In this second collection, Hillburn returns to the story of adventurous Lilliputian Kara and the complications that arise from her friendship with a human.
Inspired by tales of small folk, such as The Borrowers and Gulliver’s Travels, Hillburn’s comic-book adventure follows young Kara, a precocious Lilliputian girl who lives with her parents in a dollhouse at the back of a vacant property. This volume picks up after Kara ventures out to find a human family moving into the “Big House” near her home. Kara bonds with teen Naomi but must keep their friendship a secret from her own father, Rowan. Raised to distrust and fear humans, Rowan has resolved to abandon their home despite his family’s reluctance. When he sustains an injury, Kara’s mother, Meldina, must bear the brunt of the moving preparations while also attempting to convince her husband to stay. Kara sees little recourse but to spend as much time with Naomi as possible while she can. The Lilliputian girl finds herself torn between two worlds: the modest survivalism of her own people and the strange comforts and excesses that Naomi offers. The things Kara wants—to stay in her family home and keep her new friendship—seem impossibly out of reach. Hillburn renders Kara’s world in vibrant visuals with lovely use of watercolor and much attention given to the details of Lilliputian homes and lifestyles, and readers will find it delightful to explore. The cast is likable while having realistic flaws, and the author explores genuinely intriguing conflicts as she raises the stakes of Kara and Naomi’s friendship. The girls both struggle with loneliness and isolation, and the narrative doesn’t shy away from the power imbalance caused by their size difference. The pacing can sometimes feel awkward or static, especially when conveying a lot of emotion, but Hillburn’s art throughout is adorable and vivacious. The book also offers a detailed breakdown of her artistic process, from scripting to thumbnailing, painting, and digitally correcting finished pages. It provides a fun window into the book’s creation and will encourage aspiring cartoonists. Overall, this work is sure to enchant young readers.
A pleasing new installment to a charming series.