Where to Hide a Star by Oliver Jeffers

"Once there was a boy ... and together with his two friends ... he would often play hide-and-seek."

Boy does the counting because, well he is the only one of the trio who can actually count! It is clear early on that star is not very good at hiding and penguin always hides in the same place but nevertheless the three friends enjoy the routines of their game. Until ...  

Somehow (your young reading companion will see how this happened but the boy doesn't know) star is left behind and because he has been placed in a small rowing boat it is clear he will be more than just lost he will be washed far away. The scene where we see this happening is filled with drama and terror. 

Penguin and boy search high and low but star is nowhere to be found. The boy knows they need extra help, so he calls on his friend the Martian. Will they be able to find star? Where has he gone? Oh, and there is another problem - the girl who finds him would like to keep him as her friend too? How can this dilemma be resolved so everyone is happy? The second last illustration in this book is one to linger over. 

Now go back and find the first book where we meet star:

Reading Where to Hide a Star you are, I'm sure, going to think of the other book by Oliver Jeffers - Lost and Found which is where we meet Penguin.

Then I made this discovery. I have not read or seen the last two books mentioned here: HarperCollins Children’s Books published Jeffers’ debut, How to Catch a Star, in 2004 after it was discovered in a pile of unsolicited manuscripts. It was the first in a series of bestselling books featuring the boy and the penguin, including Lost and Found (2005), The Way Back Hom (2007) and Up and Down (2010).

There is a quality of a truly special picture book that comes when you think you know exactly where a story is going (and perhaps you are right) but the journey to arrive at that all important poignant and emotionally satisfying happy ending contains a surprise or two. I think it is essential for every school library to have all of these books and what a wonderful reading experience this would be for a class of young children to read one each day! And at the end of this fifth book I am sure you will agree there is room for another story. Certainly you will want to talk about what might happen next? Surely the boy will meet his new friend - a young Inuit girl - again. 

"I could barely remember how to paint the boy and the penguin, but once my watercolours were dusted off for first time since the last time these characters were painted, the colour combinations, techniques and brushstrokes all came back to me like a forgotten part of myself. It felt like a reunion with long lost family. Then to be able to continue the momentum of this old familiar world into new territory felt exciting enough to remind me of the time I made How to Catch A Star 20 years ago, and hopefully a whole new generation of kids will share that excitement", said Jeffers. 

Like Jeffers’ other boy-related tales, this one is distinguished by its tone; the author/illustrator excels at cultivating a rose-hued melancholy sweetness that will linger long after the book is closed. The palette of the textured watercolors changes according to location and emotion, with the firmament above appearing in a striking final black-and-white culmination. A gratifying story of loving and letting go. Kirkus

You can hear the author Oliver Jeffers (who was born in Australian but lives in Ireland) reading a tiny sample of his book here. 

You could explore a mini theme of books about the game of hide and seek. This is a fabulous choice because it is such a universal game and also it is a game that very tiny children play in the simplest way by hiding their eyes or seeing an adult carer hide their eyes to play peek-a-boo!

The Best Hiding Place

Molly, Olive and Dexter

The Snow Lion

Fish and Sun

The Search for the Giant Arctic Jellyfish by Chloe Savage

Dr Morley is determined that somewhere out in the icy waters, 

they will find the elusive giant Arctic jellyfish.

They see narwhals; icebergs; beluga whales; seals; killer whales; and polar bears. The crew decorate their deck with a huge snow man. But there is no sight of the famed jellyfish.

"They wonder, just maybe, is the giant Arctic jellyfish really just a myth after all?"

Perhaps it is time to turn around and head home?

Meanwhile young readers have spotted something huge under the water - I can hear them calling out to Dr Morley - she is looking the wrong way!

This voyage may be fictional, but the frustrations—and joys—of scientific exploration are real indeed. Whimsical and wonderful. Kirkus Star review

This magical illustrated book sparkles with a seamless blend of scientific endeavour, magical adventure and passion for the wild. Chloe Savage’s enchanting debut is a journey to the end of the Earth that will charge the imaginations of younger readers with an appetite for adventure. Children's Book of the Month, BBC Wildlife

But enchanting as the story is, it’s only half of the feast. The illustrations are really stunning and tell a secondary story as the giant jellyfish trails the searching boat, artfully slipping out of sight at the crucial moment. Younger readers will be thrilled to see how the jellyfish outwits the scientists until it's ready to be found. There are more than a few echoes of the great Michael Foreman in Savage’s drawing style and her use of a wonderful range of blues only serves to underline the influence. I also loved the use of cross-sections of the boat to illustrate the dedication, order and dedication of the crew at work. Letter Press Project

