Reuniting former Waterstones Book of the Year winner Maggie O'Farrell with gifted illustrator Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini, this enchanting picture book tells the powerful story of a boy struggling in a new town and the mischievous, volcano-dwelling creature that may - or may not - be causing mayhem in the community.
Longlisted for the Yoto Carnegie Medal for Illustration 2024
The Guardian Best Children's Books of 2022
The new children's book from multi-award-winning author of Hamnet, Maggie O'Farrell, paired once more with Daniela Terrazzini's stunning illustrations.
When Jem and his family first move to a small town, he struggles with his new life. The unhappier he grows, the stranger things become ... mischief and chaos seems to bloom everywhere. His sister Verity is sure it is the work of a "nouka", an ancient creature that lives deep down inside the hill; a creature forged from the sparks of a long-extinct volcano. Jem is adamant - there is no such thing. But it is through the magic and mayhem of this small mystical creature that Jem finally finds a sense of belonging, a sense of home. He, once more, discovers a spark of magic.
A beautiful and atmospheric long-form picture book set against a dramatic backdrop of an ancient hillside and the mysterious mood-affecting creature that lives within...
Publisher: Walker Books Ltd
ISBN: 9781406392012
Number of pages: 112
Weight: 285 g
Dimensions: 260 x 200 x 4 mm
"an autumnal balm for anyone in need of a little magic in their lives." - Alex O'Connell, children's book of the week, the Times
"Expert storytelling conjures up an unhappy boy whose little sister believes in naughty magical creatures. It suggests that a bit of wild behaviour can be cheering.” - ‘Watch Out For’ for children’s fiction in the Sunday Times
Traditional in its style, this beautiful book will tug at the heart of any reader regardless of age. […] No one would be unhappy after seeing the stunning illustrations that accompany this extraordinary story. - Sunday Times, “The 60 children’s books you should buy this Christmas as chosen by the booksellers of Ireland”
a tender story […] Jaglenka Terrazzini’s illustrations sit at the book’s intersection of mythical intrigue and emotional turmoil. - ‘The next chapter in children’s picture books’, Financial Times
"A gentle, empowering tale with entrancing illustrations.” - Daily Mail
I adored this so much - after feeling like I'd lost my own spark, it felt like such a treat to read O'Farrell's writing and fall in love with magic again. The illustrations throughout are beautiful, and... More
It is a very beautiful book, and perfect for all ages - either as reading it up as a bedtime story or reading for ourselves - with such a wonderful illustrations! It deals it significant topics of life: how to deal... More
Maggie O'Farrell has a certain place on myself and when I heard she did a children's book, I ran to get it. This... loving and enthralling story is the reminder that some people need when they have lost... More
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