Reviewed by Dannielle Viera
If you look carefully, gold can be seen peeking from the centre of white plum-tree blossoms, dancing along the icy edge of winter leaves and glowing in ‘the colours the sun spreads as it goes to bed’. But gold is not just a hue – it’s the sound of the family singing together, the smell of the bush after summer rain, and the touch of bare feet on grass. The perceptive protagonist experiences a wealth of golden moments every day, particularly when she is helping others. She goes to bed happily every night, ‘knowing that tomorrow, more gold will be found’.
Gilded with lyricism, Kate McGann’s tender text takes children aged four to ten on a gentle journey into the beauty of mindfulness and gratitude. The predominant use of present tense draws the reader’s attention to the value of living in the here and now, rather than wistfully wishing for future prosperity. By focusing on simple elements and actions that kids encounter every day, Kate encourages them to appreciate the many small but significant things that can generate joy.
With a rich colour palette and a dynamic interplay between light and dark, Patricia Ward’s illustrations offer plenty of drama for little eyes to behold. Kids will delight in searching each image for the ‘glint of gold’, and this will stand them in good stead when they seek the glimmer in their own lives. They will especially love the characterisation of the dog receiving a massage, as its flapping ears and lolling tongue fill a whole page with sheer bliss.
As heartwarming as a hug from your mum, The Glint of Gold is the pot at the end
of the rainbow brimming with promise and positivity. It gives young readers
hope that even on their darkest days, they will find that every cloud has a
golden lining.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Buzz Words Books would love to hear what you think.