There are elements of Where’s Wally? in the story as the jellyfish is shown hiding and watching the explorers, and children may well enjoy the sense that they know more than the characters. The small figures of the scientists contrast with the scale of the land and seascapes, ...  Some readers may also enjoy researching the history of real polar expeditions and identifying the facts and figures behind the largest jellyfish ever found. I enjoyed the combination of fiction and fact in this sparkling, playful story – highly recommended. Just Imagine

See inside this book here. My favourite pages are the ones showing the cross sections of the ship with all the crew engaged in different activities. I also love this title page:

This book has been short listed for the Yoto Carnegie award (formerly the Kate Greenaway Medal). The search for the Giant Arctic Jellyfish is a debut picture book for Chole Savage so that is a huge honour. This book is available in paperback here in Australia and at a great price.

Here are the judges' comments: The stunning use of blue and white to represent the cold contrasts with the burnt orange of the ship.  Humour and playfulness in the illustrations helps to create tonal variation from the text. Dr Morley is female and is shown to be confident and comfortable with her role, and whilst being shown as authoritative, she is also adventurous and curious. There’s an assured quality to the continuity in the smallest of details with bins filling up, boxes of provisions dwindling and body language becoming more despondent and tempers fraying as the search progresses. Every character is given expression and so has motivation and stories attached to them. The watercolour paintings are great, friendly and fun. It’s a vibrant and lively story. Despite being a non-fiction text, the illustrations provide stories as well as the opportunity to learn about deep water exploration. Readers not only witness Dr Morley’s search but can actively engage in hunting for the jellyfish on each page as we are given glimpses into other-worldly underwater environments in the Arctic.

Awards:

• Carnegie Medal for Illustration SHORTLIST 2024
• Waterstone Children's Book Prize BEST ILLUSTRATED BOOK WINNER 2024 
• The Sunday Times and Financial Times Books of the Year 2022 
• Stanford's Children’s Book of the Month November 2022 
• Starred Reviews from: Kirkus, Shelf Awareness, Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal 
• As Featured Wall Street Journal and BBC Wildlife Magazine
• Klaus Fugge Prize Long List 2023 

This book is fiction (it is a picture book), but I was interested to see that the library I visit each week have placed it in Non-Fiction [593.53] with other books about jellyfish. This actually seems like a good idea because hopefully the young students who browse the shelves and borrow this book will also take home one or two other books about jellyfish - they are such curious creatures.

Jellyfish - here in Australia we have several that cause problems and one that can even kill you! The Box Jellyfish can be found in the tropical waters of Northern Australia and their sting can cause serious symptoms or even death.

Image source: A to Z animals

Little Bear by Richard Jones

 

Many years ago a Kindergarten teacher asked me for books to share with her class that used the days of the week as a story device. I began to collect them, I added "days of the week" as a subject heading in our library database catalogue and I started a Pinterest of these titles. I have now added Little Bear and I do wish I could share this perfect book with that teacher from all those years ago. (perhaps she reads this blog).

Your youngest reading companions are sure to exclaim over the cover of this scrumptious book - little - that bear is not little - the boy is little - the bear is huge.

Turn to the first page and enormous bear fills the whole page in the same way the bear fills the front cover. Turn the page and we see his real size. This change in perception reminded me of "I'm coming to get you" by Tony Ross. (see cover at the bottom of this post)

On Monday, I found a polar bear in the garden.

He was so small, I held him in my hands.

Preschool children love stories with patterns. In this book, alongside the story device which uses days of the week to advance the plot, we also have the issue of a growing bear. At first the boy can hold the bear in his hands, then he moves into a pocket. By Wednesday he has outgrown the pocket and is placed in a comfortable hat. It is now clear this bear needs to go home. 

You are sure to have read a similar heart-warming story involving the journey of an arctic animal in the wonderful book Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers. In that book the pair of friends, penguin and boy, travel to Antarctica but in this one they need to go to the arctic because that's where Polar Bears live.

The boy and the polar bear climb aboard a small sailing boat but each day the bear gets bigger and so eventually the boy climbs onto the bear's back. Their arrival is a joyous one with a partner for the bear and several young polar bear cubs. The boy is sure his friend is now home and so he says goodbye and sails away. Is this a happy ending? Yes but it is also tinged with a layer of sadness. 

