The Tale of the Mandarin Ducks by Katherine Paterson illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon

The cruel lord captures the beautiful Mandarin Drake. His mate is back on the nest guarding their eggs. The drake is placed in a cage but over time his plumage fades as he is desperately missing his mate. The lord has no interest in the drake and so the bird is placed in a far corner of the grounds. A young servant girl cannot see this bird suffer and so late at night she sets him free. Another employee of the lord is accused of the crime but when they are discovered together, both are condemned to death. Luckily two mysterious strangers arrive with an edict from the Emperor that it now illegal to execute any prisoners. The pair begin the long march to see the Emperor in the city but who are these mysterious strangers? 

A beautiful fable about kindness and that expression 'one good turn deserves another'. 

This story contains such a rich vocabulary - brocade; brag; lustre; delicacies; radiantly; retainers; and plumage. 

Blurb from the author webpage: Brilliant watercolor and pastel paintings in the style of eighteenth-century Japanese woodcuts illuminate this engaging retelling of a popular Japanese folktale. Coveting a mandarin duck for his magnificent plumage, a greedy lord captures and cages him for all to admire. But the wild creature pines for his mate. When Yasuko, the kitchen maid, releases the bird against the lord’s command, she and the one-eyed servant, Shozo, are sentenced to death. How the grateful drake and his mate return the loving couple’s kindness and outsmart the capricious lord makes for a wondrous outcome.

Paterson tells (this story) with subtlety, grace, and her characteristic sensitivity to such troths as that "trouble can always be borne when it is shared." The Dillons, who have twice won the Caldecott Medal, have outdone themselves in these elegant, deftly limned illustrations in a Japanese style. In mellow, grayed hues and crisp black, each double spread appears in two borderless panels that allow the eye to make them one without catching in the gutter; the blocks of text are expertly incorporated in the handsome design. An outstanding contribution. Kirkus Star review

Image source

If you do have a copy of this book it would be good to share it with a group of Grade 3-5 students and then take some time to discuss the role of folktales to impart important wisdom. This video is not perfect but it is a way for you to hear the whole story and see the very special art by Leo and Diane Dillon. I think this book might still be available and in paperback for a good price. You can see more books by Katherine Paterson here. 

I think this book may have come from a charity book sale. I found it on the processing shelves of a library where I am working as a volunteer. Unfortunately, someone has torn out the front-end paper. I guess I will place this copy in a local street library rather than add it to my own bulging shelves. 

Hidden Treasure by Jessie Burton

"She was right by the water, exactly where they had seen his own mother in shadow, throwing in the Jewels ... Bo had her back to him, facing the river with her arms stretched out. And just like Billy's mother, she had the Eclipsing Moon in one hand, and the Brightest Sun in the other."

Bo Delafort is a river girl. She lives near the Thames and she and her family hunt through the debris washed up by the river hoping to find treasures. Yes this is mudlarking. And as this story opens Bo has found a real treasure. Something so valuable her family could possibly be rich way beyond their wildest dreams but Bo has no intention of selling this moon jewel. The river has spoken to Bo and given her a vision which seems to be part of a bigger story about this object. On the day she finds one part of the Jewels of the Eclipse she also meets a boy. Bo lives on the south side of the river and Billy lives on the north side. Astute readers might notice some odd things about Billy (I only made these discoveries later) but Bo feels a connection to Billy and so she eventually shares her treasure.

Meanwhile up in the big house where Billy works in the kitchen the owner Dr Frederick Muncaster is in a rage. He is desperate to find the two jewels - moon and sun - because with these he can restore his family fortunes. He scoffs at the story that there is a magical ballad that can release the power of these stones but it is that promise of power that keeps you turning the pages because this power can bring a dead loved one back to life. Billy wants to be reunited with his dead mother. Bo has just watched her loved brother march off to be a solider in World War II and now the family learn he has died but what about the mysterious Miss Alice Cressant. She has arrived as the new teacher at school and she seems to be taking a special interest in young Bo. Muncaster also has a strange lady in his life - her name is Avery Charbonnier. Billy is suspicious of her but not for any of the reasons we discover later. 

