Skip to Main Content

About The Book

"Enchanting." - KIRKUS

Unable to rely on the adults in her storm-ravaged seaside town, a young girl must protect a colony of magical seahorse-like creatures she discovers in the coral reef.

From the Eisner Award-winning author of The Tea Dragon Society and Princess Princess Ever After comes AQUICORN COVE, a heartfelt story about learning to be a guardian to yourself and those you love.

When Lana and her father return to their seaside hometown to help clear the debris of a big storm, Lana remembers how much she’s missed the ocean—and the strong, reassuring presence of her aunt. As Lana explores the familiar beach, she discovers something incredible: a colony of Aquicorns, small magical seahorse-like creatures that live in the coral reef. Lana rescues an injured Aquicorn and cares for it with the help of her aunt, who may know more about these strange creatures than she's willing to admit. But when a second storm threatens to reach the town, choices made many years ago about how to coexist with the sea start to rise to the surface. Lana realizes she will need to find the strength to stand on her own, even when it means standing up to the people who she has always relied on to protect her.

"Highly recommended for all-ages graphic novel collections, especially those where O'Neill's earlier works are popular." - SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL (starred review)

About The Author

K. O'Neill is an Eisner and Harvey Award-winning illustrator and graphic novelist from New Zealand. They are the author of Princess Princess Ever After, Aquicorn Cove, The Tea Dragon series and Dewdrop, all from Oni Press. Their books reflect their interest in tea, creatures, things that grow, and the magic of everyday life.

About The Illustrator

K. O'Neill is an Eisner and Harvey Award-winning illustrator and graphic novelist from New Zealand. They are the author of Princess Princess Ever After, Aquicorn Cove, The Tea Dragon series and Dewdrop, all from Oni Press. Their books reflect their interest in tea, creatures, things that grow, and the magic of everyday life.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Oni Press (October 16, 2018)
  • Length: 96 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781620105290
  • Ages: 7 - 11

Browse Related Books

Raves and Reviews

"Highly recommended for all-ages graphic novel collections, especially those where O'Neill's earlier works are popular."

– SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL (Starred Review)

"A beautiful, LGBTQ-friendly conservation fable."

– Powell's Books

"Aquicorn Cove is a lush, tender tale of grief and environmentalism."

– AV Club

"Aquicorn Cove is a story with strong, smart female characters who realize their impact. Katie O'Neill creates beautiful, heartfelt worlds that you will want to live in."

– Nidhi Chanani, author of Pashmina

"Aquicorn Cove is as much as a love letter to the ocean as it is an invitation to participate in its protection.”

– Maris Wicks, author of Science Comics: Coral Reefs

"Aquicorn Cove is the charming, exquisitely illustrated, and LGBTQ focused book I would have loved as a kid. It’s full of wonder and magic and yet still manages to tug at the heart at the same time."

– Tillie Walden, author of Spinning and On a Sunbeam

"Aquicorn Cove is a magical delight. I barely put it down before my twelve-year-old niece had claimed it for her own. It weaves a story of loss and resilience with minimal words and charming illustrations. You'll fall in love with these characters and the world they inhabit. And like Lana, you'll want to do everything you can to protect it."

– Elissa Sussman, author of STRAY

"Aquicorn Cove is a beautifully drawn book about protecting our oceans and the life in it."

– Polygon

"The message about conserving our oceans is perfect for little ones who love the ocean."

– Book Riot

Resources and Downloads

High Resolution Images

More books from this author: K. O'Neill