- Graphic Novels
- Ages 7–11
- Fantasy
Brume: The Dragon Awakens
Book 1 in BrumeView the full series
A feisty wannabe witch gets hold of a secret spellbook and promptly buries her whole village in fog, just as a fire-breathing dragon wakes nearby. A charming, funny opener to a warmly illustrated fantasy series.
- Best for7–11
- FormatGraphic
- Length64 pp
- Read aloud~30 min
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The vibe
What it’s like.
Style
- Conversational
- Comedic
Tone
- Funny
- Whimsical
- Adventurous
- Warm
Themes
Experience meters
What’s it about?
The story.
Brume is a spirited girl who dreams of being a real witch, if only her spells would behave. When her father slips her a mysterious spellbook, she grabs her wand and cauldron and gives it a go, and manages only to smother the entire village in thick fog. But is that fog really Brume's clumsy first spell, or is it smoke drifting from a fire-breathing dragon that has just woken from its slumber? And where has Naïa, the great witch who has always protected the village, disappeared to? With her spellbook, an eager neighbour boy called Hugo and a captured pig she cheerfully renames Bacon Bit at her side, Brume sets off to learn magic the hard way, one hilarious misfire at a time. Translated from the French and gorgeously painted by Carine Hinder, this first Brume volume is a cinematic, good-hearted adventure for young readers who love Hilda and Sorceline.
Fit check
Right for your child?
Where it lands by age
A graphic novel best for readers of 7-11 and a fun shared read from about 6. The pictures carry much of the story, so it suits newer or reluctant readers, and the low peril and gentle humour make it comfortable for most children.
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- Best fit · 7–11
- Read aloud · 6–9
- Independent · 7–11
Prose load
Light
Visual support
Very high
Reluctant-reader friendly
Very
Read-aloud quality
Workable
Works well for
- Gift-buying
- Reluctant readers
Nothing in the book is likely to concern most parents. Safe to recommend without preview.
Bedtime suitability
3 / 5 · Workable
Sensitive-child
4 / 5 · Good fit
Graphic intensity
1 / 5 · None
Best for
- Graphic novel fans
- Witch stories
- Magic lovers
- Funny fantasy
Avoid if
- Wants text only
- Wants realistic stories
Particularly good for children who are…
- Reluctant reader
Why it lands
Why they love it.
Why kids love it
Brume is gloriously bad at magic at first, so every spell going wrong is funny, and the fog-versus-dragon mystery pulls you straight in. The painted pictures are gorgeous, and her sidekicks, an eager boy and a renamed pig, make the adventure feel like the best kind of chaos.
- Magic powers
- Going on a quest
- Adventure and freedom
- Animal companions
Why parents love it
Carine Hinder's lush artwork makes this a beautiful book to own and share, and the gentle humour keeps the dragon adventure warm rather than scary. The generous pictures and quick pace make it an easy, confidence-building read for children stepping into graphic novels.
- Beautiful illustrations
- Indie gem discovery
In the series
Brume.
3 books · open the series →
About the creators
About the creators.
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