Allen and Unwin ISBN 9781911631514 £12.99
A sensitive book showing a young child saying farewell to all the fun activities she has enjoyed in his country home. She says goodbye to each room and changes the writing on the wall from “Emma lives here” to “Emma lived here”. Then she travels to her new house in the city where she finds a range of new activities to try and new rooms to enjoy. She changes the writing on the wall from “Kim lives here” to “Emma lives here now.” The reader shares Emma’s sense of loss and discovery. Interesting illustrations combine black and white line drawings and coloured backgrounds and are a crucial part of the book. The child’s body language and facial expressions convey many of the emotions such as regret, uncertainty and excitement. Change can be unsettling and this book provides opportunities for discussion and reflection. Highly recommended for age 2 – 6.
Brenda Marshall