This is a large format, hardcover book and I amazed to say it is not very expensive. I highly recommend you add this book to your school library or preschool library/bookshelf shopping list. Don't hesitate - you need this book now!!

There is joy in their friendship and the scenes are playful and happy even when goodbye is inevitable. A Library Lady

As satisfying as a warm blanket or a cup of cocoa. Kirkus  " Joyous art, celebrating freedom and the beauty of the sea, matches the text in tone and quality."

Very strangely in the US this book has a completely different title and cover illustration - I can hardly believe this is the same book!

I have previously talked about three other books illustrated by Richard Jones (I need to add his name to my list of favourite UK illustrators)

The Proper way to Meet a Hedgehog

Whale in a Fishbowl

The Seed of Doubt

When you want a terrific book to talk about or experience perception of size try to find this one (it is very old).

And as I mentioned Lost and Found will be the perfect companion book.

Lost and Found

I have also added two more books illustrated by Richard Jones to my "to read" list:

You're Sung with Me by Chitra Soundar illustrated by Poonam Mistry

Parental love, sound ecological advice, 

and breathtaking illustrations all in one. Kirkus Star review

"She made a den just big enough for her to turn over, and waited for the falling snow to seal it shut."

Two cubs are born - "You're safe with me."

As the pair grow they begin to explore their den and ask their mother questions about the outside world. Their mother explains the season, the oceans, the cosmos, the balance of nature and the wondrous creatures who live on the land and sea. Eventually the day arrives when the cubs can emerge from the den. 

Blurb: At the start of winter, two bear cubs are born, deep in their den in the frozen north. 'Mama, what lies beyond here?' they ask. "'Above us is a land of ice and snow." "What lies beyond the ice and snow?" they ask. "The ocean, full of ice from long ago." And as they learn the secrets of the earth and their place in it, Mama Bear whispers, "You're snug with me."

Each page is made up of repeating patterns, forming both the animals in the foreground and the whole of the wintry setting making up the background. Illustrator Poonam Mistry uses colour selectively and carefully: all of the illustrations are made up of yellows, oranges, blues and greens and as spring approaches, the pages become brighter. Different snowflakes feature on almost every page and overall the   illustrations throughout the book have a magical quality. Books for Topics

I mentioned Poonam Mistry a couple of days ago when I talked about It's Up to Us: A Children's Terra Carta by Christopher Lloyd and I mentioned Poonan Mistry. Her work is very distinctive and appealing and this book was shortlisted for the 2020 Kate Greenaway medal.

Being brought up surrounded by Indian fabrics, paintings and ornaments have heavily influenced my work. Poonam Mistry.

You can see here You're Snug with me is one book from a set of three - You're Safe with me and You're Strong with me all by author Chitra Soundar.  I wish I could say you should add all of these to your library but here in Australia only schools with very generous budgets will be able to afford these hardcover books which are listed at over $30 each. You could look for How the Stars Came to Be because it is available in paperback for a much lower price. 

Here is the blurb for You're Safe with me: When the moon rises high and the stars twinkle, it is bedtime for the baby animals of the Indian forest. But tonight, when the skies turn dark and the night grows stormy, the little ones can't sleep. SWISH-SWISH! CRACK-TRACK! FLASH-SNAP! goes the storm. Only Mama Elephant with her words of wisdom can reassure them. "You're safe with me." A modern fable that reads like a folktale, this beautifully illustrated tale of motherly love is a perfect bedtime story.

And the blurb for You're Strong with me: The rain clouds are long gone and the dry season scorches the land. Everything is new for the baby giraffe. As she bounds ahead and lags behind, her mother patiently explains the ways of the grasslands. And until she grows a little taller, older, and wiser, her mother reminds her: 'You're strong with me.'

The Song of Lewis Carmichael by Sofie Laguna illustrated by Marc McBride

"Two days to fly by balloon to the North Pole. Not possible."

In the middle of the night a crow taps on Matthew's window. Matthew actually met this same crow who has a broken wing earlier in the day. Outside Matthew sees a huge hot air balloon. The crow, who introduces him self as Lewis Carmichael, tells Matthew to hurry because it is time to head off to the North Pole. 

Matthew is a lonely kid who feels as though he does not fit in. School is hard, his parents seem over protective and relationships are complicated. Books are his solace and he especially loves to read about the world of the Arctic. He has read about the freezing temperatures, amazing wild creatures and the barren landscape. Could this invitation be part of a dream? Matthew is not sure but he tentatively climbs out of his upstairs bedroom window and climbs aboard the balloon.  

