There’s a moral to this lively tale for everyone who lives on a small island. The setting is a farm run by animals. At first, all is good: the animals work hard and are friends, free ‘to live and work where they chose’. But trouble is brewing. The geese, who reside with the ducks on a lush little island, start to resent the other animals. Their grumbling gets worse until they decide that the best thing for them to do is to leave the rest of the farm and live on their own. Despite the misgivings of the ducks, the geese destroy the footbridge to the farm. 48% of readers may not be surprised to learn that things don’t work out as the geese expect, but all readers will be glad that by the end of the book the bridge has been rebuilt. Animal farms traditionally have lessons for readers – Farmer Duck by Martin Waddell and Helen Oxenbury for example – and this one is delivered with impact and charm. A book to get everyone talking, but to leave them smiling.
Shortlisted for The Little Rebels Children's Book Award 2020!
There was once a farm where all the animals were friends. Together they looked after the farm and each other. It wasn't perfect and they didn't always agree (animals almost never do). But the Geese have hatched a plan to leave the farm... will life be perfect for them now?
A powerful modern-day fable for our times told with humour and warmth, and most importantly, hope. A story of building bridges not barriers, respect not resentment and of finding friendship, not fear.
'The Little Island eloquently illustrates the pitfalls of isolation... Clear, comic and ending on a hopeful note' Guardian
'Animal Farm for our times... a little island of sanity in the rising tide of insanity around us' Axel Scheffler, illustrator of The Gruffalo
'An allegory with a 'better together' theme' Sunday Times, Best Children's Books of 2019
'An elegantly written fable about division, with serious soul.' Sally Phillips
'I love it.,. the overall message is hope and the power of togetherness which is a lesson that many adults could do with hearing.' Dom Joly
