A Little Snow Fairy Sugar, Vol. 1

Saga is a young girl who can safely be referred to as a bit of a control freak. Fastidious, hyperpunctual and always in charge, she even decides what kind of waffles her friends will eat. But after one fateful meeting with Sugar, an apprentice "snow fairy" that only she can see, Saga's orderly existence comes crashing down around her ears. Sugar is an adorable bundle of trouble in the classic "lovable scamp" mold, and her well-intentioned mischief spells constant disaster for her new human friend, even as it helps Saga realize that there's real value in stopping to smell the roses. As Sugar puts it, " 'Unexpected' sure is great, isn't it?" The book features a familiar cast of supporting characters—the stuck-up archnemesis, the loving grandmother, the geek boy who's secretly kind of cool—and the usual big-eyes-and-rosy-cheeks animation associated with the cute-and-perky moo style. This familiar formula, along with a dash of other cuddly, bumbling apprentice fairies (with names like Salt, Pepper, Turmeric, etc.) should prove an appealing dish for girls who don't care for the violence of Pokémon and yearn for more substance than Hello Kitty can provide. (Aug.)