My spotlight today is for Ava and the Acorn written by Lu Fraser and illustrated by Paddy Donnelly. This tender, stay-with-you-forever picture book about one little girl’s relationship with her grandad, and the hope that lies in the changing of the seasons and the circle of life is the perfect introduction to life, love and loss for little ones. It was published on 12th September 2024 by Hachette Children’s Books

Blurb

All the things that you’ve lost – that you’ve loved – are not gone,
When they’re held in your heart, a small part still lives on…

Together Grandad and Ava adventure along the twisting path and over the hill where, beneath the canopy of their friend the old Oak tree, they make wonderful memories to treasure and share – from summer picnics with jam-sticky fingers to carefree days kicking through russet leaves in autumn’s soft glow. But as the seasons change, so too does the old Oak tree and Grandad’s health…

Ava and the Acorn is a tender, unforgettable story about one little girl’s relationship with her grandad, and the hope that lies in the changing of the seasons and the circle of life.

A perfect introduction to life, love and growth for little ones, this beautifully lyrical rhyming story coupled with Paddy Donnelly’s perfect illustrations also explores the positive portrayal of intergenerational relationships and shared experiences.

About the Author

Lu Fraser is one of the most exciting new picture book voices. Her debut picture book, The Littlest Yak (illustrated by Kate Hindley) won the Oscars Book Prize, The Sainsbury’s Best Picture Book Award and The Sainsbury’s Children’s Book of the Year Award, whilst her second book, The Viking Who Liked Icing (illustrated by Mark McKinley) was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Award.

Now she gets to write her own books in a shed in her garden. Lu lives in the south of England, in the middle of nowhere, with her husband and daughter and their pets.

About the Illustrator

Paddy Donnelly is an Irish illustrator now living in Belgium. He has over 15 years’ experience as an illustrator and designer, and especially loves working with a textured, painterly approach. His books include Dodos Are Not Extinct, Hom, Here Be Dragons and The Vanishing Lake.

His work has achieved international acclaim as he was nominated for the Kate Greenaway Medal 2022 and shortlisted for The World Illustration Awards in 2018. Paddy’s first book as both author and illustrator, The Vanishing Lake, was awarded the gold medal in the picture book category of the IPPY Awards.

I would like to thank Antonia Wilkinson for sending me the PR information. Thank you.