So the reason I wanted to read this is as y'all know I love graphic novels and I saw this one from one of my favourite publishers (Oni Press) so I decided to apply for it. Friends, I'm so happy I got to read this one. First of all this is such a cute quick little read, I ended up reading it in one sitting because of how short it is and most of the storytelling being the imagery. The artwork throughout this is adorable and nostalgic and definitely gives off that fairytailesque vibe it's trying to portray. I loved every minute of the story and really resonate with needing to take a break rather than pushing myself too hard (which I think every single disabled person has felt at some point) and even though this wasn't directed towards disabled people, just people in general, it was such a nice reminder to have. I can't get enough of retellings and this was such a perfect one to add to my collection. I would genuinely recommend this story to everyone and anyone because it is 1000% something that everyone can relate do and I genuinely believe everyone deserves that little reminder that the book is trying to portray. I will definitely be picking myself a copy of this book when it comes out and possibly a copy for my brother so he can have it for my niece and nephews.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this eARC.

This was an absolute beautiful and magical graphic novel. The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous - the colour palette is beautiful and the level of detail to every small element only adds to the quality of this graphic novel. If that wasn’t enough, the storyline provides whimsy whilst simultaneously providing a compelling lesson, making this story applicable for both children and adults.
The inspiration for this story does not feel drowned or too similar but a wonderful blend of the inspired text and the author’s interpretation.
Overall it was a joy to read!

A lovely retelling of a classic fairytale.
Each country has its favorite, this seems to be a popular Romanian one, revamping it to take on the value of work, but also of keeping burnout at bay, pacing yourself, being kind, valuing what you have...
Very cute illustrations, and story good for all age groups as each will be able to pick something from it.

The Lost Sunday is a book that I could read over and over again, devouring the details and thoughtful illustrations. It is fantastical retelling of the lesser known fairytale “The Old Man’s Wise Daughter” where Nina must seek out the witch who stole Sundays, so that she can escape a never-ending cycle of chores and drudgery. I love that this story teaches the importance of rest and leisure, while still taking pride in hard work and motivation. It is a difficult balance to walk and Ileana Surducan does it with such beauty and imagination. I can’t wait to recommend this to all of my fantasy and fairytale lovers.

The Lost Sunday is an engaging, off-beat book, with a thoughtful premise and fascinating lineage. I especially liked the author's elaboration at the end of the book, which detailed the fairy-tale roots of the story, and the conglomeration of inspirations that informed her own vibrant retelling. I enjoyed reading about the author's process, and the reasons behind some of her creative decisions (it was like getting a "behind the scenes" glimpse that we don't often get from the books we read). The story began with an interesting question; what would the world be like without a day set aside for rest?

The Lost Sunday might be a gentle prompt/starting place for a pursuing a deeper grasp of the day's significance beyond the resolution of the fairy tale.

A lovely, feel good graphic novel for kids ages 7 to 12. A good message and fun art. My 7 year old daughter read it and says it is a perfect fit for our shop. I look forward to seeing what else this author/illustrator does.

A beautifully illustrated fairytale retelling of one girl's quest to get back Sunday.

I really enjoyed how the story flowed, from the way it is depicted on the page to the pacing. The colors are also beautiful, with muted tones to signify a world that is rundown by work to bright tones when the importance of rest is portrayed. Nina is spunky, helpful, and emphatic to those around her. She is a heroine you are rooting for, and ecstatic for when her hard work pays off.

It's a classic tale with a modern twist ripe for a new generation.

I could not possibly praise this book enough. The illustration is absolutely mesmerising and the story is simple yet meaningful. I am going to buy multiple copies of this as presents for my students.

'The Lost Sunday' is a charming fairy tale story about the importance of having time to relax and knowing when to step up and help.

Nina helps a different person on each of the six days of the week, but the never ending cycle of work is exhausting, even for someone who likes to help. Supported by her village friends, she sets off on a quest to find the witch of the well, and see if she can restore the lost sunday.

With a beautiful art style, and a good pace, this will be a great story to read to kids and have them follow along.

This was an amazing fairytale about the lost Sunday, a day which people usually rest.

I loved the amazing artwork of this, the colors were so vibrant and the story was so heart warming. I would definitely reads this tale to my nephew and I believe the messages of this tale are really important.

I highly recommend it.

I was recently approved for an ARC of The Lost Sunday by Ileana Surducan, and it turned out to be absolutely magical.

