ParaNorthern and The Chaos Bunny A-hop-calypse
Written by Stephanie Cook & Art by Mari Costa
HMH Books, 2021
240 pages
Middle-Grade
Abby helps out her mom who runs the Witch’s Brew coffee shop in the town of North Haven. One day her little sister Ella runs into some trouble with a couple speed-demon bullies in the back alley and Abby accidentally… opens a dimensional gateway behind the dumpster.
The author builds a uniquely diverse world filled with different types of characters, from mummies and witches to were-creatures and pumpkin-heads. Abby’s Dad lives with the “reclusive covens” rather than with united supernaturals in the havens. The protagonists never face any truly violent threats, just the results of Abby’s own act that endangers the world as chaos bunnies start pouring through the gate!
Abby knows it’s her responsibility to close the illegal portal, but she is hesitant to get help fearing she may get in trouble. But can she do it herself? She gets total support from her friends.There is Silas, the pumpkin head whose nemesis is the pumpkin spice latte the cafe serves, Gita the wolf girl, Hannah the ghost, (who isn’t undead, but an inter-dimensional immigrant.) Even Ella pitches in to assist.
The author takes some creative license with Celtic mythology when Abby falls into an unexpected trance and is carried to the realm of a powerful witch named Morrigan, who she later discovers is one of her ancestors. Morrigan’s strong blood flows in Abby, if only she can learn to tap into it before the chaos bunnies destroy the town!
But soon Morrigan turns on Abby. Does she really want to destroy her, or is it just tough love to get those powers to come out? We aren’t really sure, and we may be seeing more of the dark mentor in the future.
The experience helps Abby learn that it’s important, even necessary to be creative and take the reins. If you don’t know the proper spell or incantation, make your own. Give your power the room it needs to grow.
A little romance brews at the end between two characters, though it seems there may be heartbreak ahead for barista Kevin. The story wraps with a town cleanup.
Everyone is supportive and positive, and no one gets eaten by the killer rabbits (darn it). This story is perfect for younger kids who need an engaging story to induce calm and confidence. It’s a safe magical place for a distraction when anxiety looms in real life.
