Edith
Catharina Valckx
Gecko Press

When Edith is born she receives, at her parents’ behest, gifts from two fairies. The first fairy, Aisha is young and gives the infant the ability to bring things to life. The second, an old fairy, bestows on the baby the gift of everlasting childhood. However, remaining ten for ever eventually becomes boring so when she reaches one hundred, but with the appearance of a child, Edith decides that change is necessary.

Bolster her dog reminds her that she’s always wanted a friend but rather than one that wouldn’t understand Edith’s eternal youth, she decides to go against what her parents had told her. She animates a lemon from the fruit bowl and names it Squirt. Squirt is a fast learner and becomes extremely helpful as well as great friends with Bolster. The two of them decide that something needs to be done and that something is to find a fairy to undo the gift so Edith can grow up in the same way as other people.

A camping trip in the forest ensues and eventually becomes a quest to find the fairy whose name begins with A (the only remaining fairy, so a kindly gnome named Dwim tells them). Edith is determined and certain that what she wants is to grow old and eventually die and she tells her friends so. They stick together over land and sea, finally arriving on dry sand. Fortunately, Aisha, the fairy they seek, lives in one of the few houses there. She greets them, and not long after with a flick of her wand …

With an important philosophical question underpinning the story, this book celebrates determination, the changes during a lifetime, aging and eventually, death. Illustrated in soft hues this will generate much thought and discussion.