Description: "Nook is small and shy, and she likes to sit in the cozy, comfy space of a hollow tree watching others play. When someone comes along to take Nook's space, she feels lost and afraid, until she discovers she has friends looking out for her in ways she never imagined. This gentle story explores shyness and sensory needs, and inspires kindness, inclusion, and friendship"--
Brief description: Sally Anne Garland grew up in a small town called Alness in the Highlands of Scotland. According to her parents, her first really good drawing, at the age of four, was a large mural in crayon on the sitting-room wall. She went on to study Illustration and Graphic Design at Edinburgh College of Art before settling in Glasgow, where she lives with her partner and their son. When she's not drawing or writing stories, she has fun reading books, watching movies, and going on walks.
Review Quotes:
Sensitivity. Friendship. Diversity.
This is lovely story, sensitively written, outlining the preferences of Nook, who amongst a diverse group of animals is the 'quiet' one with special sensory needs. Beautifully told, we learn how through the acceptance and support of her peers - in the face of unkind opposition by another - Nook is encouraged to trust them enough to develop confidence and move forward. This is a clever book which will help diversity understanding amongst children, where the received wisdom is often for the sensitive, gentle child to "toughen up", whereas what is needed is for the others to "soften down". In this context, it feels very wise for Garland to have left the continuing story of the unkind character unwritten. Garland omits emotionally loaded vocabulary ("friend" or "enemy"), choosing 'the others' to refer to Nook's peers, gently guiding readers through a highly complex life experience. The illustrations are fabulous and bring the whole content to life; this book is a gift for early years and key stage 1 classrooms.
Stephanie Barclay