This is particularly true with the two young female leads. It's a wonderful choice and such authentic feeling work to keep the characters from falling into too-attractive stereotypes and it lends the book even greater depth and layers. But there are also moments, viewed from Rose's perspective, where he appears suddenly more empirically handsome and it's almost painfully relatable. He's thin with strong not traditionally handsome features, big ears and problem skin. The object of Rose's impractical and unfulfilled desire, an older boy that works at the corner store, deemed 'The Dud' by Windy, is magnificently flawed. By contrast, Rose's aunt is full of life, more filled out with glossy bouncing hair and an infectious smile - there might have been a time when these sisters looked quite alike, but life has made them very different women in every way. But others are worth exploration too: Rose's mother is painfully thin and sickly, her depression making her appear fragile and lonely, bitter and without hope.

The character designs are exceptional and brilliantly considered, especially best friends and lead characters Rose and Windy. The color choices make the book feel soft, subtle and welcoming in a way that black and white with spot grey would never be. The pages are simply awash in emotion from panel one, and the entire book evokes instant nostalgia, a yearning for happier and more innocent times. A strange choice of dark purple - almost black - line work over creamy almost yellow paper and with pale purple spot color tones, gives the book an immediately distinct and stunning feel. Though Mariko Tamaki's writing is lovely, full of character and expertly restrained, it is Jillian Tamaki's perfect visuals that creep into your soul and take root forever. Mining well-worn themes of friends growing simultaneously together and apart, trauma and simple pleasures, the edge between childhood and adulthood, Mariko and Jillian Tamaki's 'This One Summer' is so effortless and beautifully executed that it delivers all these things while remaining cliche-free, and delivers a stunning, emotionally engaging, beating heart of a book.

This one summer jillian tamaki