Barillaro’s warm illustrations and graphic-novel-style passages make the world feel expansive and alive. Some pages invite you to pause and absorb the artwork, while the more dramatic sequences give the adventure a cinematic quality.

Inside, you'll find an array of Aiken’s artworks that blend narrative and visual artistry. The paintings depict the Raimbillis engaging in daily activities, festivities, and the simple joys of life. The narratives accompany the paintings, adding context and giving readers a glimpse into the story behind each piece. These stories of music-filled gatherings, playful pranks, and communal living evoke a nostalgic charm and a connection to a simpler, joyful world.

"Indigo Hours: Healing Haiku" by Nancy Stone is a poignant and beautifully crafted collection of haiku poems, accompanied by original scratchboard drawings. This book is more than just a compilation of poetry; it's a deeply personal journey through the challenges of caregiving, the complexities of Alzheimer's disease, and the resilience of the human spirit.

One aspect that truly captivated me was the emphasis on personal growth for the four main characters. 'S.P.I.R.I.T.' skillfully weaves their individual stories of maturation, genuinely exploring their struggles, triumphs, and self-discovery.

I really appreciated how the writers and artists utilized Baum’s original series and did not rely on the more well-known film version of the characters. The writers of the stories also understood many of the characters and lands in the 13-book series, including people like the Shaggy Man and Ozma.