Publisher blurb: For the people who live on the banks of the Thames, the river is a living, breathing thing. It can take your treasures. It can hide your treasures. And, sometimes, it can give them back. Bo and Billy are two children who have never met. Billy is an orphan. Bo's dad died when she was small and now her brother is off to war. Both children are poor, but they have each found half of a priceless treasure, given up by the river. A treasure which – when the pieces are reunited – holds the power to give back to one of them the most precious thing they have ever lost. But should the treasure be put back together again? And why has the river given it up now?

I often read two even three books at the same time. I kept Hidden Treasure beside my bed this week and so it has taken me quite a long time to finish this book but I did enjoy taking 'small bites' of the story rather than bingeing the whole thing in one or two sessions. Last night I read the final 50 pages and the action just raced along because we had reached the all-important night of the eclipse which Jessie Burton beautifully links with the night World War I ends. As an adult reader I knew it would be impossible to bring back someone who has died but I did not predict the way Jessie Burton resolved her gripping story. 

We keep reading about the ballad the Bo needs so I was pleased to see the whole piece quoted at the back of the book. Here is an important fragment:

O Billy River, you'll never be alone!

O Billy River, I'm letting you fly home!

O Billy River, you just wait and see,

I am the River Girl and I've come to set you free!

Here are a couple of examples of the way Jessie Burton describes a character or a scene:

"The man before her was in his late thirties, as tall and broad as a prizefighter and dressed in a brown that suit that her mother would have marvelled at for the fineness of its cut. But despite its quality, Bo noticed it was worn out at the edges. The sky-blue silk tie at his neck was faded, and so was the whiteness of his shirt. ... And beneath the brim of his bowler hat, piercing her with a stare, was a pair of sinister emerald eyes."

"With a huge key he retrieved from his pocket, Kimble unlocked and pushed open a heavy door. It opened on to a small room, with a large table in the middle, upon which were two pairs of soft white cotton gloves. The room was lit b three weak electric lights screwed to the walls. It was bare, apart from the table and a bookshelf on the far wall, about eight shelves high from floor to ceiling, crammed with leather bound volumes of various thicknesses."

The reviewer at Kids' Book Review loved Hidden Treasure but I found it odd that they suggested 12+. I think mature readers with good reading stamina aged 11+ are sure to enjoy Hidden Treasure. 

A piece of ambitious storytelling, it successfully conveys the awful grief of loss, the feeling of the temptation to bring a dead loved one back, even as a ghost, is genuine. All that is wrapped up in a fast-moving adventure with child friendly central characters and baddies who really are very bad and come to a suitably unhappy ending. There’s a dramatic climax but there are twists and surprises throughout, treasures to keep readers turning the pages. Books for Keeps

There is a fierceness to Bo that makes her compelling, an irreverent heedlessness and insatiable curiosity that leads her to plough on regardless of obstacles, a trait that does her both great credit and great harm. In Billy, we find a quieter, sadder, more reserved character, one who is more worldly wise, and the pair of them make an excellent contrast. Wet Broken Things

Better Reading list three reasons to read Hidden Treasure:

• Bo and Billy feel like real kids and their journeys will make your heart ache, then soar with joy. Billy is an orphan and Bo’s family has already faced so many losses. But these two heroes are brave, kind and determined to do what’s right, no matter what. You’ll root for them from the very first page as their friendship and growth is as powerful as the treasure they’re chasing!
• If you love books with rich, detailed worlds and stories that keep you on the edge of your seat, Hidden Treasure is perfect for you. Think exciting quests, magical realism and characters you won’t forget, just like the adventures in books by authors like Philip Pullman and Katherine Rundell. You’re about to get swept up in a new classic!
• Every page is full of surprises. When Bo and Billy find the treasure pieces, things get complicated. Should they put it back together or is it too dangerous? Could it lead to something more powerful? Every twist makes the story more thrilling, and by the end, you’ll be left thinking about it long after the last page.

Jessie Burton is an author whose books include adult bestsellers The Miniaturist, The Muse, The Confession and The House of Fortune, and a previous novel for young readers, The Restless Girls, which is being adapted for a musical.

