Holding Onto Hope…Aprils’ Garden

One of the most prominent issues we are facing today has to be the homeless crisis. And with young children are affected by this, it is hard to explain and support them through it; harder still, I think to nurture hope in them. This picture book explores one girls’ journey…

APRILS’ GARDEN

author: Isla McGuckin

illustrator: Catalina Echeverri

Graffeg Ltd (15 August 2023)

ISBN: 9781802583410

Caught in homelessness, April and her mother have been housed in temporary accommodation. April is promised a bright, happy future by her mother, but everything in this huge group house is old, broken, silent…and while there is a big garden, the pouring rain makes it impossible to go into. She is the only child there. April longs for things of her own; for something beautiful and bright. But all she finds disappointment. And then, April plants some seeds…

A lovely, gentle book, this is full of emotion and expresses the feelings surrounding displacement from a childs’ perspective perfectly. The sparse text is written with every word carefully chosen to give the full impact of Aprils’ experience. Coupled with free-style, clear, child-friendly illustrations, the reader sense the full range of her journey; the confusion, disappointment, frustration and ultimately, joy. Each page is depicted with a palette that changes to suit the atmosphere of the action. And while home is presented as an intangible thing, always out of reach in Aprils’ eyes, there is a recurring feeling of hope brought by small details. Simple things like her mothers’ voice encouraging patience, waiting, saving pennies…simple acts of promise, such as planting seeds; all keep the dream alive. Moving, gentle, powerful, comforting, ending with a quiet joy…a book to bring hope, heart and understanding to all who read, regardless of your circumstances.

Many thanks to Graffeg Ltd for sharing this lovely tale of hope and promise. https://graffeg.com/products/aprils-garden