ISBN-13: 9781783449095
RRP: £12.99
Published: 3rd October 2019
Length: 32 Pages
Nominated for the 2021 CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal
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.
'A helpful book for discussing Brexit with young children' GUARDIAN
"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."Axel Scheffler, illustrator of The Gruffalo
"An allegory with a 'better together' theme . . . all with humorous expressions by illustrator Robert Starling"Sunday Times, Best Children's Books of 2019
"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
"An allegory laced with humour, packed with all too recognisable observations, and alarming hypothesis that ring resoundingly in the ears and hearts of readers young and old."CLPE, Staff Picks 2019