Ghostlines by Katya Balen

Blurb: On the Island of Ayrie, everybody knows everyone. They know each other's stories as they know every road, every hill and the coming of the tide. In the summer, there are bonfires to celebrate the migration of the puffins. Everything is familiar, nothing much changes, and for Tilda, nothing ever should – it is beautiful, it is perfect and it is home. When newcomer Albie arrives at the island, Tilda wants to show Ayrie off – Albie wants her to leave him alone. She learns quickly that it'll take more than a tour and some seal viewings to win him around. Then, she remembers stories of the old island just an hour's boat ride away from the shore. The old island is a death trap. The journey there is treacherous. Trips across to it are strictly forbidden. And there's a rumour it's haunted by the ghosts of those left there to die. But with all else having failed, the old island is the only way for Tilda to make Albie see what she sees in Ayrie. Besides, it's a different kind of ghost that worries Tilda. The ghost that's been following her, now, since her brother left the island …

Beautifully written, this story is about family and belonging and community. It explores how you can feel lonely as a newcomer in a place with friendship networks already established. And how tough it is to accept that some things change, even when you don’t want them to. Book Trust

The island of Ayrie might be fictional but it feels as real as the book in your hands. Main character Tilda adores her island home and life there, even if everyone knows everyone and no one knocks when entering other islanders homes. What book Next

Recommended for young readers (aged 10+) who enjoy thoughtful, lyrical writing set in the great outdoors. Reading Time

"Ghostlines is an adventure story about family, friendship, belonging and community. Balen weaves humour through this first person, present tense story. Her original figurative language and use of italics for direct dialogue, immerse the reader into Tilda's perspective." Magpies Magazine March 2025

Readers aged 10+ who enjoy atmospheric stories with touches of mystery and the possibility of ghosts along with kids who put themselves into dangerous situations will enjoy Ghostlines.

"The sea is starting to shift itself and the light is fading. The story is looming and taking in a deep breath before it huffs and blows and shrieks its wild self across the islands."

Listen to an audio sample here - great Scottish accent used for the narrator. Here is a Q&A with the author and Good Reading Magazine. 

I do like the alternate cover:

I do enjoy stories set on islands (this setting feels little like Fair Isle) and of course I am crazy and puffins but, in some ways, even though this story was engrossing, the resolution sort of let me down. I cannot explain why because that would be a massive spoiler. I guess I had especially high expectations because I really enjoyed her previous books October October (four stars from me and the 2022 winner of Yoto Carnegie Medal) and Foxlight (five stars from me). Having said this book was not as good as I expected I will say Katya Balen does give her reader a strong sense of foreboding. At every turn I expected something terrible or life threatening to happen - and this kind of writing does keep you on the 'edge of your seat'.

Companion books to read after Ghostlines:

Giraffe Island

How to sail to Somewhere

Jubilee

Atlantic Puffin: Little Brother of the North by Kristin Bieber Domm illustrated by Jeffrey C Domm

 

"I am an Atlantic puffin. 

My scientific name,

Fratercula arctica, means

little brother of the north."

Fishermen call this little bird a sea parrot and others use the term clown of the ocean.

I love the way the facts about puffins are woven into this book using a narrative form. For example puffins rub their beaks - this is called beaking. 

"As soon as we see each other again we rub and clack our beaks together to say hello."

Image source: Flamborough Bird Observatory

When I read Puffling to groups of children in my library I talk about the way the parent puffins fly away and leave their young one - the puffling - alone for a few days until late at night he or she finally jumps off the edge of the cliff into the ocean. 

I saw Atlantic Puffin: Little Brother of the North book at a recent charity book sale. You probably already know I am slightly crazy about puffins. I even travelled from Australia to Shetland, Orkney and Fair Isle to see real puffins. I say real puffins because when I first read our Australian picture book Puffling I thought these little guys were invented and of course I mostly associated them with the publisher of Puffin Books. 

The Atlantic Puffin is the official bird of Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada. When this book was published in 2005 the end notes say Atlantic puffins were not endangered. I imagine this is a different story now. 

