Books like Hilda and the Midnight Giant

A cozy, bittersweet plunge into a folklore-rich wilderness where hidden magical creatures complicate the very real fear of moving away from home. These 12 books are the closest matches in mood, pace and themes, with what each one shares with Hilda and the Midnight Giant.

cozy
wondrous
autumnal
nostalgic

01
Hilda y el trol
Luke Pearson
A cozy, folklore-infused stroll through a world where the magical and the mundane sit comfortably side by side.
Shares:
- cozy
- wondrous
- autumnal
- earnest
02
Mighty Jack and the Goblin King
Ben Hatke
A breathless, visually stunning rescue mission through a perilous fantasy realm where courage and sibling devotion are the ultimate magic.
Shares:
- wondrous
- earnest
- adventurous
03
Giant days
John Allison
A witty, fast-paced romp through the messy, hilarious trials of university life and the fierce bonds of new friendship.
Shares:
- cozy
04
Odd and the Frost Giants
Neil Gaiman
A cozy, wintry folktale where quiet cleverness outwits ancient magic.
Shares:
- cozy
- whimsical
- gentle
05
Garlic and the Witch
Bree Paulsen
A charmingly illustrated, cozy fantasy about a brave little vegetable navigating the scary but magical changes of growing up.
Shares:
- cozy
- whimsical
- earnest
- gentle
06
In Real Life
Cory Doctorow and Jen Wang
A vibrant, big-hearted exploration of how our digital avatars connect us to very real, very human global struggles.
Shares:
- earnest
07
The Arrival
Shaun Tan
A breathtaking, wordless journey through a surreal and strange new world that captures the universal heartache and hope of leaving home.
Shares:
- wondrous
- nostalgic
- earnest
- melancholic
08
All's faire in middle school
Victoria Jamieson
A warm, visually engaging exploration of the awkward clash between a quirky, theatrical family life and the harsh realities of public middle school.
Shares:
- earnest
09
The witch boy
Molly Ostertag
A warm, affirming magical journey about breaking rigid traditions to bloom into your authentic self.
Shares:
- cozy
- autumnal
- earnest
- gentle
10
Graveyard shakes
Laura Terry
A spooky, spirited graphic adventure where the trials of boarding school give way to the eerie magic of a graveyard underworld.
Shares:
- whimsical
- earnest
- adventurous
11
On a sunbeam
Tillie Walden
A breathtakingly gorgeous, slow-burn journey through space that feels like a warm hug from a found family.
Shares:
- cozy
- nostalgic
- earnest
- gentle
12
Nimona
Noelle Stevenson
A chaotic, subversive fantasy romp that lures you in with deadpan humor before breaking your heart with its profound emotional depth.
Feels:
- playful
- chaotic
- bittersweet

Back to Hilda and the Midnight Giant