Reviewer mention Ruby in the Smoke (Philip Pullman) as a book to read after Hidden Treasure. It is many decades since I read Ruby in the Smoke, but I do remember the opening scenes were fantastic. Here is an Australian companion book:

Here is a review

Kids' Book review have more plot details

The Book Muse

Azizi and the Little Blue Bird by Laila Koubaa illustrated by Mattias De Leeuw translated by David Colmer

"Not that long ago, in a country that still exists today, Azizi was relaxing in an orange tree."

Azizi hears his father hanging portraits in their lounge room. They are huge and portray very ugly people. His father explains he has to hang them - these are the two rulers Tih and Reni. The family have to appear to be loyal and at all times they have to be careful about what they say incase 'the walls have ears'.  Readers will begin to feel the oppression and fear of their lives, and this is only page two!

"Tih and Reni ruled the Land of the Crescent Moon with an iron hand. And they stuffed their stomachs full from early in the morning until late at night. ... (their) courtyard was filled by an enormous white cage that had all of the country's blue bird locked up inside it."

I would stop reading at this point (sorry to interrupt the story), but can you anticipate an act of heroism? Also why are they locking up all the birds? Why would these cruel rulers be afraid of little blue birds? What power might the birds have? (twitter, twitter!)

As Tih and Reni grow in power (and size) the people seem to shrink and almost disappear. Then one day a blue bird lands on the window ledge of Azizi's house. Azizi and his mother have made garlands of jasmine which they attached to twigs tied together with red threads. The little blue bird tells Azizi to gather the jasmine and join all the threads together. It is time to fly to the castle. Azizi is now so small that their sewing needle is almost like a sword. Remember how big Tih and Reni have become - their bodies are like huge balloons. 

"swift as an arrow, Azizi and the little blue bird drilled a hole right through Tih and Reni. Everything the greedy rulers had stolen exploded into the sky like giant fireworks, and the key to the big white cage shone among the vases, carpets, and dishes."

The little blue bird and Azizi set all the birds free.  I love the final sentence:

"And as Azizi and the little blue bird did somersaults in the star-filled sky, the sweet smell of jasmine rained down over the Land of the Crescent Moon."

The blue birds are representative of Twitter, and the widespread censorship of the internet by various governments during the revolutions – when I worked this out, suddenly the story made a whole lot more sense, and became more than just a poetic tale.  Bookseller NZ

I picked this book up at a recent charity book sale. I wonder who previously purchased it here in Australia. This book was originally published in 2013 in Flemish with the title Azizi en de kleine blauwe vogel by Book Island. There are teachers notes on the publisher page. You could use this book with students aged 10+ as a good discussion starter. The book size is extra large and the illustrations are colourful, appealing and very detailed. 

Bookseller blurb: Azizi lives with Umma and Baba in a country ruled with an iron fist, whose leaders capture all the blue birds and lock them up in a white cage in the courtyard of their palace. While the rulers swell and bulge like hot air balloons, stuffing their stomachs from morning till night, the people shrink and suffer until they are almost invisible. One day, when Azizi is no bigger than a pine nut in a glass of mint tea, a little blue bird escapes from the cage. Determined to live in fear no longer, Azizi and the little blue bird set out on a journey to free the people of their cruel and greedy rulers and bring peace to the land once more. This contemporary fairy tale of freedom against oppression is inspired by the Jasmine Revolution in Tunisia.

This gorgeous story is reminiscent of traditional fairy tales, with a brave hero, evil villains and a plucky sidekick. The descriptive writing is superb, conjuring images of a warm land bathed in sweetly scented air that is slowly turning into a place of hardship and oppression. Book Trust

From The Book Trail: In 2010 the Jasmin revolution in Tunisia inspired Laila Koubaa to write the story of Azizi and the little blue bird. Inspired by the Arab Spring and the blue birds of Twitter… Crescent Moon – The setting of the novel is a despotic place where every household must display their pictures; free speech is stifled, and the people live in abject fear. The rulers decree that all the blue birds in the land must be captured and locked in a big cage in the courtyard of the palace. But one day, a tiny blue bird escapes and flies to Azizi’s house…. Despite his young age Mattias De Leeuw (1989) is one of the most prolific illustrators of his generation. He is a talented artist who can create a character in a few quick lines. Some reviewers call him the Flemish Quentin Blake.

