Back in the world of Tea Dragons, and everything is as calm, comforting, charming, lush, lovely and magical as ever.
Kay O'Neill writes and draws enchantment. They have mastered colourful, diverse, egalitarian, and peaceful fantasy graphic novels for everyone. For a new, progressive generation.
In 'The Tea Dragon Festival', we have:
• A young POC, nonbinary protagonist - Rinn the herbalist and cook.
• A proud clan dragon who can change into a more human form, who is trying to find himself and make up for lost time - Aedhan, who kind of reminds me of Inuyasha.
• A deep, platonic friendship between Rinn and Aedhan.
• A deaf, POC side character - Lesa, also a cook. This book is big on sign language awareness and resources.
• A grandmother and a little sister. Female-led communities matter.
• The return of Erik and Hesekiel! They are younger here, and Erik is Rinn's travelling, cocky uncle with a sword. I love picturing Hesekiel as having an experienced wise man's voice with a twinkle in his eye.
• Humans and anthropomorphic people coexisting in peace. They are a thriving, wonderful community with a culture and heritage to be proud of, who love and care for each other. Once again, there are no antagonists.
• A message about home and belonging, where people love you and let you do what you love.
• A woman wearing a hijab in the background.
• Another background character who looks like Link from 'The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild'.
• Creative magical creature designs in honour of Studio Ghibli. I want plushies of them!
• Speaking of, there is a lone train which comes once a week to this spiritual world full of dragons.
• Oh and of course, Tea Dragons (Dracona Domestica)! Wild, pesky, but lovable and adorable Tea Dragons!
There is more - oh so much more - but I don't wish to spoil the magic.
Except for one more thing which deserves to be spotlighted from the heavens: Aedhan's dragon race (Dracona Major) can shift from one sex to another whenever they want, if they work at it. Any dragon can be genderfluid. Rinn says how lovely that is.
You can practically smell and taste all the vibrant nature on every page in 'The Tea Dragon Festival', and hear the sweet music, and the humming and singing in the wind. It transcends graphic novel form: it is a gentle breeze blooming with all the colours and hues of the rainbow and other prisms. A relaxing time of having a cup of tea with the people you love and connect with.
Another triumph. How do you do it, Kay O'Neill?
Final Score: 5/5
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