Bookseller blurb: The Atlantic Puffin is a familiar symbol of the Atlantic region, earning it the nickname Little Brother of the North. This wonderful story is told from the point of view of a puffin, drawing the reader effortlessly into the natural habitat of a puffin’s world. Accompanied with beautiful illustrations, Atlantic Puffin details habitat, breeding cycles, eating and nesting habits, and more, about the life of this fascinating animal. Artistically rendered, carefully researched, this latest installment from the popular writing and illustrating team of Kristin and Jeff Domm will delight any child or adult who seeks to learn more about the treasured Atlantic Puffin.

The informational content flows seamlessly from one page to the next, discussing the bird’s behaviour and habitat. The descriptions are refreshing and pleasing to the ear. For example, the puffin narrator states, “I feel snazzy in the spring when my webbed feet and beak turn bright orange.” The story leads readers through the life cycle of a puffin. Interesting facts are woven into the text, such as “Can you believe I sometimes carry twenty fish in my beak at once?” The evocative story will certainly heighten interest in this little-known bird. Quill and Quire

Take a look at my previous post about puffins.

Puffin facts:

• There are four species of puffins.
• Sixty percent of the world’s puffins breed in Iceland.
• A puffin’s beak (or bill) changes colour during the year.
• Puffins spend most of their lives out at sea, resting on the waves when not swimming.
• Puffins are carnivores and live off small fish such as herring, hake and sand eels.
• Puffins mate for life.
• Puffins don’t make nests, they dig holes. 
• The female puffin only lays one egg each spring.
• Puffins live a long life of around twenty years.
• The puffin is a poor flier but an excellent swimmer. 
• If you want to give your class a great laugh use this site to hear sounds of puffins.

Places where you can see puffins in the United Kingdom between March and July:

Scotland

– St Kilda

– Craigleith Island

– Isle of May National Nature Reserve

– Orkney Islands

– John O’Groats (surrounding coastline)

– Cape Wrath

– Fair Isle

– Shetland Islands

– Staffa Island

– Inner Hebrides

Wales

– Skomer Island, Pembrokeshire

– Skokholm Island

– South Stack, Anglesey

England

– The Farne Islands, Northumberland

– Coquet Island, Northumberland

– Bempton Cliffs, North Yorkshire

– South Stack, Anglesey

Channel Islands

– Burhou, Channel Islands

– Herm (east/south coast)

Northern Ireland

– Rathlin Island, Northern Ireland

Ireland

– Great Saltee

– Cliffs of Moher, County Clare

– Horn Head, County Donegal

– Puffin Island, County Kerry

Baby on Board by Allan Ahlberg illustrated by Emma Chichester Clark

 

All of the children head to the beach with the baby in a pram and sandwiches, lemonade, a kite, friends and a dog or two. It is a joyous sunny day. The children play with each other and with the baby and everyone enjoys their lunch but when the kite string breaks, all of the children run to catch it, and the baby is left behind in his pram with only his toys for company. The pram has been left close to the shore. The tide rolls in. 

" ... then quite soon, the waves and wind got larger and louder and turned into a storm. The baby frowned and clutched his special bit of flannel and sucked his thumb."

The pram is swept out to sea but luckily his toy friends are there to help with a banana, some juice in his special cup and a game of peepo! Then a puffin spots the pram and this delights the baby but panda is swept overboard all the toys have to perform an heroic rescue. The drama continues when a huge fish grabs hold of a rope tied to the pram but fortunately the rope breaks. Meanwhile I kept wondering about the children and parents back at home who surely are searching frantically for their lost brother.

With all the toys back on the pram, and danger a thing of the past, the pram drifts on.

"Night, and a scatter of silver stars and a sliver of moon and a dazzling, swinging beam of light from the lighthouse. Up onto the silent beach came the pram. Only then half out of the water it ground to a halt and would not budge."

Now the toys spring into action rushing home to gather all their toy friends to help pull the pram to safety on the beach and eventually all the humans arrive to claim their son and brother.

I love the final scene in this book (a little like something out of the Toy Story movie) where you can see panda, rabbit and doll sharing the story of their ocean adventure with all the other toys in the playroom.

