Early Reader Review: Welcome to the Forest: The Harvest Party by Katie Risor

Source: From Edelweiss and the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review. 

Welcome to the Forest: The Harvest Party by Katie Risor  
Series: Welcome to the Forest
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
Publication Date:  August 5, 2025

 

Format: Ebook


Rating:


Synopsis: 

A group of quirky forest creatures embark on heartwarming adventures in this graphic novel series opener featuring original gouache art. Perfect for beginning readers and graphic novel fans, especially those who love the Studio Ghibli films and Tove Jansson's Moomin. Includes nonfiction information at the back of the book​ about the autumnal season.

Deep in the heart of the Forest lives a handful of monsters. The Forest is home to many creatures, big and small, like:

boisterous Mossman, who is much kinder than he looks;

cautious but cheerful Wallace; 

carefree, kind Grumpkin;

and a sweet, mysterious entity named Shadow. 

The creatures prove that every day is an adventure as new discoveries draw them closer together.

In this book, readers will get a glimpse at the woodland creatures' lives and discover three bite-sized stories, perfect for the autumnal harvest season. In Welcome to the Forest: The Harvest Party, Mossman and Wallace decorate pumpkins, Grumpkin meets a new friend, and the creatures celebrate fall with a lively Harvest Party.

Review: 

This was such a cute and cozy graphic novel about a group of forest friends: Mossman, Wallace, Grumpkin, and Shadow who are planning a harvest party. Each short story within the graphic novel focuses on themes of friendship, with the tales building toward the big celebration. The bite-sized chapters make it easy for younger readers to take breaks if needed, which I felt was a thoughtful touch.

One feature I really appreciated was the use of a dyslexia-friendly font. It was easy to read and makes the book more accessible to a wider audience. The illustrations were absolutely lovely—full of rich, warm color and charming fall vibes that perfectly captured the spirit of the season.

The storytelling is well-balanced between the visuals and the text, and I especially liked that it wasn’t overly text-heavy, which works well for a graphic novel format. This is a heartwarming and visually engaging read that both kids and adults will enjoy—and there’s a good chance every reader will see a bit of themselves in at least one of these delightful characters. 

Overall, I think this will be a great fall/ autumn read for all ages.