Review by Frank Plowright

The first thought is that a graphic novel featuring twigs aimed at young children is a bizarre idea, and a non-starter. On the other hand young children play about with sticks and twigs all the time, so perhaps Andrew McDonald and Ben Wood know what they’re doing. After all, they’ve already had phenomenal success with their Real Pigeons line of illustrated books for kids.

Noodle, Red and Ziggy are all twigs, differently designed, and Stump, is, well, a Stump, but he bounces around just as capably as the other twigs. Actually, perhaps not as well as the bonkers Red, who sets the first of four stories in motion, so to speak, by sneaking up on his friends and giving them a fright. Only he sees it as a surprise, and is himself surprised when they react angrily, having mucked up their activities.

McDonald writes using the narrative voice of an observer to what the twigs are doing, which is usually something silly like organising a snail farm or wondering about a volcano that turns out to be ant hill. In the manner of an indulgent TV voiceover, the narrator asks questions and occasionally explains to the readers while the twigs get about their business.

The twigs have a child like attitude to life, always exploring and coming up with some activity, and Wood draws them simply, with big bulging eyes and motion lines to indicate they’re moving. It’s cheery, friendly and entirely without danger, providing a reduced down and comforting version of the world around young children.

It’s imaginative, and will surely encourage children to create their own adventures with twigs. Twig Friends Stick Together is due to follow in 2025.