Here is a list of some similes found in this book:

• as small as a pine nut in a glass of mint tea
• poppies glittering like red diamonds
• like a knight on horseback
• swift as an arrow
• like giant fireworks
• danced like palm trees
• curled like calligraphy

I wonder if this might be a book you could compare with this title from our CBCA 2024 short list which also explores the power of social media.

That Bird has Arms

General Waste by Michel Streich

When you pick up this book don't rush to open it. Spend a little time - stretch out the cover; touch the cover (it is embossed) and then stop and think about the meanings of the title. Now turn to the hectic end papers which are filled with - yes waste! Can you and your young reading companion or library group identify some of these objects - I see a toaster, clothing, toys, a hair dryer, plants, a stapler, a flower vase, a trombone, a bucket, several pots and pans, a toy dinosaur (at least I hope it's a toy), a arrow, a fish, chicken drumsticks, a spade, an electric toothbrush, a golf club, pliers, assorted cutlery, and so much more.

Turn the page to meet the man himself - General Waste. 

"He had a different toothbrush for every day of the week, six hairdryers, (and) his house was filled with a myriad of machines, power tools, widgets and contraptions. There were so many he could hardly remember what they were used for."

"Every day, General Waste took a very long shower, just for fun. He called it the 'hour of shower'."

General Waste lives on the top floor of the house - meanwhile on the bottom floor we meet Gram-Gram and she lives an opposite life.

"Gram-Gram saved every morsel of food, and she carefully stored leftovers in the fridge. She had a pantry ... filled with preserved vegetables, meats and fruits."

Gram-Gram rides her bicycle everywhere and she carefully mends her well worn clothes so they can last a lot longer.

An astute reader will know something has to happen - especially when we see the enormous pile of packaging in the yard and even more when General Waste himself is burried in all those boxes and packets. 

Luckily Gram-Gram is sensible, brave, and resourceful. She rescues the silly little man and then sets about showing him other ways of living. How to repair broken stuff, how to make new things from old stuff, how to cook, how to create, and how to grow a productive garden filled with food to share.

This book is didactic but it is also funny and wise and the illustrations are so lively. I think a class could find a lot to talk about on topics like consumerism, pollution, waste disposal, environmental action, packaging, and so on. 

Bookseller blurb: General Waste loves stuff! Wasting lots of stuff! He tosses away apples after one bite, he has hour-long showers, he must have the latest uniform fashion, and he rides around in a monster truck! He shares a house with Gram-Gram. She always saves her leftovers, does her own repairs and cycles everywhere! One day, when General Waste finds himself trapped under a mountain of his own stuff, Gram-Gram comes to the rescue ... General Waste is a hilarious tale about how to find joy in the simple things in life.

I picked up this book because I loved a precious book by Michel Streich. I also talked about The worst dog in the world.

Scary Bird

About Michel: I was born in the Westphalia region of Germany, where I grew up and studied visual communication and graphic design, specializing in illustration. After graduating, I moved to London and started my career as a freelance illustrator. Three years later, in 2000, I relocated to Australia, first basing myself in Sydney, and now in the Blue Mountains West of Sydney.

Lousy, Rotten, Stinkin' Grapes by Margie Palatini illustrated by Barry Moser

"The problem was, Fox was only so high ... and the grapes were so, so, so high. 'No matter,' said he. I am sly. Clever. smart. After all, I am a fox."

Stop and ponder a few of these words - sly, clever, smart - and also think about the arrogance of 'I am a fox.'

Fox is certain he knows how to get those delicious grapes. He refuses to listen to the other animals who, as a reader, we can see, will have a much easier and potentially successful solution to the issue of obtaining those yummy grapes. He enlists the help of Bear and climbs onto his head but alas he is too short. Along comes Beaver. 

"You stand on Bear's head ... I stand on your tail. And on the count of three - Bear gives a boost - as you give an oomph - which brings me - there - and voila! Grapes!"

Beaver has a much better plan, but Fox will not listen. He climbs the tower of Bear and Beaver, but he is still too short. Along comes Porcupine. And yes, you've guessed the pattern of a tower of animals is repeated and of course it fails and of course Porcupine did have a way better idea, but Fox did not listen. Similarly, he does not listen to Possum. 

Next to arrive is Skunk but this time Fox declares defeat. Finally, this is the scene we have all been waiting for, Possum can run up the tree; Porcupine can shoot them down with his quills; Beaver can cut them down; and Bear can simply shake the tree. 

