A Feather On A Wing by Maria Speyer (University of Queensland Press) HB RRP $24.99 ISBN 9780702263255
Reviewed
by Kerry Gittins
When a little girl
asks ‘Are you there? It’s so lonely in the dark!’, her older sister tells her
to imagine they are feathers on a wing and takes her on a journey of
imagination to help her realise that she is never alone. Whether they are links
in a daisy chain, stitches in a scarf, branches in an ancient tree, or stones
in a bridge standing strong together, the older sister reminds the younger that
they will always be connected, and always be part of a bigger whole in some
way.
This is such a beautiful story, and the words
have a gentle, soothing quality to them that immediately draws the reader in.
The lilting, rhythmic style is reminiscent of a hushaby song which is supported
by the music, written in a minor key, that Maria Speyer has included in the
endpapers. The stunning illustrations, also by the author, add to the dreamlike
quality of the story, and the palette of soft blues, coral pinks and mustard
yellows accentuate its ethereal nature. The hint of gold in the feathers and
title text makes for a striking and dazzling cover.
Supporting teaching themes could include
sisters, families, relationships, dreams, rhyming stories, music.
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