- Graphic Novels
- Ages 5–8
- Fantasy
Hilda and Twig: Wake the Ice Man
Book 2 of 2 in Hilda and TwigView the full series
Part of the Hilda universeOpen the collection
A snowy, creature-filled Hilda and Twig adventure where Twig accidentally wakes the Ice Man and has to help save the day. A strong follow-up for children ready for slightly bigger comic peril.
- Best for5–8
- FormatGraphic
- Length56 pp
- Read aloud~26 min
The vibe
What it’s like.
Style
- Conversational
- Comedic
Tone
- Warm
- Funny
- Exciting
- Whimsical
- Adventurous
Themes
Experience meters
What’s it about?
The story.
Hilda and her giant friend Burku are enjoying the wilderness, but Twig's accidental awakening of the Ice Man sends more than a gentle snow flurry towards them. The story keeps the accessible spin-off format of Hide from the Rain while giving Twig a clearer responsibility arc: he has made the problem, and now he needs to help fix it. Luke Pearson's world remains visually charming, with fantasy creatures, wilderness humour and action that feels exciting without becoming too frightening. This is a good second Hilda and Twig record because it slightly raises the adventure stakes while staying appropriate for early graphic-novel readers. It works especially well for children who like magical weather, gentle monsters, animal companions and stories where a small character matters.
Fit check
Right for your child?
Where it lands by age
- 1
- 3
- 5
- 7
- 9
- 11
- 13
- Best fit · 5–8
- Read aloud · 4–8
- Independent · 5–8
Prose load
Light
Visual support
Very high
Reluctant-reader friendly
Very
Read-aloud quality
Workable
Works well for
- Reluctant readers
Nothing in the book is likely to concern most parents. Safe to recommend without preview.
Bedtime suitability
3 / 5 · Workable
Sensitive-child
3 / 5 · Mostly fine
Graphic intensity
1 / 5 · None
Best for
- Early graphic novel
- Hilda fans
- Snow magic
- Gentle peril
- Animal companion
Avoid if
- Wants core hilda first
- Very sensitive to monsters
- Prefers realistic stories
Particularly good for children who are…
- Reluctant reader
- Struggling with reading
- Anxiety and worry
In the classroom
How it works in school.
Luke Pearson's enchanting Hilda adventures — a beautifully drawn reluctant-reader favourite and classroom-library staple.
A book children love that happens to support school — never a stand-in for the texts a class is taught with. Reviewed for the classroom · June 2026.
Why it lands
Why they love it.
Why kids love it
The specific kick is Twig accidentally waking something he shouldn't — the Ice Man rises, the snow comes down, and a small deerfox who caused the problem has to help fix it. A five-year-old reading it gets a tiny consequences-of-actions arc inside a gorgeous winter setting.
- Animal companions
- Adventure and freedom
- Secret world
- Making a difference
Why parents love it
The second Hilda and Twig picture book — Twig accidentally wakes the Ice Man, and a small character has to take responsibility for a big problem. Quietly does the consequences-of-actions work without lecture. Gorgeously made; pairs naturally with the first one as a winter pair.
- Beautiful illustrations
- Quick to read
- Shared humour
In the series
Hilda and Twig.
2 books · open the series →
About the author & illustrator
Luke Pearson.
If you liked this
Three ways out of this book.
If you liked this, try…
Lateral matches. Same shelf, different texture.
Come into this from…
Easier or preparing reads — perfect lead-ins.
Where to go next…
Escalation reads — a step up in scale, silliness, or stakes.
Buy or borrow
Pick up a copy.
- Bookshop.org ↗
- Waterstones ↗
- Amazon UK ↗
- Hive ↗
When you buy through the links above, we may earn a small commission — it never costs you more, and it never changes the books we choose. How we’re funded →