Preview this TitleBook Descriptions
for Wally's Route by Debbie Fong and Kayla Catanzaro
From Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)
Wally is a racoon mail carrier who walks his daily route with Bo, his rabbit best friend, in this easy graphic novel comprised of four interconnected chapters. Wally and Bo help out their community in various ways as they deliver the mail, which sometimes slows them down, to the frustration of Mr. Sternbill, who is expecting an important letter. But when a torrential rainstorm might have turned the less committed aside, Wally lives his motto (“Rain, sleet, snow, or shine! Every house, every time!”) which includes Mr. Sternbill’s delivery. In the final chapter, Wally’s laid low by a cold after his day in the rain, but friends and neighbors stop by to deliver get-well gifts. Even Mr. Sternbill comes to apologize for his brusque behavior and offers his own delivery: a book on the history of the postal service. Accessibility for budding graphic novel readers pairs winningly with a cozy sensibility and charming illustrations.
CCBC Choices 2026. © Cooperative Children's Book Center, Univ. of Wisconsin – Madison, 2026. Used with permission.
From the Publisher
2025 ALA GNCRT Best Graphic Novel for Children
Welcome to Faraway Forest, a magical woodland village home to an assortment of adorable animal characters, including a sweet and dedicated raccoon named Wally and a loyal white rabbit named Bo. Perfect for kids who love Animal Crossing!
A colorful cast of animal friends stars in this charming new young readers’ graphic novel series by award-winning author-illustrator Debbie Fong.
Wally, the Faraway Forest’s mail carrier, always tries his best. In addition to delivering packages of every shape and size, he and Bo, his best friend, also deliver kindness and a helping hand along the way. But can they win over their grumpiest neighbor, the cantankerous Mr. Sternbill? Wally and Bo are definitely going to try!
Follow this pair of friends as they discover the power of kindness and community in the first book in The Faraway Forest series.
GREAT FOR NEW READERS: Wonderfully relatable characters, sweet humor, and comic-style layouts make this series ideal for emerging and independent readers. A playful seek-and-find challenge and a “how to draw” section add some interactive fun to the experience!
GRAPHIC NOVEL FUN: Kids love graphic novels! There’s a ton of excitement among young readers about including illustrated chapter books and graphic novel-style stories in their reading choices. This series will be a delight for visually oriented kids.
A RELAXING ANIMAL WORLD: Stepping into the Faraway Forest is as charming and immersive as playing Animal Crossing or Littlest Pet Shop. Parents, caregivers, and kids can all enjoy the cozy vibes of this magical woodland world.
RELUCTANT READER APPEAL: This book's simple text, short chapters, and engaging artwork make it perfect for readers of all interests and abilities, including less enthusiastic readers.
COZY GIFT FOR ALL OCCASIONS: With a classic feel and stories that are centered around themes of kindness, community, and inclusivity, The Faraway Forest series will make a warm and welcome gift for birthdays, back-to-school, holidays, or any special occasion.
Perfect for:
Welcome to Faraway Forest, a magical woodland village home to an assortment of adorable animal characters, including a sweet and dedicated raccoon named Wally and a loyal white rabbit named Bo. Perfect for kids who love Animal Crossing!
A colorful cast of animal friends stars in this charming new young readers’ graphic novel series by award-winning author-illustrator Debbie Fong.
Wally, the Faraway Forest’s mail carrier, always tries his best. In addition to delivering packages of every shape and size, he and Bo, his best friend, also deliver kindness and a helping hand along the way. But can they win over their grumpiest neighbor, the cantankerous Mr. Sternbill? Wally and Bo are definitely going to try!
Follow this pair of friends as they discover the power of kindness and community in the first book in The Faraway Forest series.
GREAT FOR NEW READERS: Wonderfully relatable characters, sweet humor, and comic-style layouts make this series ideal for emerging and independent readers. A playful seek-and-find challenge and a “how to draw” section add some interactive fun to the experience!
GRAPHIC NOVEL FUN: Kids love graphic novels! There’s a ton of excitement among young readers about including illustrated chapter books and graphic novel-style stories in their reading choices. This series will be a delight for visually oriented kids.
A RELAXING ANIMAL WORLD: Stepping into the Faraway Forest is as charming and immersive as playing Animal Crossing or Littlest Pet Shop. Parents, caregivers, and kids can all enjoy the cozy vibes of this magical woodland world.
RELUCTANT READER APPEAL: This book's simple text, short chapters, and engaging artwork make it perfect for readers of all interests and abilities, including less enthusiastic readers.
COZY GIFT FOR ALL OCCASIONS: With a classic feel and stories that are centered around themes of kindness, community, and inclusivity, The Faraway Forest series will make a warm and welcome gift for birthdays, back-to-school, holidays, or any special occasion.
Perfect for:
- Children ages 5 to 8 years old
- Family and classroom read-aloud book
- Early, emergent, and reluctant readers
- Fans of friendship book series like Fox & Chick, Frog and Toad, and Elephant & Piggie
Publisher description retrieved from Google Books.
