Welcome in Spring with a Good Book -- Precious Little by Julie Hunt and Sue Moss (Review)

 

JUVENILE FICTION
32 Pages, 10.5 x 10.5
Formats: Hardcover Picture Book
Hardcover Picture Book, $16.99 (US $16.99) (CA $18.99)
ISBN 9781741751475
Rights: US & CA

Summary:


Take the Hope or the Dream or the Song or the Dance.
You might choose the Joke. You might take the Chance.
Take the Risk or the Scare or the Stunt or the Rip.
What prize will you pick from today's lucky dip?'

Precious Little wants to be a trapeze artist but no one in the circus encourages her - apart from Fat Chance and Tough Luck, who run the lucky dip. Precious Little practices her skills, but it's only when she takes a risk in the lucky dip that she really takes off. A heart-stirring story about the rewards of perseverance, friendship and taking a chance.


My Thoughts:

"Wow," what an amazing book.  Not just for the story, but for the breathtaking illustrations done by Gaye Chapman.  I requested this book, as the color was intriguing, as was the storyline, about a circus girl who dreams of becoming a flying trapeze artist.  As you follow along on her adventure, you find yourself rooting for her to see her dreams though.  Even though Precious Little is determined to fly through the air, she lacks the confidence one needs to persevere and not give up on her dream.  Both children and adults with love this heartwarming tale that also teaches about friendship and taking chances.  I don't want to spoil the ending, so you will have to pick up a copy of this book, to see if Precious Little's dream comes true.  You will not be disappointed!  I hope you enjoy the charming story, with mixed media illustrations using ink drawings, tea-stained paintings and collaged metallic paper, as much as I did.  My daughter and I find ourselves admiring the illustrations long after the text on each page is read -- it is that captivating!!

 About the Author:

Julie Hunt has written poetry and performed with the Kazakstan Kowgerls. When she wrote Little Else: Trick Rider, she discovered that one book didn't have enough room for this daring little heroine who left home with just a lucky horseshoe nail and the ability to talk to horses. 

About the Illustrator:

Gaye Chapman is a fine artist and illustrator who explores mixed media in her artwork. She used sepia ink line drawings, acrylic ink plus tea-stained paintings, and collaged metallic papers to create Precious Little's world. Gaye's picture book, Little Blue, was the winner of the Children's Book Award in the 2009 Queensland Premier's Literary Awards. Sue Moss is a poet, performer and reviewer. Precious Little is her first children's book. Both live in southern Tasmania. 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book by the publisher in order to write up an honest review.  The views above are mine and mine alone.