Joe Brady Books

Based on real-life experiences, Tosh’s Island is a stunning graphic novel for Y6 or Y7, exploring identity, escapism and change.

Already dealing with shifting friendships and the big move to secondary school, Tosh’s world is turned upside down by the onset of a serious illness. To cope with the pain and confusion of her diagnosis, Tosh connects with a penpal, and together they create a beautiful, imaginary undersea fantasy world that becomes a space for escape and empowerment.

Leo Marcel’s vibrant artwork beautifully contrasts the harshness of medical appointments with stunning, double-page fantasy sequences. At times, Tosh’s water therapy sessions, which help with pain management, mirror the fantasy undersea scenes she uses as escapism. Tackling heavy themes like empathy, medical differences and the complexities of growing up, this poignant and deeply inspiring story is a superb choice of graphic novel for Upper Key Stage 2 or secondary school libraries.