Stunning artwork by Emma Chichester Clark – love the 1930s pram and children’s attire –  transforms Allan Ahlberg’s super story into a super, super story. It’s perfect as a bedtime book, or equally as a shared read at any time of the day. Red Reading Hub

I talked about Allan Ahlberg yesterday because he has just had a birthday. I love the way so many of his books are illustrated by famous people such as this one by Emma Chichester Clark.  I am a huge fan of her work especially the Blue Kangaroo series and The Minstrel and the Dragon Pup. Baby on Board is a newish book published in 2019 and it is a gem.

It would be fun to read this alongside a much older book by Allan Ahlberg illustrated by his late wife Janet - Bye Bye baby.

You will also want to pick up the famous book by Allan Ahlberg - Peepo.

This book also reminded me of these:

Ruby and Little Joe

Poppy's House by Karla Courtney illustrated by Madeline Kloepper

 

Our young storyteller spends time with her grandfather - her Poppy. He lives on an island and he is busy.

"He chops the wood, he picks the cloudberries, he catches the fish and he watches his world float by as he sits in front of a huge supper plate of salt beef and pease pudding."

His grand daughter helps with the daily chores.

"Every morning we have bread from the oven for breakfast. Then we make sure the house is just right. We tidy the kitchen, dig up the potatoes, and water the garden. When our chores are done, we get to explore the island together, counting our favourite things."

At this point your young reading companion is sure to join in counting fish, tracks, stones and waves. When the visit is over they are both sad but they know the little girl will return again and again. 

"And (then) we count the days until we are together again."

This story is a gentle exploration of island life and it celebrates slowing down and spending time outdoors with a loved family member.

The details may not be familiar to all readers, but the strong feelings of love and companionship will resonate. The earth-toned illustrations, rendered in colored pencil and gouache and finished digitally, are a fitting match for the flora and fauna depicted. Kirkus

Bookseller blurb: In a picture book as cosy as wool socks and as sweeping as a lighthouse beam, a little girl takes a ferry to an island to spend time with her Poppy. After fresh-baked bread for breakfast, the two tidy up, garden, and set out to explore together. They pass docks and green hills specked with puffins, counting their favourite things along the way: masts, animal tracks, silvery waves. At the end of each day, they snuggle on Poppy’s worn velvet armchair to read by lantern light. When it’s time to travel home, the little girl begins counting the days until she and Poppy will be together again. A patchwork of exquisitely patterned and textured art evokes a traditional quilt in this ode to coastal Canada and to the days spent with an attentive, caring older person.

One of our large bookshops here in Sydney - Dymocks - have set out tables full of sale books. I think their criteria might be books from 2022 and earlier which seems a little sad as a 2022 book is not old! Anyway this book - Poppy's House was published in 2022 and the retail price was $30 but my copy was discounted to $20. I also picked up a copy of Gooney Bird Green for just $5.

If you want to talk about excellence in book design with a class of older students or with aspiring authors and illustrator this book is one you could use. It has a dust jacket and when this is removed there is a different image underneath. The end papers anticipate the story as well as being a colourful and inviting invitation to read the story. 

Oh and I do need to mention there are puffins on the book cover and on the end papers and if you have read this blog previously you will know I adore puffins (and lighthouses). I also love Canadian picture books and Karla Courtney is from Toronto but spent her summers in Newfoundland so this book is based on her own childhood and Madeline Kloepper lives in British Columbia. She is the illustrator of The Keeper of Wild Words.  See more pages inside this book here. 

I need to find this book also illustrated by Madeline Kloepper.

Puffin by Martin Jenkins illustrated by Jenni Desmond

Publisher blurb: Everyone recognises the puffin, with its black and white feathers and brightly colored bill. But how does the puffin live? What happens down in its burrow? And how do the male and female share the task of feeding and caring for their young? Discover the intriguing world of this charming bird in a collaboration that pairs Martin Jenkins’s engaging, informative text with the warm energy of Jenni Desmond’s illustrations. Filled with interesting facts, this delightful introduction to the puffin offers young ornithologists more details in the back matter.

