- Read to in seminar by other students.

I really didn't get on with this story at all. I could appreciate the backstory and context of the plot, but I feel like even that saving grace could be easily lost on children, its target audience.

I have read other works by Mini Grey and I can say for sure that this is definitely not a favourite.

Based on a the original poem written for a newspaper article about a specific incident with child refugees I 2016, the illustrations and break down of this book is a perfect way to help children understand, through the eyes of another child, how it might feel to lose everything.

Though on a first read the story may seem simple, this book would make a perfect discussion piece of poetic techniques such as repetition (the repetition of the school subjects for example), similes and metaphors, describing language (such as the difficult terrains the character had to get across) and use of speech.

It could also be used as a starter for an art project, as the illustrations are simple, emotive and inspiring.

I have such mixed feelings about this book!

I really enjoyed it... I loved the artistic style of each of the short stories; their page layouts, their creativity, their flow. I loved the writing style too. The stories gripped me and easily kept me reading. I would love to read a full novel in this style. I might have to look up if Tan has any.

But I also feel almost empty after finishing it. And I can't tell if that is an creative exhaustion, a deflation from not enjoying it as much as I would hope, or a sadness that it has ended. Either way I would definitely recommend and the selection of stories could easily be used in the classroom setting, I'm just not sure what I personally have taken from it. Hmm.

A seemingly simple Cinderella type story set in the time of the Wild West with some heavy themes and surprising twists. I really enjoyed the turns this book took me down and the amount of second guessing I had to do... but that ending! I'm so sick and tired of endings that make me want to throw the book against a wall!

The story was good, the progression perfect, the characters easy to like and empathise with... BUT THAT ENDING!

Along the journey of the story I must have gone through every emotion from love to pity to hatred to anger to glee and then back to anger again. I would definitely recommend as a story for teens rather than older children:

CW: ~ as the story does contain some implied sexual assault and abuse, though no explicitly described scenes ~

The particular copy that I picked up was designed specifically to assist those with dyslexia or who find reading a challenge. I have come to realise I actually greatly appreciate this kind of layout even though I do not have any kind of reading challenges, and am happy to find so many readily available and accessible copies in my local library.

Recommended as a reading piece following a lecture on the concept of Dialogic teaching.

I find the entire concept of this kind of teaching intensely interesting, as for me it seems to almost be stripping back teaching into an more informal discussion piece, with the teacher in the role of coordinator and Chair. A concept I empathise with.

I personally agree with the use of the concept in classroom, but would be interested in finding further outcomes of the research being conducted at the time of the books publishing.

I did find the book itself a little tedious. It lost me just over about half way through and then caught be back again as it become to summarise the most important parts of its messages and research.

I would definitely recommend every teaching student to at the very least have a look at part 3 as an insight to the theory's intentions which then may encourage further research.

- Read by peers during presentation in lecture -

I really enjoyed this book and might have to pick it up again for a deeper look at the illustrations. I've discovered a kind of love-hate relationship for Shaun Tan, although I don't think hate is the right word. It's more of a confusion. Some of his work, words and art, hits me straight away with a deep and emotive understanding, whilst other parts, no matter how long I look or how many views I consider it from, still just don't make sense.

I suppose this is a good thing though as it is likely, from a teachers point of view, that every child will have something they attach themselves to. And all probably just as different and individual as their view of their world.

In this book specifically I love the levels of understanding and involvement there are for children. From this you could have a very meaningful discussion about sadness and mental health, or a simple discussion about feeling sad whilst looking out for the leaf on each page.

A simple and heartwarming representation of finding beauty in unexpected places, and putting value on small things that others may not.

I love the choice of diggers for these characters; especially the usual connotations of this being a 'boy book' because of it, yet focusing on softness and emotions.

I love the illustration choices: the shapes made to build up the characters, the shading and the textures used to create the environment.

An 'unimaginary' creature waits for a child to imagine him into existence, and takes it upon himself to find a child instead.

The illustrations of this book as the selling point to me. The story is very /very/ simple and doesn't really evoke much in the way of emotional or moral plot, but the artwork and choices of colour make this book an work I would definitely use.

I spotted quite a few similarities to Beegu, but that might have mainly been because I had read it recently...
There is a particular image however of Beekle among the feet of hurrying adults on the street that really could have been almost a spot the different. And the name now that I come to think of it...

They might be a nice comparison study together.

A wonderful version of the Human Rights Freedoms.

I love that this book specifically uses quotes, from prominent champions of their meaning, that represent the freedoms laid out in the Human Rights Act.

I enjoy the illustrations from a selection of amazing artists.

I particularly like that each double page spread could be used as a larger topic piece: it would be a great way to teach older children their rights by focusing on one each week and considering each part of the pages (art/artist, freedom, quote meaning, and authors of the quotes).

I didn't really enjoy this book but I can definitely understand why young children might.

It's the kind of book that children would love to yell, laugh and point at, but could still be used as a serious talking point if a teacher maybe specifically wanted to make a point out of one of the mentioned activities for example.

I would personally find it a bit of a stretch and could think of better ways I would turn to first.