The story takes place in a quiet village where a witch has stolen all the Sundays, and a young woman sets out on a gentle but determined journey to bring them back. It’s a whimsical tale with a fairy tale feel—charming, imaginative, and full of heart. The art is absolutely stunning, with colourful, expressive illustrations that perfectly complement the dreamy tone of the story.

If you love cosy, folklore-inspired stories with beautiful visuals and a touch of quiet magic, The Lost Sunday is a gem you won’t want to miss.

Thank you to NetGalley and Oni Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Lost Sunday is a loose fairytale retelling. The main character works every day without rest, since Sunday is missing. She then goes on a quest to find Sunday.

The art style and colour palette are beautiful, perfectly suiting the story’s whimsical feel.

Overall, this book is a lovely read, I highly recommend it.

Thank you to the publisher for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

💭 My Thoughts
Someone go call Disney to make a short film based on this because this was AMAZING! The artwork was vibrant and gorgeous, and the story was paced beautifully with a deep message behind it and had a fairytale feeling reminiscent of the classic childhood tales. I appreciated the overall idea of taking breaks from working daily without allowing yourself to become like the "imaginary Nina" as well as that it's worth it to go out of your way to help others. This is a perfect story to read with your little readers of all ages.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Oni Press for a digital copy. All opinions are my own

One of the best uses of colour pallets!
This is based on a fairytale found all over the world - two sisters and a witch who challenges them. One tends to be helpful, one selfish.
Here, Nina goes on a quest to rescue Sunday from a witch, burnt out from working so hard and wanting a carefree day.
A chance to relax compared to a prince as a reward? That’s is relatable.

I read this in about ten minutes.
It’s a graphic novel that is magical in its illustrations. The colours were masterfully deployed to suit the themes, moods, days!

Nina’s town, with its suspended, multistory houses, its hidden corners and narrow alleys are inventive and unique.
The auntie states in their note at the end:
It’s a metaphor for one’s mental space—cluttered, compressed, and full of secrets.

This was just delightful!

Arc gifted by ONI Press.

The Lost Sunday is an enchanting little graphic novel that gently reminds us of the importance of rest and balance in our lives. Right from the start, I was charmed by the dedication: "To all those brave enough to take a break and cherish their free time." It perfectly sets the tone for the story that follows.

This delightful tale unfolds in a town where Sunday has been captured by a witch, leaving the townspeople stuck in an endless loop of work from Monday to Saturday. Refusing to accept a life without rest, one brave young girl embarks on a quest to rescue Sunday and restore the rhythm of life. Since this is a short book, I won’t reveal more, but it’s absolutely worth discovering for yourself.

Both the story and the artwork are captivating. The illustrations are very whimsical. What makes it even more special is that the book draws inspiration from folktales, which is explained beautifully at the end.

Overall, The Lost Sunday is a heartwarming and thoughtful read. Highly recommend it if you’re looking for a quick yet meaningful escape.

Thank you to @netgalley and @onipress for providing me with a review copy of this wonderful book.

such a cute and meaningful story! the artwork was very detailed and it fit the narrative sooo well ☺️ bonus points because it read like a fairytale and i love fairytales and fairytale retellings with all my heart ✨

thank you oni press for this free copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book was so adorable! I thought the premise was so cute and such a wonderful little story!

The art was incredible! I loved the very loose sketchy style of the line work, and the use of colors (and lack thereof) was so good!

I loved the contrast and difference between Nina and her double, which I suppose is the point, but I love how it brought out the best in Nina!

I will say, I would have liked to see more of their world and that it was a bit longer.

overall, I think it's a beautiful little story and that the message of the story is "take a break" which I think is something we all need to do more often!

This story follows Nina, who lives in a world without Sundays. She goes on an adventure to bring Sundays back home, and the people in her village are very supportive (which I thought was nice). Through her dedication and hard work with all the other days, perhaps Nina will be able to bring Sunday home and find just a little bit of free-time in her otherwise grueling, non-stop week.

5/5⭐️ First of all, thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for an arc of “The lost sunday”. The story, the art, the message, THE ART…I don’t give this graphic novel more stars because 5 is the highest rating available, i absolutely loved it.

A charming tale sympathetic to anyone who's suffered burnout or felt overwhelmed by the demands of life. The days of the week as wolves was quite fitting and cute, serving to show how they could be a threat but also something that needs tending to. Having been previously familiar with the Frau Halle folk tale via OSP's brief retelling of it, it was nice to see a fleshed out twist here.