- Graphic Novels
- Ages 7–10
- Fantasy
Hupo and the Wonder Thief
Book 1 of 2 in HupoView the full series
A whimsical debut graphic novel about a big-hearted, big-personality creature who dreams of adventure and finally gets one when a zombifying mist creeps over his town. Warm, funny and gorgeously drawn, it celebrates being unapologetically yourself.
- Best for7–10
- FormatGraphic
- Length64 pp
- Read aloud~30 min
The vibe
What it’s like.
Style
- Conversational
Tone
- Whimsical
- Warm
- Adventurous
- Exciting
Themes
Experience meters
What’s it about?
The story.
In the strange land of Yip, in the bustling town of Yorger, lives Hupo, a small creature with an enormous personality and an even bigger appetite for adventure. Hupo and his friend the Aletha love to wander the streets, chatting to shopkeepers and endlessly retelling the exploits of their hero, the Great Humdingo, much to everyone else's exasperation. But when a mysterious, zombifying mist begins to creep into town and the Aletha is snatched away by a sinister force in the mountains, Hupo finally gets the grand adventure he always wanted, and quickly learns that being heroic is far harder in real life than in the pages of a book. To save his town from the joy-stealing Wallower, Hupo must summon every scrap of courage, cleverness and imagination he has. Billy Partridge's magical debut is a beautifully drawn tale of adventure, friendship and the courage to be yourself, even when your personality is a very big one.
Fit check
Right for your child?
Where it lands by age
Aimed at 7-10s reading independently, and a lovely shared read from around 6. The comic format and short length make it especially friendly for reluctant readers, while the imaginative world rewards children who love adventure.
- 1
- 3
- 5
- 7
- 9
- 11
- 13
- Best fit · 7–10
- Read aloud · 6–9
- Independent · 7–10
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
- Whimsical fantasy
- Reluctant readers
- Big personalities
- Graphic novel fans
Avoid if
- Wants realistic stories
Why it lands
Why they love it.
Why kids love it
Hupo is loud, brave and impossible not to root for, and his rescue mission through a mist-covered town is packed with strange creatures and real danger. Kids see their own big feelings and big ideas celebrated rather than told to pipe down.
- Adventure and freedom
- Going on a quest
- The underdog winning
- Secret world
- Being understood finally
Why parents love it
Billy Partridge's whimsical artwork and warm story make this an easy win for children moving into graphic novels. It's exciting without being frightening, and its quiet message about accepting a child's big personality lands without ever preaching.
- Beautiful illustrations
- Indie gem discovery
In the series
Hupo.
2 books · open the series →
About the author & illustrator
Billy Partridge.
If you liked this
Three ways out of this book.
If you liked this, try…
Lateral matches. Same shelf, different texture.
Where to go next…
Escalation reads — a step up in scale, silliness, or stakes.
More like this…
Books that share themes and topics with this one.
