5 stars
What an absolutely gorgeous book!
I love the Hilda graphic novels, the Netflix adaptation, and the tie-in novels, so when I saw there was a Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them-style book of creatures, I was all in.
This book did not disappoint. The illustrations are phenomenal. I really enjoyed the aesthetic. My initial concern was that it would just be screenshots from the show, but instead there is a great mix of images from the show, gorgeous original artwork, and even some fun sketches from Hilda herself (definitely don’t go writing in library books, but let’s be real, no one can tell Hilda what to do).
The book is organized into sections that include Towering Terrors, Secretive Souls, Almost Human, Under the Water, Up in the Air, and Below the Ground (with a bonus section of Hilda’s “Tips for Spotting and Protecting Animals and Spirits”).
Whenever a book is put into the hands of someone who is not the original creator, things can get a little hairy. However Emily Hibbs, Jason Chan P.L., and Sapo Lendário all did a spectacular job capturing the essence of Hilda and her world. It starts out introducing the giants in a similar fashion as Luke Pearson did in the original graphic novel and expands from there.
The only tip I would give is that I’d suggest having watched both seasons of the show before jumping into this book. There are various references to Hilda’s adventures. While it’s easy to follow along, it’s more meaningful if the reader gets the references (also that way you avoid minor spoilers for the show).
A great book filled beautiful artwork, interesting information, and lots to love for Hilda fans. Looking forward to getting ahold of Hilda’s Sparrow Scout Badge Guide for a different approach to the Hilda universe.