Fox storms off in a huff declaring he won't eat those lousy, rotten, stinkin' grapes while all other the animals settle down to enjoy them - they are delicious, huge, and so juicy. 

This book was published in 2009 and so sadly it is out of print but if you can track down a second hand copy, I do recommend this book as well worth adding to your school library collection. 

Blog report by James Patterson: Unable to reach the tantalizing bunch of purple grapes high in a tree, Fox, who considers himself sly, clever, and smart, makes a plan to get them. "Hop. Skip. Jump. Flying leap. And . . . No grapes." Which is when he turns to Bear for help. Bear eyes Fox's written plan and tries to make a suggestion, but Fox cuts him of with, "Ta-ta-ta-a-ta. Bear, Bear, Bear, my dear dim buddy. Your job is brawn. Not brain. You leave the thinking to me." Fox climbs atop Bear's head, but he's still not high enough, which is why he enlists the help, in quick succession, of Beaver, Porcupine, and Possum, stacking the animals into a not-quite-high-enough tower. The dialogue is crackling and Moser's realistic watercolors are comical in Palatini's latest reworking of the well-known fable.

Review: We see both the animal’s predatory authority and his egotistical foolishness when he is shown launching himself wildly at the grapes from various absurd locations. What really seals this picture book as a bedtime choice for children ages 4-8, though, is Ms. Palatini’s lively dialogue…In the end, as in Aesop, Fox stamps away disgruntled. But in this version, the other creatures feast cheerfully on the elusive delicacy that was, for resourceful them, always within reach. Wall Street Journal

Book design - notice the purple paper on the end papers, the placement of the grapes and fox on the title page, the huge bunch of grapes on the next page, and the eyes of the animals on the cover!

Here is a 2011 blog post by Margie Palatini. I was surprised to discover a book by Margie Palatini that was illustrated by our Australian illustrator Bruce Whatley.

Here are some other books by Margie Palatini:

Barry Moser is the celebrated illustrator of nearly three hundred books for children and adults. His work can be found in the National Gallery of Art, the Metropolitan Museum, and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, among many others. Barry Moser lives in Massachusetts.

Finally here are some Aesop collections worth finding and adding to a school library. You could also just browse the non fiction shelves at [398.24].

Runt by Craig Silvey illustrated by Sara Acton

"Then for the first time Annie used her magic finger. She held it up, and Runt sat down. There was an invisible energy that seemed to connect them. It was as though a kind of electricity moved from the tip of Annie's finger to the end of Runt's snout."

"Remember, it's just like at home. Don't worry about all the sheep outside the fence. Just keep looking at me. You can do it. If we win this, we can go to London and try to pay the overdraft on the overdraft, and I could afford all the MUSH (dog food) you could ever eat."

This is a thoroughly joyous story about a girl and her wonderful dog named Runt. Life could be so good in their small Australian country town but a very, very greedy neighbour has been buying up the land and houses and he has redirected the town water into his own lake. There is a serious drought and the farmers who still live in Upson Downs are rapidly running out of hope and money.

Mum and Dad especially need money because the greedy landowner, appropriately named Earl Robert-Barren, is demanding the family pay him thousands of dollars for damage caused by their runaway sheep. 

Annie's dog Runt though,  has special talents. Annie discovers there is a competition with enormous prize money - enough money to save her family. Runt wins the agility course at the local rural show, then he wins at the National titles. The next stop is the Krumpets Dog Show in London but how will the family ever afford the plane ticket? Oh and there are two other HUGE problems. Firstly, Runt will not compete in front of an audience (the family do solve this in a very creative way). And secondly there is a serious rival - Fergus Fink. He plans to win at Krumpets and nothing will get in his way - nothing!

I usually laugh or dismiss the hyperbole often found on the back cover of books but I totally agree with these words:

"Runt is a heartwarming and hilarious tale of kindness, friendship, hurdles, hoops, tunnels, see-saws, and, above all, being yourself and bringing out the best in others."

