Book Title: Found You (available here)
Author/Illustrator: Devon Holzwarth
Publisher: Scholastic
Publication Date: July 2020
Most Suitable For: KS1
Reviewed By: Christine Whitney
This is an inspiring story about finding and making friends. It is illustrated in rich, bold colours with details which add another layer of meaning and which will provoke discussion. The main character – Sami – has recently fled his homeland and, as a refugee, is trying to settle into a new country with its different culture and without his friends from home. He is lonely and afraid…but Little Bird has a plan!
When we first meet Sami he is remembering his homeland, his family and the friends he left behind. We see him playing by himself and feeling afraid of this new land where no-one speaks his language and he feels like he doesn’t fit in. When he visits a park with his mother a lonely little bird crashes into him. She is lost and asks Sami to help her find her friends. He sets off to do this and on his way meets the people he had previously thought of as unfriendly. Now they appear kind and helpful. As Sami remembers where he has seen birds just like Little Bird he bumps into a little girl from his nursery but is too frightened to talk to her. He needs some persuasion! Little Bird encourages him to agree to playing with her and a new friendship is made.
In this circular story however Little Bird’s work is not done for there are other shy and lonely children who need her help. As the story ends, Little Bird crashes into a little girl who is playing all by herself. The story begins again…
As Devon Holzwarth’s debut picture book, it will encourage understanding and plenty of discussion about how important it is to welcome newcomers into a new culture and new friendship groups.
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You can order Found You online or from your local bookshop.
Many thanks to the publisher for sending us a review copy of this book and to Review Panel member Christine for reviewing it.
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> Visit our Reading for Pleasure Hub
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