Little sisters can't save the day—or can they? When the nefarious Queen Cordelia takes over Caketown Castle in the Doughnut Kingdom, a hero is needed. Cucumber, a white rabbit with an orange pageboy and a penchant for learning, is chosen, however, he'd rather go to school as planned; indeed, his spunky little sister, Almond, seems better suited for the job. Unfortunately, the Dream Oracle rejects her: "Little sisters aren't legendary heroes." Despite parents and oracles, the siblings set out to prove that a hero need not be male. Over the course of their quest in the pastry-themed kingdom, the bunnies meet a silly assortment of similarly food-inspired characters, including a toothless gummy bear and three knights named Sir Bacon, Dame Lettuce, and Sir Tomato. Originally a webcomic created entirely in Photoshop, D.G.'s candy-colored charmer is imbued with a delightfully snarky humor, helping to offset the profusion of cuteness. Gender roles are explored, affirming the notion of staying true to oneself rather than capitulating to the expectations of others. The worldbuilding is cleverly conveyed in bright and dynamic illustrations. Although populated almost entirely by bunnies, they are diversely hued, ranging from light ivory tones to deep, warm browns. Playful aftermatter includes a Q-and-A with the characters, character bios, and a map. An auspicious series opener. (Graphic fantasy. 7-12)

In this first volume in the Cucumber Quest series (originally published as a webcomic), Cucumber the rabbit-s plans to attend Puffington-s Academy for the Magical Gifted (and/or Incredibly Wealthy) are put on hold when the evil Queen Cordelia makes a play for world domination, forcing Cucumber to embark on a heroic quest instead. Cucumber-s younger sister, Almond, is much better suited to questing, but she is constantly underestimated by adults because of her age and gender (comments like -Little sisters aren-t legendary heroes- pop up often). Almond isn-t content to sit at home, of course, so she and Cucumber take on Queen Cordelia, facing off against foes like Sir Tomato, Dame Lettuce, and Sir Bacon as a team. Though Cucumber is ostensibly the central character, Almond steals the show. Comics artist D.G.-s cartooning aesthetic is soft, creamy, and colorful, with an inherent bubbliness that pairs well with the silliness of the story; the stakes don-t feel especially high. Overall, this is a light, charmingly illustrated adventure that successfully introduces Cucumber, Almond, and a humorous supporting cast while setting up future tales. Ages 8-12. (Oct.)