This book is from the Nature Storybook series (previously called Read and Wonder) from Walker Books. Some are produced here in Australia, while others, like this one from the UK. This book was a gift for my birthday last week - an utterly perfect present for a huge puffin fan like me!

My journey into the world of puffins began with Puffling. I actually thought puffins were 'made-up'. Of course I knew the famous book company Puffin Books (part of Penguin). Once I discovered puffins were real I set about investigating a way to see them. In 2015 I travelled to Orkney, Shetland and Fair Isle and YES because I went at the right time of year (May) I saw so many puffins and I was able to take hundreds of photos too.

Here are a few puffin facts:

• There are three kinds of puffins - Crested Puffin; Horned Puffin and Atlantic Puffin
• You can find puffins in the northern hemisphere - Greenland; Newfoundland; the northern coasts of Europe and even as far south as Maine in the US.
• Puffins show affection by rubbing their beaks together - this is called beaking
• Their favourite food is sand eels
• A baby puffin is called a puffling
• Puffins spend most of their lives out at sea 
• Their beak changes from grey to bright orange in Spring
• If you feel like a laugh listen to some puffins (this used to make my students roar with laughter)

About the author: Martin Jenkins was born in Surrey in 1959 but grew up in Spain, Ireland and Kent. Martin became involved with children’s books when he was asked to advise on Walker Books’ Animals at Risk series. Since then he has written several titles, including Emperor's Egg, winner of the Times Junior Information Book of the Year Award and Fly Traps! Plants that Bite Back, which was shortlisted for the same award. He has also retold Gulliver's Travels, winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal and Don Quixote.

About the illustrator: Jenni Desmond is a picture book maker based in Hackney, London UK.  In 2016 she was made a Maurice Sendak Fellow and her book The Polar Bear won a prestigious New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Books award. Her books have been translated into over 20 languages. She has a passion for books and believes that picture books are essential for nurturing young imaginations.  Jenni does not think picture books should be limited to children, and hopes her own books will also appeal to older people with youthful minds. Jenni works by hand using mixed media and finishes her artwork digitally.  

The Zebra who ran too Fast

On the Night of the Shooting Star

The Puffin Keeper by Michael Morpurgo illustrated by Benji Davies

This book contains two of my favourite things - lighthouses and puffins. When you pick up this book begin by feeling the texture of the dust jacket. Now lift off the dust jacket because underneath is a beautiful surprise on the front and when you flip the book the image continues onto the back cover. 

Benjamin Postlethwaite is the lighthouse keeper. I adore that name so I am going to say it again. Benjamin Postlethwaite lives in his lighthouse on Puffin Island. 

"Not once in all his years as the lighthouse keeper had he ever let his light go out. All the sailors and seafarers that sailed or steamed past the lighthouse in the fog would hear his horn sounding, see his light guiding them through, and be grateful for it."

One stormy night, though, a four-masted schooner named the Pelican was driven on to the rocks just off the Scilly Isles. 

"That night Benjamin Postlethwaite saved thirty lives, men, women and children."

One of the children was Allen Williams. The Puffin Keeper is the story of Allen and his memory of the night he and the others were rescued, his memory of being inside the lighthouse, and his memory of the lighthouse keeper.

On the walls of the lighthouse Allen saw dozens of paintings. Painting of boats in all shapes and sizes. And each painting was simply signed Ben. As Allen leaves the island and the lighthouse Benjamin Postlethwaite gifts him a small picture of a four-masted schooner just like the one he had been travelling on.  This painting becomes a treasured possession and inspires Allen to try painting himself. When he finishes school Allen sets off to revisit the lighthouse. He and his mother had sent lots of letters to Benjamin over the years but sadly he never replied.

"He fetched down a shoebox from a shelf ... I opened it. It was full of letters. I took one out. It was one of the letters I had written to him, with a painted envelope. It turned out all the letters in the box were the ones I had written to him ... Not one of them had been opened. He told me why. 'I can't read,' he said. 'Never had no schooling. ... I knew they came from you, because of the ship picture on the envelope. But I couldn't read them."

