Review by Sophia Thomson
Tundra Books, January 28th, 2025
96 pages, Hardcover, $24.99, 9781774885673
Graphic Novel Picture Book, ages 5-9
Children’s Graphic Novels, Children’s Books
To be seen is to be known, and thanks to Qin Leng, readers are invited to share in the joy of meeting the clever, kind-hearted, hilarious, and unique Lou.
Much like how a novel is divided into chapters, Fantastic Lou unfolds through a series of slice-of-life comics. These micro-stories, inspired by real-life moments from Lou and Leng’s lives, are wonderfully rendered on the page.
Rife with both comedy and sincerity, the book serves as a reminder of childhood — what it means to be a kid and how it feels to experience life through that lens. With all the ups and downs, big feelings, emotional outbursts, and sweet innocence, Lou feels incredibly tangible. Fantastic Lou takes small moments and transforms them into lasting memories captured in ink and minimal color. From a snapshot of Lou’s creative dance moves to a little tantrum after failing to get his parents out of bed, and even his silly antics while on the toilet, Leng invites us into Lou’s world.
With minimal text, it’s through the illustrations — beautifully inked and digitally colored — that we truly come to understand the creative and spirited Lou. Because the text is sparse, when dialogue does appear, it carries even more weight. It’s there that Lou’s distinct voice, driven by his “kid logic,” shines through. Much like the children I know, I never could have predicted what Lou would say next, but each new line had me smiling.
The vignettes are borderless and flow freely, much like Lou himself. You can feel how he dances to the beat of his own drum, fearlessly and without limitation.
I was utterly charmed by Lou, and I know readers will be too. This book is perfect for a dual audience: just as parents will see their children in Lou, children will see themselves. This comic for young readers explores themes of self-expression, growing up, and family.
Sophia Thomson graduated with a BFA in Creative Writing from the University of British Columbia in 2023 and is currently pursuing her Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. She has a soft spot for stories about love, friendship, and family, which is probably why most of her YA and screenwriting projects end up featuring a mixture of the three.
YOUNG ADULTING 