Hilda is the star of her own animated TV series on Netflix, but the young heroine with blue hair originated from the graphic novels by cartoonist Luke Pearson.
The adventures of Hilda take place in a world that looks a little bit like a late 20th century Scandinavia place, inhabited by regular people and fantastical creatures like trolls, giants, elves, and spirits. In the beginning, Hilda lives with her mother in a cottage, before moving to the city of Trolberg. This fantasy world is inspired by Scandinavian folklore and The Moomins.
Hilda can never sit still for long without setting off on another adventure. She can’t resist exploring her enchanting world—a place where trolls walk, crows speak, and mountains move. The magic and folklore of the wild, windswept North come alive in this book about an adventurous little girl and her habit of befriending anything, no matter how curious it might seem.
Hilda Graphic Novels Reading Order
a. Hildafolk, the graphic novel series written by Luke Pearson
Published between 2010 and 2019, Hilda (also known as Hildafolk) is the original graphic novel written and illustrated by Luke Pearson that inspired the Netflix series.
- Hildafolk (re-released as Hilda and the Troll)
While on an expedition to illustrate the magical creatures of the mountains around her home, Hilda spots a mountain troll.
- Hilda and the Midnight Giant
When creatures bombard Hilda’s house with eviction notices, she has to think twice before making their acquaintance. Come to think of it, who is this giant who only appears at midnight, and why is Hilda the only person who can see him? - Hilda and the Bird Parade
Hilda and her mother have finally laid roots down in their new home in Trolberg. Pining for her magical friends and wonder-filled homeland, Hilda is finding it hard to fit into this crowded new place. But today is somehow different, today Hilda sees a glimmer of the magic she left behind in the fjords. - Hilda and the Black Hound
In Hilda’s new adventure, she meets the Nisse: a mischievous but charismatic bunch of misfits who occupy a world beside—but also somehow within—our own, and where the rules of physics don’t quite match up. Meanwhile, on the streets of Trolberg, a dark specter looms…
- Hilda and the Stone Forest
Hilda may be grounded, but that won’t stop her from heading off on another daring adventure! But everything is thrown off course when her mother catches her and is dragged along for the ride. Furious with each other, the bickering pair find themselves lost in the land of the trolls, forced to embark on a dangerous journey to make their way home. - Hilda and the Mountain King
We rejoin our heroine for her latest adventure just as she awakes to find herself… in the body of a troll! Her mum is worried sick, and is perplexed by the strange creature that seems to have taken Hilda’s place. Now, both of them are in a race to be reunited before Ahlberg and his safety patrol get the chance to use their new secret weapon to lay waste to the trolls, and Hilda along with them!
b. Hilda, the Netflix tie-ins
These books are written by Stephen Davies. and based on the Netflix animated series. Each book adapts multiple episodes of the animated series into a single story, while also adding more world-building to the universe of Hilda. Seaerra Miller illustrates the first three, Victoria Evans handles books four through six, and Sapo Lendário illustrates books seven to nine.
- Hilda and the Hidden People
Join our beloved heroine as she encounters her very first troll, negotiates peace with some very persnickety elves, and reunites two lovelorn ancient giants.
- Hilda and the Great Parade
Hilda faces new challenges as she moves from the wilderness to the city of Trolberg! - Hilda and the Nowhere Space
Hilda is warding off the nightmarish Marra, rescuing weather spirits and searching for the elusive black hound, and she’s still got to make it to the Sparrow Scout badge ceremony on time! - Hilda and the Time Worm
Hilda is cooking up adventure with the Sparrow Scouts, thwarting mischievous Yule Lads, and battling mechanical bell-ringers.
- Hilda and the Ghost Ship
Ships are vanishing from the harbor and no one knows why. Could the answer lie out on Cauldron Island? - Hilda and the White Woff
Discover rock-eating slugs, a friendly baby troll, and the story behind Twig becoming Hilda’s very own deerfox. - Hilda and the Laughing Merman
Hilda heads to Scout Camp. But, when her expedition map gets lost and she encounters a merman fleeing a vicious sea serpent, Hilda is flung into her newest adventure. - Hilda and the Faratok Tree
When she stumbles across the faratok tree and finds herself in the Time of Giants, Hilda learns all about the Giant Slayer. - Hilda and the Fairy Village
Hilda visits her Great Aunt Astrid in Tofoten and is surprised to discover that it’s a fairy village . . .
Three companion books to the Animated series have also been published to explore Hilda’s world:
- Hilda’s Sparrow Scout Badge Guide
The guide for all member of the scouting group in Trolberg. - Hilda’s Book of Beasts and Spirits
A bestiary for the various creatures seen in the Hilda franchise. - Hilda’s World: A guide to Trolberg, the wilderness, and beyond
a book that tells of Trolberg and its Trolbergian inhabitants. Take a tour of the city, and learn about its secrets from Hilda herself.