Lu and Ren’s Guide to Geozoology: A Graphic Novel

Perfect for fans of Studio Ghibli and The Tea Dragon Society, this beautiful graphic novel follows a girl who learns more about friendship and family as she journeys across the fantastical land of Lirrin to tend to its majestic animals. An SCBWI Golden Kite Honor title!

Lu dreams of being a great adventurer, just like her ah-ma, who is a world-renowned geozoologist. Ah-ma has traveled far and wide, researching unique animals like dreamy cloud-jellies, enormous sunfish, and playful mossgoats. There’s nothing Lu loves more than reading Ah-ma’s letters about her quests, even if she and her mom struggle to understand the Cylian language Ah-ma writes in.

But when Ah-ma’s letters suddenly stop, Lu becomes worried. So when a nearby town needs a geozoologist, Lu decides to go on the journey to find Ah-ma. She charts a course with the help of Ren, an old friend turned new travel buddy.

As they follow in Ah-ma’s footsteps, Lu begins to discover the complex relationships between geofauna—and between people. What stories has Ah-ma never told her? And what’s Ren hiding from her?

“A beautiful story of family and friendship set in a fantasy world. The two girls grapple with familial issues connected to expectations, language barriers, and loss. A charming story of relationships and fantastical discoveries.” - Kirkus Reviews

“Hsieh’s lineless, colorful illustration brings a sense of whimsy to this tale. It feels both familiar, with its strong ties to Chinese culture and language, and at the same time, ­magical and faraway, like a fairy-tale world. A sweet and fun romp through a magical countryside, steadied by a strong message of finding what truly makes one happy.” - School Library Journal

“Delightfully imaginative. Clever. This smart, grounded, and gentle fantasy is a quiet standout.” - Booklist (starred review)