A beautifully moving picture book that deals delicately with a marriage break up and moving house, A New Room for William is a sensitive portrayal of the thoughts and emotions of a little boy in the midst of a dramatic life-change. Magical, washed illustrations combine with simple, easy to follow text, helping to make this book an unforgettable and informative read that doesn't preach or patronise, but simply explores the worries of a little boy with the weight of the world on his shoulders. A great book for sharing, this touching picture book is ideal for explaining the difficulties of a marriage break-up, but is also a simply delightful story dealing with change in a straightforward, no nonsense manner.
A New Room For William is a sensitively worded and illustrated picture
book about the fears a small child faces when his little world is turned
upside down by moving house. Naturally enough, little William is dazed
and confused at the turn his little life has taken and doesn't
understand why the things he has grown to know and love must change. He
finds his new room dark and daunting enough, but the fact that his dad
hasn't moved into the new house with him and his mother is causing great
concern. He soon finds ways to cheer himself up, but one big question
still remains unanswered...
'Sally Grindley excels in stories that extend a child's emotional experience without becoming sentimental or precious' - The Scotsman
'William moves to a new house but he doesn't like his new room. It is bare and William wants to go back to his old home. His mum takes him shopping to choose wallpaper and soon it is transformed into a wonderful dinosaur playground, which he can share with his new friend Tom. This is a very sensitive approach to what happens when people move house and voices all the fears of the small child. What will their room be like, why is the view different, will they still have friends to play with? The colourful illustrations reinforce the sense of adventure in William's new life making this an excellent book. (3 - 5 years)' - Kirkus UK
Author
About Sally Grindley
Sally was our Guest Editor for December 2010. Click here to see her book selections.
Sally began writing in 1984 while she was working for a nationwide children's book club. She has been a full-time author since 1995 and has had over 140 books published. She won the prestigious Smarties Gold Prize in 2005 for her novel ‘Spilled Water’, and 'Shhh' won the Children's Book Award in 1992 and was shortlisted for the Smarties Prize. She has also won and been shortlisted for a number of other awards. Sally is lauded for her ability to write across a wide range of subjects and for a wide range of ages – from street kids to giants and from toddlers to pre-teens.