Pia in the Forest

4.3

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Author(s)

David Bruggink

Publisher

Holiday House

Genre(s)

Age Range

Release Date

July 21, 2026

ISBN

978-0823461608

Buy This Book

Join Pia as she explores a forest, plays pranks on her dad, and even makes a surprise friend in this young graphic novel for fans of Bluey and Calvin and Hobbes.

There are sounds that only exist deep in the woods: the low rumbling inside fallen trees; the tiny tck-tck-tck of a bustling ant colony; the woosh of bird wings in the wind. And Pia and her Dad are determined to record them all!

But in her rush to explore, Pia quickly gets lost. With the help of a new friend Quinn, Pia resolves to find her way back to dad using the sounds of the forest . . . after she and Quinn build fairy houses and play some games, of course.

With warmth and humor, David Bruggink has created a lovably impish character with Pia and a forest world filled with waterfalls and creatures. A color palette of soft greens and blues with simple paneling makes this a cozy read for any afternoon. Back matter includes more information on field recording, how to build fairy houses, and more.

Editor review

1 review

Humorous Graphic Novel

March 28, 2026 (Updated: July 01, 2026)

Overall rating

4.3

Plot

4.0

Characters

4.0

Writing Style

4.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

5.0

Pia in the Forest is a charming new graphic novel that follows an energetic pup named Pia and her dad on an adventure through the woods. Pia convinces her dad to head into the forest to scavenge for the perfect natural materials—like pinecones and berries to help her create a masterpiece. While Pia hunts for art supplies, her dad gets to indulge in his own passion: field recording. Like any good story, there is always something that goes a bit askew, and Pia has quite the adventure.

What I Liked: Geared toward the 5–8 age range, the balance of illustrations and text is spot-on. It provides enough challenge for a developing reader without being overwhelming. I loved the introduction of field recording! It’s a fascinating hobby that many readers (including myself) may not have encountered before, making the story both fun and informative. Although I reviewed an ARC without full color throughout, the sample pages showed a soft palette of greens and blues that perfectly capture the magical atmosphere of the forest.

Perfect for nature lovers, Pia in the Forest is a charming graphic novel that captures the magic of exploring the great outdoors.