlic as she faces her fears, puts her anxiety aside, and puts on her big girl pants to help save her friends. This little garlic has a lot of heart and it makes the story that much more amazing. Everyone should read this tale!

Garlic can sit with us but Celery can't. He doesn't even go to this school!

[HorrorBabe911 · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations were sooo cute and stunning 🤩 but I felt the story was flat. Reads more for like middle grade. The vampire wasn’t scary 😅. Short quick graphic novel. Would recommend

[Harun Ahmed · Rating 4 out of 5]

ছবিগুলো বর্ণিল ও চোখ জুড়ানো। আর গল্পটা অদ্ভুত সুন্দর। নাম দেখে যা মনে হয় তার কিছুই ঘটে না গল্পে। বরঞ্চ কাহিনি এমনভাবে মোচড় নেয় যে আপনি ভাববেন, "আরে! এমনটাই তো হওয়া উচিত ছিলো।" এ ধরনের গল্প ছোটদের বেশি বেশি পড়া দরকার।

[La loca de los libros · Rating 4 out of 5]

Si es por las niñas le pongo las cinco estrellas pero no seré tan generosa 😂😂

Pequeña novela gráfica muy recomendable para leer con los más pequeños de la casa. Una historia muy bonita, sobre la amistad y que rompe con los estereotipos.
A ellas les ha encantado, a mi lógicamente se me queda demasiado infantil y mi alma oscura demanda cositas más turbias jajaja, pero me ha encantado ver sus caras mientras les leía esta historia y ver que poco a poco voy plantando la semilla del amor por la lectura en ellas ❤

Les animo a que lo lean y me cuenten qué tal la experiencia 😉

¡Muchas gracias Maika por descubrírmelo! 💖📚

📚 https://www.facebook.com/LaLocadelosL... 📚

[Mir · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are these sentient anthropomorphic vegetable that grow and sell other, normal vegetables.
The reader eventually learns that they were made conscious as servants by a witch, so okay, although I still think I would feel a little weird as a carrot selling other carrots to humans for dinner, but whatever, that's not the main point.

The point is that there's maybe a vampire just moved into the nearby castle (everyone jumps to this conclusion from the first sight of a trail of chimney smoke; I was kind of surprised that they turn out to be correct, because I mean what are the odds?)

The other veggies decide Garlic should confront the vampire because she'll be the safest. Garlic is easily upset and also falls down a lot. Luckily it turns out fine, no one is hurt, the moral is don't judge people because everyone is valuable, don't jump to negative conclusions, don't be down on yourself for sucking at tasks others seem to find easy, yadda yadda, I think I'll go reread Bunnicula now, it was more suspenseful.

My heart is like an artichoke, covered in tough pointy layers. It's not that it was too cute, thought, it was that it was too obvious in its messaging. That seems to be kind of a thing nowadays? That I just don't appreciate because I grew up in the stone age when writing had allusions and allegory and stuff.

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mais c'était beaucoup trop mignon 😭

[Scott Rhee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bree Paulsen's graphic novel "Garlic and the Vampire" boasts one of the most adorable little heroines ever.

Garlic is a little bulb of garlic (of course) who lives on a farm with friends Carrot, Celery, Potato, Onion, and Pumpkin. The farm belongs to a friendly witch named Agnes who created them to be farm helpers, but they've all grown up to be kind of surrogate children.

One day, the nearby abandoned castle appears to have smoke arising from its chimney. The witch believes it is a vampire, as the castle belonged to a vampire many years ago.

The vegetable children are terrified, and they feel that something needs to be done. They nominate Garlic as the one to investigate, as she is the only one who has natural protection against vampires. (She is, after all, garlic.)

Against her better judgment, and terrified beyond belief, Garlic bravely sets out... and finds a pleasant surprise.

While this book is targeted probably more toward elementary age/tweens, I'm a 52-year-old and I loved it. My daughter, 11, (who is at the age where admitting to liking anything dad likes is tantamount to heresy) also thought it was adorable. I also really love garlic, so there's that...

[⊹ Amy ⊹ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This graphic novel had me from the dedication page:

“For all the anxious bulbs”

This is a super cute story of an anxious garlic who decides to stand up to a vampire in the hopes of protecting her friends and the village.

It is about anxiety, community and acceptance. The illustrations, the dialogue, the message of the story as well as the overall vibe make this a perfect cozy autumn read and one that can be re-read every year. 🍂🤎

[♡ Martina ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐

Una graphic novel cuper cozy e autunnale!
Le illustrazioni sono sicuramente il punto forte anche se ammetto che i personaggi mi hanno conquistata grazie alla loro dolcezza.
Sicuramente è perfetta per questo periodo e se cercate una lettura leggera.