Death and Sparkles and the Sacred Golden Cupcake

A parent might reach for this book when their child is navigating a new friendship with someone very different from them, or simply needs a hilarious read that also builds empathy. This graphic novel follows Death (yes, the Grim Reaper) who is having a serious midlife crisis and feeling unappreciated. He begrudgingly teams up with Sparkles, the world's last, most irritatingly cheerful unicorn, on a quest for a magical cupcake that they think will solve all their problems. Through their absurd adventure, they discover the power of teamwork, self-acceptance, and looking past first impressions. It's a fantastic, funny, and surprisingly heartwarming story for middle-grade readers that uses humor to make big ideas about identity and friendship feel accessible.