Runt would be a terrific class read aloud book for a Grade 3 or 4 class and also a wonderful family read aloud. I almost read the whole book in one sitting and it does have 345 pages so hopefully that shows you that I thoroughly enjoyed the storytelling and twists and turns of this story. You will cheer for Annie and Runt and boo and hiss at Fergus Fink (he is a fink).  I do hope this book is selected for the CBCA Younger Readers notables in 2023.  Runt will be published in October, 2022. It would also make a wonderful present if you know an Australian family living overseas.  Huge thanks to Beachside Bookshop for my advance copy. 

Craig Silvey is the author of the adult titles - Honeybee and Jasper Jones. 

The beautiful community spirit and family unity in this book reminded me of this one:

The Stupendously Spectacular Spelling Bee

And the problem solving and the affect of drought on small rural communities reminded me of this one:

Bungawitta

Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett illustrated by Jon Klassen

"On a cold afternoon, in a cold little town, where everywhere you looked was either the white of snow or the black of soot from chimneys, Annabelle found a box filled with yarn of every colour."

Annabelle is a generous girl. She takes the wool and begins to knit. The cold people and animals become warmer. She knits coverings for things in her town and the once white landscape is filled with colour. BUT word spreads about this wondrous wool. 

"One day an archduke, who was very fond of clothes, sailed across the sea and demanded to see Annabelle."

I am not especially good at knitting but I can knit and in the past I have made some cute little items for the new babies of friends. Oddly, though, I do really like stories that incorporate knitting.  My friend from Kinderbookswitheverything as a terrific set of these on her Pinterest board called Yarn Yarns. 

I picked this book up at a recent charity book sale for just $3 and it is in mint condition and it still has the all important dust jacket!  I am still smiling weeks later. 

A delight of a picture book that references the traditional while creating something completely new and magical.  Waking Brain Cells

With its hints of magic, a nod to the timeless tales we've known and loved for years, and a traditional good-over-evil ending, this book has the makings and the feel of a modern classic. James Patterson

Marc Barnett and Jon Klassen are such a terrific team - they seem made for each other - a bit like Elton John and Bernie Taupin.

Awards for Extra Yarn:

• Winner the Zena Sutherland Award
• A New York Times Best Seller
• Kirkus Reviews Best of 2012
• Booklist Best Picture Book of 2012
• School Library Journal's Best of 2012
• A Horn Book Fanfare Selection
• An IndieBound Top 10 Kids Next List Pick
• A Junior Library Guild Selection

Here are some other books about knitting which I have explored here on this blog:

Mr Nick's Knitting

The Bush Jumper

A Friendship Yarn

Something Absolutely Enormous

Lester's Dreadful Sweaters

The Quilt Maker's Gift by Jeff Brumbeau illustrated by Gail de Marcken

Over the years the King collected thousands of gifts. Some were practical, some were mysterious and some were whimsical. But the King was not happy. He was sure there was something, some special gift, that would make him happy. Then he heard about the quilts made by an old lady who lived at the top of a mountain. He demanded that she give him a quilt. When she refused he had her captured and chained inside a cave with a huge sleeping bear. 

The old woman was as wise as she was kind. She can see the old bear needs some comfort so from her shawl and pine needles she makes him a soft pillow. The King is now enraged. He orders his soldiers to  place the old woman on a tiny island, barely big enough for her feet to stand, in the middle of the ocean. A tiny bird lands on her shoulder and she makes him a coat from a scrap of her vest. The little sparrow is so grateful he summons hundreds of his friends and they lift the old woman off the island and carry her back to the shore. 

The woman explains to the King the only way she will give him a quilt is if he gives away all of his treasures. As each treasure is gifted she will sew a new square onto his quilt. 

"I give my quilts to those who are poor or homeless ... They are not for the rich."

It takes years and years but eventually all of his treasures are given away and finally the quilt is completed. 

"As I promised you long ago,' the woman said, 'when the day came that you yourself were poor, only then would I give you a quilt.' The king's great sunny laugh made green apples fall and flowers turn his way. 'But I am not poor,' he said. 'I may look poor, but in truth my heart is full to bursting, filled with memories of all the happiness I've given and received. I'm the richest man I know."

If ever a book might inspire you to take up quilting surely this is the one! There is also a strong case for allowing readers to pull the dust jacket off this scrumptious book because hiding underneath is a list of all the treasures collected by the king as represented by quilt pattern names.

