By Emma Tippen
Recently, my friend got me interested in Over The Garden Wall, a cartoon network show about two brothers lost in the unknown. I have become completely obsessed, and have already rewatched it twice! With the autumn season in full bloom, I wanted to recommend some books that remind me of the show!
The Girl from the Other Side by Nagabe
This manga is filled with mystery, magic, and fantasy, just like OTGW! The two main characters, Shiva and Teacher, are from separate worlds. If Teacher ever touches Shiva, she will be eternally cursed, and yet their friendship endures. Throughout the book, Shiva is waiting for her aunt to take her home, much like how Greg and Wirt are on a journey to find their home.
The Witch Boy by Molly Knox Ostertag
Aster is a young boy growing up in a family full of magic. Men have the gift of shapeshifting and women become witches. Aster, however, prefers witchcraft over shapeshifting. When boys start to go missing, it’s up to Aster to find out who is kidnapping his cousins. The magical woods that Aster lives in remind me of the unknown. I imagine the family’s celebrations are like that of the ones in Potsfield from Episode 2: Hard Times at the Huskin’ Bee. The Witch Boy has the perfect OTGW vibes!
Fruiting Bodies by Ashley Robin Franklin
The beautiful Pacific Northwest is the perfect place for new beginnings. Frances is on her way to Washington to live with her partner, alongside her brother and his buddy. Everything is going her way, until her brother gets lost and they are forced to camp in the woods. They meet a beautiful stranger in these woods who reminds me of Lorna from Episode 7: The Ringing of the Bell. This is the perfect quick book for readers who love mystery and horror!
Safer Places by Kit Anderson
When reading Safer Places, all I can do is imagine Wirt’s poetry. This collection of magical short stories follows a theme of meditation, fantasy, and memory. The boy featured in the first short story in this collection, The Basement, reminds me of Greg. His curiosity, determination, and wonder all show through as he discovers the secret of the basement. One of the short stories has multiple parts throughout the book in which a magical gnome travels through the woods. This gnome reminds me of the woodsman, just more magical!