Tchia

This archipelago adventure has soul

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While we pretended to be all sorts of things as imaginative youngsters – wiggly worms, fantastic dragons, and as recently mentioned, cats – we’re  not sure our childhood games ever involved someone pretending to be a can of gasoline.

This is a surprisingly gutsy children’s fable – and we’re not just talking about the arson. There’s also bloody dismemberment, and a recurring comedic bit about a headless chicken who just won’t quit. None of this is presented in a way that works against Tchia’s charming tone, but it’s worth being aware of before sharing this tale with tiny tots.

Though inspired by New Caledonia, the people and places you encounter don’t necessarily bear a strict resemblance to the islands in real life. That said, characters speak in French and Drehu (the two most prominent languages in New Caledonia), Kanak cultural practices are referenced, and the region’s shapeshifting folklore infuses the titular protagonist’s unique ability.