Spirit of Hope by Bob Graham

When you read a book by Bob Graham it is so important to slow down and notice all the tiny details and also you should plan to re-read each book several times because I am certain you will make new discoveries.

On the half title page of Spirit of Hope there is a tiny toy Noah's ark sitting on a Noah's ark storybook. On the title page we see an industrial scene with one huge factory spewing black smoke and a road filled with various trucks. Zoom in closer and there is also a tiny house with a yellow roof. Turn the page and we move closer to the scene. People, including the Fairweather family, are crossing a bridge across the highway walking with dad to the factory gate. It is dirty work so:

"Six nights a week Dad returned from work. The welcome he received was second to none. Each night he made the journey to the bathroom on his hands and knees. ... Dad washed off the oil from the factory. He scrubbed his nails, ten little black crescent moons in a sea of foam."

Once Dad is clean the games can begin - sailing the high seas on their kitchen table boat with a different child captain each night - Lily or Cecily or Micky or Duggy or Sammy or Mary. Along with Jock the dog, Bumper and Thumper, and Trevor the tortoise."

The Fairweathers have a happy life and weekly delicious picnics down on the dock until ... there is a knock at the door and they are told they have to move. 

Bob Graham often includes rainbows in his stories.

It seems impossible to find a new house until ... Mum sees the toy Mary has been holding. Remember that toy Noah's ark - perhaps their little house can be like a boat and move to a new location. 

The ship at the dock is called Spirit of Hope and mum says "We must not despair.  We must keep up a Spirit of Hope."

If you are in the US there have been minor changes to the text of Spirit of Hope - ginger beer at the picnic is now root beer for example. 

Companion book:

I have been re-reading my collection of books by Bob Graham. I own around 40 of his titles - I have a short list of books still to collect such as Zoltan the Magnificent; The Trouble with Dogs; Ellie's Dragon; Vanilla Ice Cream and The Posey Ring. Spirit of Hope was published in 1993 but I have no memory of reading it to students in my school library. I loved exploring it for this post. 

With Bob Graham books you should look for light and shade and spotlighting; zooming in and zooming out; foreshadowing; cozy rooms filled with shelves of books and soft chairs; families reading books together; clocks and calendars (the one in this book has a lighthouse picture); pets like the rabbits we met in The Wild; scattered toys; and family love.