There is a third, unseen character, in the story who has outfitted the balloon with everything Matthew and Lewis Carmichael will need for their journey - warm clothes, food, water, a small stove and a good supply of tea. Matthew is not used to drinking tea but Lewis Carmichael insists they enjoy this warm beverage at regular intervals and Matthew finds comfort in the warmth and companionship.

"Who was it that said tea lifts the drinker to the realms of the gods? I drink it from takeaway cups in the park. Leftovers. You know, the last drops in the cup. But if I could have my own cup - what a treat.' Matthew found tea leaves in the box. He boiled water in the second tin pot and added the leaves. Then he poured the dark brew into two cups and placed one of the cups before Lewis."

Lewis Carmichael is truly special. He takes every opportunity to praise and encourage Matthew and gradually as they journey to, and arrive in, the Arctic, Matthew grows in confidence. 

Here are some of the supplies in the balloon:

"Matthew looked in the trunk. He found brown knee-length boots, lined with fur, and gloves made from the same padded, shiny material as the coat. There were boxes marked food and water. There was a small gas stove ... in the same box as dishes and cutlery, a frying pan, and a daypack a little like his own school bag. There was a second cylinder of gas, an enormous padded silver blanket, and a small leather case (where) he found a pair of black binoculars ... "

Now onto the title - Lewis Carmichael sings a song as a way to encourage Matthew:

In all the world, beneath all the skies,

All the skies, I never did see, never did see

I never did see, in all the world,

In all the lands, just this one.

This one boy ...

I'd love to hear the tune. 

The other very special feature of this book is the wonderful art by Marc McBride. It is quite different from his work you may have seen previously in books by Emily Rodda. The text is printed in blue and illustrations in this book are made from very fine lines in the same shade. It is easy to see that the style of illustrations he has created for this book echo Marc's admiration for the work of Edward Ardizzone.

Image Source: Marc McBride

You can read the first eleven pages of The Song of Lewis Carmichael here. In this interview with Joy Lawn at Paperbark Words, Sofie Laguna and her husband Marc McBride talk about their book. And in this podcast Sofie and Marc talk to Middle Grade Mavens. 

Click these review quotes to read more praise for this wonderful adventure:

Marc McBride’s illustrations shine within Laguna’s emotive and elegant poetic prose, which like music, skips, rises and falls. Two immensely gifted creators, collaborating to produce a novel of the utmost beauty. Kids' Book Review

This is an adventure story with a difference although it has a classic feel to it particularly the elements of the boy pitted against the natural world. It will be enjoyed by middle-primary readers and will also be one of those read-alouds where the listeners always ask for ‘just one more chapter’. Margot Hillel Reading Time

I agree with Margot Hillel also says: Lewis’s broken wing, that prevents him from flying, is a metaphor for Matthew’s inability to ‘spread his wings’ and take risks. 

In her interview with Joy Lawn, Sofie mentioned this book:

When I was a child, about nine years old, I read a book called ‘Una and Grubstreet’, by Prudence Andrew. The story is about a lonely girl, Una, who finds a lost baby she believes is neglected. Una is guided by her friend, a little wooden bear that speaks to her, called Grubstreet. The novel has stayed with me all my life. I realise as I write this, it has had a direct influence on me.

Addition to this post:

Joy Lawn, in The Australian newspaper September 11-12, 2021 wrote her review of this book and I would like to give you a few quotes. The article is entitled "A song of many colours". 

"an allusive, timeless fable that will be savoured by young and older readers. It is multifaceted and thought-provoking, with the tone and style of a classic."

"The writing is lit with perfectly paced images of the land, sea, ice and the natural world; the moon, sun and stars; the Milky Way and Northern Lights; birds and feathers and the succouring balloon."

The Girl, The Cat and the Navigator by Matilda Woods

Fortune teller Freydis Spits arrives in the village of Nordlor on the night Captain Britt's wife is due to give birth to their seventh child. Captain Britt has six daughters. He is desperate for a son. Fredyis listens to the sounds inside shells to tell fortunes and having extracted an appropriate and large payment from the Captain she declares:

"After the birth of six disappointing daughters, Captain Britt of the Plucky Leopard will finally become the proud father of a bold and brave son."