I love this rich description of the quilt colours:

"The blues seemed to come from the deepest part of the ocean, the whites from the northernmost snows, the greens and purples from the abundant wildflowers, the reds, oranges, and pinks from the most wonderful sunsets."

I have mentioned The Quilt Makers Gift in previous posts so it seemed odd that I had not talked about this book here in any detail. This is a book I have read to my library groups for many years.  I found this video of the whole book which is really well done. Here are some companion reads:

The Greatest Treasure of Charlemagne the King

The Glassmaker's daughter

The Minstrel and the Dragon Pup

The Most Wonderful Thing

Each page in The Quilt Maker's Gift begins with a small quilt image in the corner reminiscent of illuminated letters found in ancient texts.

I do like the names used for some quilting patterns:

Windblown Square

Northwind

Snail's Trail

Baby's Block

The two books with quilting instructions inspired by this picture book are long out of print but they certainly look very interesting to me (a non quilter).

There is a sequel or actually a prequel to The Quilt Maker's Gift and I will explore this is a future post. 

Shoestring the boy who walks on air by Julie Hunt illustrated by Dale Newman

An extraordinary graphic fable about a boy who inherits a dangerous musical gift, from a multi-award-winning author. Allen and Unwin

A gripping illustrated adventure about a travelling circus troupe, a future-telling macaw and a cursed pair of gloves that Shoestring must conquer once and for all. A companion to the award-winning KidGlovz. Allen and Unwin

Shoestring has joined the Troupe of Marvels. He has an amazing act using an invisible tightrope. He seems to walk on air and his performance always thrills the crowds BUT the gloves are back. These gloves are dangerous. They control and manipulate the wearer. Why are these gloves so powerful? Who is the evil Madame Adamantine? Why is she so set on revenge? And most importantly can these dreadful gloves ever be destroyed?

Here is the publisher blurb:

"Shoestring loved the sudden intake of breath when he stepped onto the rope. The upturned faces of the audience made him think of coins scattered at his feet, more coins than he had ever taken when he was a pickpocket.'

Twelve-year-old Shoestring is leaving behind his life of crime and starting a new career with the Troupe of Marvels. Their lead performer, he has an invisible tightrope and an act to die for. But trouble is brewing - the magical gloves that caused so much turmoil for KidGlovz are back.

When he's wearing the gloves, the world is at Shoestring's fingertips. It's so easy to help himself to whatever he likes - even other people's hopes and dreams. But when he steals his best friend's mind, he's at risk of losing all he values most."

I think the most inventive part of this story for me came when Julie Hunt revealed the source of the thread used to make the gloves.  The friends journey to a remote place called Spindle Reach. It is located beyond the town of Loom.  (I love those names). The troupe meet three ladies Peg, Fray and Twill. They tell the group they need to talk to Braid. Things have gone terribly wrong in their world and all of the threads are breaking. There can be no new cloth. Madame Adamantine has caused all this:

"I knew I could make that thread. When I plucked a silver hair from the old woman's head and plied with the coloured rays. But as soon as the job was finished I wished I hadn't done it. I don't know why the woman wanted the thread but it can't have been for any good purpose, because since then no thread will hold. Even the spider's webs break."

Here is the book trailer.  You can see some of the amazing art in this book by Dale Newman. If you loved Wonderstruck and The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick you will really appreciate the wonderful black and white pencil art in Shoestring the boy who walks on air. 

Parts of this story reminded me of Holes by Louis Sacher and also the betrayal and powerful friendships echoed another book I read very recently - Skycircus by Peter Bunzl.

Julie Hunt’s storytelling is captivating; she creates dark-edged adventures with echoes of folklore. A colourful cast of characters and a vivid setting transport the reader into a world of circus, music and magic. Books and Publishing

I thoroughly enjoyed Shoestring the boy who walks on air. Julie Hunt has an amazing imagination and her descriptions of place are so vivid. I made this same comment previously when I talked about her book Shine Mountain. Shoestring the boy who walks on air can stand alone but I think your reading experience will be more rewarding and far richer if you try to read the earlier volume KidGlovz first.

You can read the background to each story on Julie's web site:
Background to KidGlovz
Background to Shoestring the boy who walks on air

I then recommend you go back and read The Coat which inspired Julie to think further about these sinister gloves.