This is one my all time favourite picture books.
And that really says something because as I’ve said before I’m not the greatest fan of entirely word-less books.

I remember being given this to read on my interview day for uni, at a storytelling taster session. It was that session and this book that was a key point in helping me choose the university I’m now at.

The story is everything I could ever want in a book. It’s full of fantasy, adventure, daring rescues and quick escapes, empathy, loneliness and friendship.

The illustrations are beyond beautiful, and don’t leave too much for the imagination, but add enough detail to make the imagination go /further/. The castle for example is so ornate and beautifully constructed, it would be impossible for the reader not to try and imagine who lives their and what the city is for?

The morals and empathetic base of the story is a perfect children’s tale: the main character fleeing to a magical world, getting into some kind of trouble, a daring escape, and a friendship being formed.

With regard to teaching, it has endless use. From creative writing and story comprehension, to science, and pshe.