Later that night a baby is born but this baby is another girl. The baby is named Oona and over the coming years we read that she is utterly rejected not just by her father but also by her mother and her six sisters. Oona is left to her own devices. Luckily she is a resourceful girl. The women in her family cannot read but Oona hides in the rafters of the school house and listens in to the lessons given to the village boys. She has two books where she reads about legendary sea voyages and sea monsters. Oona longs to join her father on his ship. She is especially curious about one special creature - the nardoo. This amazing creature is purported to fly, to control the weather of the north and to orchestrate the spectacular Northern Lights.

"The nardoos were bigger than whales, brighter than the summer sun and kinder than the kindest man. They were gentle beasts that swam through the waters during the day and flew through the stars at night. It is said that when they cried, the nardoo's tears floated up into the sky and became clouds that came back as fain. It is said that wherever they flew they left tails of brilliant light behind."

Oona's mother decides her daughters need husbands so she packs everyone into a carriage and heads down south. Oona does not want to go south. She feels the pull of the north so late at night she stows away on her father's ship, The Plucky Leopard, observed only by an ancient cat called Barnacles. 

We have all the story elements ready for a brilliant tale - a girl on a mission, an angry father, the gentle navigator, a fortune teller who makes dangerous mistakes and a very resentful cat desperate to preserve his last life. 

I am a little confused about this book. Can I claim it as Australian? Matilda Woods is Australian but her publisher is in the UK (scholastic.co.uk) and her agent is also in UK. I guess all of this explains why I didn't know about this book (published in 2018) and also why it did not appear on our CBCA Notable list in 2019.

Things I enjoyed about The Girl, The Cat and the Navigator:

• The cover - it is perfect
• The illustrations are superbly done by Anuska Allepuz - I think her name should appear on the cover. The illustrations remind me the images in Varjak Paw.
• The wisdom, bravery and heroism of Oona - she is a mighty girl!
• The kindness of the navigator Haroyld
• The village buildings in Nordlor which are made from the timbers of shipwrecks
• The wild battle scene when the ship is attacked by a huge sea monster with eight tentacles
• The fairy tale elements especially through the story thread of the ugly sisters and their marriage to Prince Manfred of Turnip Town!

I highly recommend The Girl, The Cat and the Navigator for all readers aged 10+. I think this book would also be excellent as a family or class read aloud. Click here for more details about each character. Listen to an audio sample from the first chapter by Bolinda Audio.

This is definitely a book to be enjoyed curled up under a warm blanket, by flickering candlelight, with a warm drink. Magical! Library Girl and Book Boy

Lyrical storytelling, a bold, brave, independent girl and mythical creatures, both monstrous & magical, are spun together to create a breathtaking story that reads like the very best fairytales. Miss Cleveland is Reading

With a determined female main character who won’t take no for an answer, the story is complemented with illustrations on every page,enabling you to join Oona on her adventure of a lifetime. Book Trust

I am very keen to read another book by Matilda Woods:

If you read The Girl, The Cat and the Navigator (yes you should read this book!) then you might also enjoy The Pearl in the Ice.

Rainbow Bear by Stephen Michael King

This book is a delight from front to back.  Yes once again I am going to talk about end papers!  In rainbow bear they look like pages from a colouring book and this is perfect for the theme of this story. Also I am so thrilled to see the front end papers are different from the back end papers.

On the first end paper we see a polar bear with a satchel walking down a small hill heading towards the city. Where has he been? Where is he going?  On the half title page Bear stands and watches some young artists standing at their easels. The title page shows a busy city scene.  I searched and searched for bear not thinking to look up! There he was - a passenger in a small yellow plane.

Arriving home Bear presents his wife with a dozen red roses (go back and look at the city scene and you will find the flower seller) and a set of crayons for his two cubs. After a joyous day together Bear settles down to sleep. In the morning he is transformed. A refreshing swim restores him but the next night and the next the same thing happens.  Finally one morning Bear sees some tracks in the snow and he traces the mischief makers.

I haven't met Stephen Michael King and yet he feels like a friend. His books and illustrations always make me smile. I love to read and re-read Where does Thursday go (Janeen Brian), The man who loved boxes, Henry and Amy and Mutt Dog.  Like many other books by Stephen Michael King I really hope this wonderful book is included in the 2019 CBCA Notables and from there makes the short list. Here are some teachers notes from the publisher.

