Barrington Stoke ISBN 9781781125229 £10.99
If, like me, you are an admirer of Jackie Morris’s beautifully evocative work, then you will not be disappointed by this latest offering. If she is a new name for you, then just a simple online search for images of her many book-covers will surely be enough to draw you in. Once inside, you will be happy indeed. For Jackie Morris has the talent to combine rich, heart-warming, atmospheric illustrations with carefully crafted text that draws you in to her magical tales. This title, published by Barrington Stoke whose books can be enjoyed by all, but they specialise in quality texts for less able readers, is a joy. The size and shape feel good to handle; there is a ribbon page marker. The book, with its beautiful arctic fox on the cover, has you in its grip before you even open it. The story tells of such a fox, found on the dockyards of Seattle far from its true Arctic home, and how it becomes enmeshed with 12 year-old Sol and his father. Sol is not a happy child and his father seems distant from him, coping with work, caring alone for his son since his wife died. Like the fox, they belong in the far north and happily circumstances conspire to take them back where they belong. This is a tenderly told tale, evoking spirituality, family values and a close relationship with the wild. We quickly feel we know much of the key characters, finding it easy to empathise with them and hoping they will find their true place in the world. There is much to talk about in this slim volume – it is a book to cherish. Age range 8 – 12.
Pam Dowson, retired primary teacher and PGCE tutor
