Julia and the Shark
An enthralling, uplifting adventure story from the creators of LEILA AND THE BLUE FOX
Kiran Millwood Hargrave author Tom de Freston illustrator
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Hachette Children's Group
Published:2nd Sep '21
Should be back in stock very soon
A touching story about a mother and daughter navigating their relationship while pursuing the elusive Greenland shark in Julia and the Shark.
In Julia and the Shark, a poignant tale unfolds as Julia and her family relocate to a remote island for the summer. Her father is there for work, while her mother is consumed with the quest to find the elusive Greenland shark. This obsession begins to create a rift in their family dynamic, as Julia grapples with her mother's fixation and the emotional distance it creates between them. The story explores themes of love, family, and the delicate balance between passion and obsession.
As Julia navigates her new environment, she finds herself drawn into an adventure that is both thrilling and daunting. The island's stark beauty serves as a backdrop for her journey, where dark depths of the ocean mirror her internal struggles. The enchanting black and yellow illustrations enhance the narrative, bringing to life the mystical elements of the story and Julia's imaginative world. Each page turn reveals more about the bond between mother and daughter, and the lengths to which one might go in pursuit of their dreams.
Julia and the Shark is not just a story about a shark; it is a lyrical exploration of hope and resilience. As Julia learns to confront her fears, she discovers the importance of science and environmental stewardship, making this book a timely read for young audiences. This beautifully crafted tale is sure to resonate with readers, leaving them with a sense of wonder and reflection on the connections that bind us all.
Captivating * The Telegraph *
A tale of courage, understanding and compassion * The Observer *
A triumph * The Daily Mail *
Illustrated with dreamlike fluency * The Observer *
Beautifully written, sensitive exploration of mental illness, fear and families * The Daily Mail *
A truly beautiful book, with text and illustrations in perfect harmony. A book to treasure! * Jacqueline Wilson *
Julia and the Shark is deep, beautiful and true. The art shines and the writing soars. A classic from cover to cover. * Eoin Colfer *
There are no wasted words in this book. Like a seashell, or a flying bird, it is uncluttered and vital. The illustrations, by Tom de Freston, are mesmerising. I loved it. * Hilary McKay *
Tom de Freston's stunning illustrations perfectly complement the poetry of Kiran Millwood Hargrave's story * Cressida Cowell *
A rich, immersive and wondrous journey, through deep darkness to hope and light * Sophie Anderson, author of The House with Chicken Legs *
What a gorgeous book - calm, funny, heartfelt, wise, full of the quiet and force of the sea * Ross Montgomery, author of The Midnight Guardians *
I fell in love with the tale itself, the setting (I do love a lighthouse!), the characters and the little details - it's a beautiful, forceful storm of a book * Emma Carroll, author of Letters from the Lighthouse *
INCREDIBLE. Poignant and lyrical and beautiful, it's my favourite of Kiran's books so far and that is saying something. Tom's stunning artwork just brings it to a whole other level * Cat Doyle *
Truly extraordinary. Julia and the Shark is contemporary MG at its best but with a hint of the fantastic. It is the kind of book that you will want to have on your shelves and treasure * Katherine Webber Tsang *
A beautifully written, moving exploration of family, friendship and mental health, with exquisite illustrations by de Freston
* Irish Independent *Such rich and vivid prose ... with beautiful illustrations by Tom de Freston * New York Times *
This beautifully illustrated book proves that picture books are not only for the youngest readers. The black and white sketches are deliberately highlighted with yellow accents that light up the pages in some places, and delicate tracing paper inserts make images shift when you turn them, emphasising the lurking shark. This is a powerful story of love, family and fighting to keep your head above water. * NATE *
ISBN: 9781510107786
Dimensions: 218mm x 158mm x 22mm
Weight: 540g
224 pages