The Big Tournament

“The combination of Magda’s effort to shine as a chef and the artistry of the illustrations that depict her story will appeal to readers and leave them looking forward to further books in a series that focuses on many relevant, contemporary issues. Reviewer Rating: 4”—Children’s Literature

“Along with capturing the drama, suspense, and stylized commentary of real cooking shows, this interstellar culinary romp showcases one tempting dish after another, capped by three recipes at the end… A delicious kickoff that combines haute cuisine with sky-high stakes.“—Kirkus Reviews

“Wouters is an ingenious storyteller, inserting mysteriously provocative hints throughout… In explosive full-color images, Van Gheluwe creates worlds bursting with imaginative flora and fauna… Author and artist embolden tenacious Magda, a vegan force of nature poised to save the whole galaxy.“—Shelf Awareness

“This Belgian import boasts wildly imaginative artwork, looking something like Spirited Away via Tintin: lush colors and crisp linework reveal inventive flora and fauna on every planet and architecture teeming with whimsy.“—Booklist

“Gheluwe pairs imaginative depictions of alien ingredients and futuristic kitchen tools with expressive character designs; dynamic compositions heighten both the tension of time-bound cooking challenges and the joy of artistic expression, while color shifts underscore the story’s emotional beats. With its humor, inventive premise, and eco-conscious messaging, this graphic novel celebrates resilience and creativity.“—Publishers Weekly

“A whimsical graphic novel in which a girl who hopes to be a great chef helps others in the process of pursuing her dreams.“—Foreword Reviews

“A colorful and engaging graphic novel about a young girl who uncovers a nefarious plot and finds the courage to fight.“—School Library Journal

Nicolas Wouters is an illustrator, comic book scriptwriter, teacher, and director of animated films. He lives in Brussels, Belgium, where he teaches at the university. Since 2020, he holds a doctoral thesis in art and art sciences. He has published Feet in Concrete (2013), Totem (2013), and Les égarés de Déjima (2018).

Mathilde Van Gheluwe was born in Belgium. She studied illustration at the Institut Saint-Luc in Brussels, then at Luca School of Arts in Ghent. After graduating, she published independent comics within the Flemish collective Tieten met Haar. Her first graphic novel Pendant que le Loup n’y est pas, written and illustrated alongside Valentine Gallardo, was published by Atrabile in 2016. Her second comic, the highly acclaimed Funky Town, was published in English by Peow Studio.

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