One tiny thing to notice. I absolutely do not have a problem with this, but an astute reader will point out, polar bears and penguins do not live in the same polar regions. Rainbow Bear is an imaginative story that celebrates mischief and love in a family. I'm sure the science facts can be put aside for now. I highly recommend Rainbow Bear for school libraries and as a book to treasure in your own collection.

I would pair this book with Elmer and compare the wonderful design work on the grey elephants and while polar bears.

Image source: https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-28202506

North - The Greatest Animal journey on Earth by Nick Dowson illustrated by Patrick Benson

They are all embarking on one long, intense journey that will take them across oceans and continents, for thousands of miles - braving predators, starvation and extreme weather conditions - to reach the very top of the world. LoveReading4Kids

Just last week another Teacher-Librarian and I were talking about special non fiction books with exquisite illustrations and a rich narrative style.Today I spied this book in my local public library. North is an excellent example of this 'genre'.  Patrick Benson has created the Arctic world so vividly you will almost feel cold reading this glorious book.

"At the very top of our world is a huge wild place called the Arctic. Here in winter, the sun sinks away, blizzards fill the darkness and even the seas freeze deep."

It is winter and the only animals stirring in this harsh expanse are the polar bear and arctic fox but when spring comes plants appear along with visitors from the far reaches of the world. Grey whales from Mexico, terns from Antarctica and godwits from New Zealand.

There are lots of other birds too such as snow geese and white cranes. Pregnant caribou arrive with hungry wolves close behind. We see walrus and the mysterious narwhal.

"By late May, travellers crowd together near the very top of the world where even the coldest frozen seas are melting."

Babies are born and new life abounds but then the seasons cycle again. Days grow shorter. "Soon all the visitors will journey south - back to where they winter" leaving behind polar bear, fox, musk ox and arctic hare to "roam the frozen night alone."

On the final pages of North you can read brief facts about the Arctic. Over 180 different animals migrate there every year in spring. Sadly this important cycle is threatened by global warming. Nick Dowson also includes a glossary and index - important features in a non fiction book.

If you are unfamiliar with the work of Patrick Benson take a look at these:
Night sky Dragons
Owl Babies
The Little Boat

You could also look for an excellent book about the migration of the godwit by Jeannie Baker called Circle. This book is another example of a non fiction text with amazing art work and a narrative text.

Here are some other books in this style which explore the Arctic and the animals of this unique region.

The white fox by Jackie Morris

I adore the cover of The White Fox and I think this is why I picked out this little book (84 pages) on a recent shopping expedition.
.

Originally I thought we would put this book in our junior fiction section but now I have read it I will put it with our main fiction section because this is such a sensitive story which middle primary readers are sure to enjoy.

A white fox is seen down near the docks in Seattle.  Sol is more than curious.  He feels a desperate need to save this wild creature.  He knows in the past cats living down at the docks are caught. "His dad told him they took the cats to animal shelters where they were re-homed but Sol wasn't sure. No one would want these crazy stunted spitting wildcats. He had his own ideas of what happened to them."

Each week Sol receives a letter from his grandparents who live in the Arctic.  While it is never stated in the text you can see below that Sol and his family are Inuit people.  Sol hears that 'his white fox' has been captured.  He begs his dad to take him down to the docks.

"And I know I can't have a fox, and it's not yours to give anyway. But he needs to go home. ... he doesn't belong here. He belongs to the wild."

Their journey from Seattle to Alaska takes six days and gradually Sol talks to his dad about his unhappiness at school and he dares to ask about his mother who died in a car crash when he was just two.  Sol and his dad form a new bond. When they arrive, the grandparents give the father and son space and time to settle in.  Sol's grandmother shows him the carvings made by his mother. Sol feels comfortable and at home for the first time in his life. Now he needs to convince is father that this is the place they need to be.  This is truly their home.

Take time to read this review.  We have several other books in our school library illustrated by Jackie Morris.  She is such a skilled illustrator.

Miki by Stephen Mackey

Here is a Christmas story with a difference. “On midwinter eve when an icy wind blew the moon weaved her magic and wishes came true.” So begins this lovely book about Miki and her wish to decorate a little tree in an icy land.

Miki and penguin begin by wishing for pretty lights that tinkle and then to make it a tale for our times their wish for a power source brings a very modern looking windmill. Even though the polar bear is very strong he runs out of breath and so then Miki wishes for a star that can shine forever.

This is a moving story about perseverance and the unbreakable bonds of true friendship. The repeated refrain gives the narrative a song like quality and the softest of illustrations will be loved by the youngest readers. You can even see a little video of this book.