★ “The intricate flowerings and soulfully etched forest backgrounds of the art make the black-and-white pages sing as though they were drawn in a rainbow of colors…Nytra’s serene ending manages to be worthy of its glorious beginning…A beguiling experience that deserves multiple immersions.” — Publishers Weekly, starred review ​​ ★ “Winsor McKay was a comics pioneer whose early experimentation with the form nearly predated the form itself. McKay’s spirit, along with his dream-inspired imagery, lives on through Nytra, whose remarkable debut taps into the same unearthly environment with a similarly enchanting effect…The extraordinarily delicate and fine-lined art incorporates touches of manga aesthetic so that, like the story itself, it merges timeless narrative elements to craft something wonderfully innovative. TOON took a chance on a brand-new talent to create the first of their ever-so-slightly more mature graphic novel line and it’s paid off with a smashing success.” —Booklist, starred review “Though black and white, the world is better realized than many full-color paintings. Dappled sunlight through trees and shadows on subway tiles are faithfully conveyed with nothing but masterly little black dashes. But Alan and Leah have to wake up, and Leah has to graduate from her own room away from her little brother. The story is a catalog of their time together, and perhaps of the books parents might have read themselves when they were younger. It could be a great way to introduce kids to the masterpieces of the past. Or you could just enjoy the book on its own merits. There are plenty of them.” — The New York Times When Leah and Alan awaken in an enchanted forest, they have only each other and their wits to guide them. In a world full of pet bees and giant rabbits, they befriend foppish lions and stone frogs. Learning to overcome danger, they find their way home— and their independence. ALSC Graphic Novels Reading List (2016) Connecticut State Nutmeg Book Award Nominee (2015) Harvey Award Nominee (2013) Booklist Top 10 Books for Youth, Graphic Novels (2013) The New York Public Library’s Children’s Book List of 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing (2012) School Library Journal’s Top Ten Graphic Novels (2012) A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection ★ “The intricate flowerings and soulfully etched forest backgrounds of the art make the black-and-white pages sing as though they were drawn in a rainbow of colors…Nytra’s serene ending manages to be worthy of its glorious beginning…A beguiling experience that deserves multiple immersions.” — Publishers Weekly, starred review ​​ ★ “Winsor McKay was a comics pioneer whose early experimentation with the form nearly predated the form itself. McKay’s spirit, along with his dream-inspired imagery, lives on through Nytra, whose remarkable debut taps into the same unearthly environment with a similarly enchanting effect…The extraordinarily delicate and fine-lined art incorporates touches of manga aesthetic so that, like the story itself, it merges timeless narrative elements to craft something wonderfully innovative. TOON took a chance on a brand-new talent to create the first of their ever-so-slightly more mature graphic novel line and it’s paid off with a smashing success.” —Booklist, starred review “ The Secret of the Stone Frog is the first graphic novel for children from newcomer David Nytra. This book seems to be steeped in various traditions from children’s literature, making it at once new, yet familiar. Anthropomorphic animals, delightful and peculiar worlds, and adventure in a dream are just a few of the traditions that Nytra draws from. Siblings Leah and Alan wake up one morning and are surprised to find themselves in the middle of an enchanted forest. As they are wondering how to get home, a stone frog speaks up and offers to be their guide. On their journey home, the brother and sister travel through a strange and spectacular world, not unlike Alice in Wonderland , where they encounter fantastic creatures at every turn…you feel like you know them from somewhere but you’re not quite sure where, and you wish you could spend some more time with them. Not surprisingly, readers are drawn into the fantasy world right from the very first panel…Nytra masterfully uses black and white to enhance the feeling of the story; some panels are light and whimsical while others are dark and frightening. Simple dialogue makes this book accessible for young readers in grades two and three, although older children that are fond of fantasy are also likely to enjoy this charming book.” — The Deakin Review of Children’s Literature “This is definitely art to pore over, and evidently it’s the debut children’s book from Nytra, who lives in Canada. Holy moly, I hope we see more from him soon.” — Seven Impossible Things “Although aimed at children, The Secret of the Stone Frog by David Nytra can be enjoyed by anyone who appreciates a good fantasy a