Review by Frank Plowright

Since 2018 Kayla Miller has been a prolific creator of all-ages graphic novels in a shared world, and Click began the franchise via the focus on Olive, seen on the cover. It also introduces the classmates who’ll accompany her into future books.

Miller takes a leisurely approach to storytelling, introducing Olive and her day to day life at length before reaching her growing problem. A school variety show has been announced and all her friends immediately have ideas as to what they want to do, but none of them involve Olive. She’s upset, but doesn’t feel she can ask to join any of their groups, nor does she feel any of her mother’s suggestions are helpful. Thankfully there’s her cool Aunt Molly on hand.

Click is definitely from the school of offering advice to young readers in story form. It’s pointed out that Olive’s feeling of alienation isn’t her friends deserting her, and that a variety show features solo acts alongside groups. The advice isn’t nuanced, but neither is it talking down to young readers, just pointing them in the right direction.

Artistically Miller ensures there’s always something to look at in simply drawn and brightly coloured panels, even when it’s pages just showing Olive’s bedtime routine. Olive’s dreams allow for the art to become a little wilder, and they eventually provide the solution to her problem.

The supporting cast will have their turn in the spotlight in subsequent books, so they’re little more than homes for dialogue as Olive works her way through her feelings. She’ll take a strong role in the following Camp, but Miller’s good at ensuring we come to know the characters who matter, so her books can be read in any order.

Young readers will find themselves feeling for Olive and hoping she comes good, and that’s served up with a side dish of promoting individuality.