The Little Island
Picture Storybooks
There was once a farm where all the animals were friends. Together they looked after the farm and each other. It wasn’t perfect and they didn’t always agree (animals almost never do). But they liked it. One day the geese begin to gossip. Before long they hatch a plan to leave the farm. Will life be perfect now?
A powerful modern-day fable for our times told with humour and warmth, and most importantly, hope.
A story of building bridges not barriers, respect not resentment and of finding friendship, not fear.
Creators
Smriti Prasadam-Halls is an award-winning, internationally bestselling British author whose books for children include I LOVE YOU NIGHT AND DAY (Publisher’s Weekly #1bestseller, Wall Street Journal bestseller), THE WAYS OF THE WOLF (English Association Non-Fiction Winner) and DON’T C ALL ME SWEET (Booktrust Treasure Pack). Smriti worked for the BBC and across children’s publishing and television for twelve years, as a writer and commissioning editor. She began writing books of her own in 2012 and is now published in more than 25 languages worldwide. Smriti lives and works in London with her husband and three sons.
Rob Starling began doodling creatures and characters at school and hasn't stopped since. He lives and works in Norwich, and when he's not sketching up new characters or writing down stories he can be found sculpting, brewing coffee, adjusting his headphones or foraging in the kitchen for cake. Oh, and teaching kids. Fergal is Fuming, which was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Book Award, was his first book.
Reviews
The Little Island eloquently illustrates the pitfalls of isolation… Clear, comic and ending on a hopeful note, it’s a helpful book for discussing Brexit with young children.
Guardian
Animal Farm for our times…This book, with its hopeful ending, is a little island of sanity in the rising tide of insanity around us. I hope it will have many readers and start many conversations… hopefully before all the bridges are torn down completely.
‘There is humour and warmth, and the bright illustrations will really appeal to even the youngest readers. The message here is that compassion for others and strength in togetherness is what makes us thrive. The Little Island may raise as many questions as it answers, but that’s precisely why global ideas should be introduced to children at such a young age.
Book Trust, Books We Love
I love it. This is a great way to try to explain our current political situation to little kids… the overall message is hope and the power of togetherness which is a lesson that many adults could do with hearing.
This bright, cheerful picture book – an engaging story – will certainly provide a basis encouraging even very young children to think about the world we live in today as well as becoming a favourite at story times. Excellent.
Books for Keeps
