Review by Ian Keogh

Is Sunny and Stormy an illustrated children’s book or is it a graphic novel? It could be classified as either, but the classification isn’t as important as the quality, and Sunny and Stormy is good, very good.

Sarah Holliday charms from the start (sample art) by introducing the brightly coloured world occupied by competing magical sisters Stormy and Sunny, each bringing different weather to Rainbow Village and the countryside below. Sunny is loved by the villagers, who decorate their homes with sun symbols, but Stormy isn’t recognised for the necessary force of nature she is. Showing her full capabilities only makes people fearful.

The art is beautiful, but Holliday reminds mindful of the book being aimed at young children, so even at her strongest Stormy retains a sympathetic personality, drawn enjoying herself as she brings rainclouds and lightning bolts. An attractive brightness is present throughout, and young readers will be able to figure out plot and mood from the illustrations alone.

For adults Holliday will be following a predictable path, yet children will marvel at the idea that both Sunny and Stormy are needed for a balanced existence, and rejoice at their coming together again.

So is Sunny and Stormy a graphic novel? Well, the lack of world balloons and conventional panels with the text being in typeset blocks would indicate not. However, those blocks being imposed on the art rather than separate from it and the eye being led from page to page in a continuous passage is definitely closer to comics. Ultimately happy young readers aren’t going to worry about form when they’re so thoroughly entertained.