The day Allen arrives, Benjamin has had two visitors. The other is a tiny lost puffin. The island with the lighthouse is called Puffin Island but no puffins have been seen there for years but this is about to change.

I loved this book. I read the whole thing in one sitting. The story by Michael Morpurgo feels like you are drinking a cup of tea and eating warm toast with heaps of butter and the illustrations by Benji Davies are utterly perfect.

Listen to an audio sample here.  Here are a set of comprehensive teaching ideas. Spoiler alert - this book is actually written to celebrate Allen Williams Lane the man who founded Penguin Books in 1935 and from Penguin books we have Puffin Books too. The first four Puffin Books were published in 1940. 

A book to have, to hold, to share and, to treasure. RedReadingHub

Sometimes, fate seems to bring us to certain places and people, and this heart-warming story of a lost puffin, a lonely artist and a life-changing friendship is a real testament to Morpurgo’s talent for capturing those pivotal moments in people’s lives where everything changes. Book Trust

The Sea Swallow and the Humpback Whale by Catherine Barr and Gerry Turley

Begin with the scrumptious end papers - birds flying across the page at the front and a majestic whale with her calf at the back. In this illustrated non fiction book you will read about the journey of the humpback whale and the arctic tern. The whale travels 5000km or 10,000km for the round trip and then in the warmer waters she gives birth to her calf. But the Tern flies even further - "in her lifetime, the Arctic tern will travel the distance of three trips to the moon and back!"

On the final pages you can see a map of their journeys.

Recently a teaching colleague asked me to suggest books about animal migration for her Grade 2 classes to read alongside Circle by Jeannie Baker.  In a serendipitous moment I saw this book at another school library this week - perfect!

Here are some text examples which show the lyricism of this writing:

"A polar bear turns his shaggy white head to look up."

"The ragged silhouette of a whale's tail disappeared below the sea's surface."

"Thrown sideways by fierce, icy gusts, the tiny bird struggles to lift herself out of danger. She swoops and sinks in the sky, flying perilously close to the waves."

The Sea Swallow and the Humpback Whale is an essential purchase for Primary school libraries. It is beautifully designed and available for a reasonable price.  Take a look here to see art by UK illustrator Gerry Turley. His partner is the illustrator of the How to hide a Lion series.

Catherine Barr has a new book due for publication in May, 2021.  

Puffins

Ever since Puffling was short listed for the CBCA awards in 2009 and then was selected as the early Childhood picture book I have been fascinated by this little clown of the sea.  In a couple of weeks I will have the very special opportunity to see some puffins first hand.  This week we have been reading Puffling by Margaret Wild illustrated by Julie Vivas to our Kindergarten classes.  You can guess I have a huge smile on my face.  Picture above is from the National Geographic site.

Puffling is just such a perfect book. The illustrations are joyous, whimsical and at the same time seem very accurate.  The pattern of the story is just so satisfying.  Puffling asks Big Stripy Beak and Long Back Feather Am I strong enough, am I tall enough, am I brave enough?  Just like a young child - his development will take time and nurture.  Mum and dad diligently bring delicious fish and sand eels to their little baby and gradually he grows stronger, taller and braver until the day comes when he can leave the burrow to fend for himself.  I love the way mum and dad check his bravery by listening to his heart.  The Kindergarten children have all loved the idea of Puffling when "he popped his head out of the burrow.  He stuck one leg out of the burrow. He waggled his bottom at the scary gulls, watching and waiting.  But he remembered never to go right out of the burrow"

Here are a set of teaching notes for Puffling.

We have several books about puffins in our library.  You can see their covers below.  Nothing like a puffin is a gentle book that introduces very young children to some basic puffin facts - they can fly, they are black and white, they can swim and they are birds so they hatch from eggs.   Puffin Peter is for an even younger audience and has exquisite illustrations.  This book follows a similar pattern as Peter is lost at sea and enlists the help of a whale to help him find his friend Paul.  Together they work out puffins are funny and noisy and black and white with colourful beaks.  They are not parrots, or toucans or penguins - they are puffins!

Every day Puffling asks his caregivers to assess his progress, which will ring true with young readers eager themselves to finally be strong, tall and brave enough.