Tag Catharina Valckx

Edith

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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.

Lisette’s Green Sock

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Lisette’s Green Sock
Catharina Valckx
Gecko Press

One bright sunny day while out for a walk, Lisette comes upon a single green sock, puts it on and continues walking happily along until a pair of cat brothers make fun of her for wearing just one sock.

Having searched unsuccessfully for its pair, she returns home where her mum is none too impressed at the one sock and its dirty state, but she washes it all the same.

As Lisette waits for it to dry, along comes her friend Bert

who mistaking it for a hat, asks to try it on.

Up come the bullying cat brothers with the matching sock but instead of giving it to Lisette they lead her and Bert a merry dance before throwing the sock into the water.

Disappointed Lisette and Bert return home to Lisette’s house and there, joy of joys, Lisette’s mother has knitted a new green sock and everyone is happy.

Not least the fish that discovers a sock in the pond and finds a wonderful use for it.

Which all goes to show how an odd sock, a pair of bullying cats, a good friend and a change of viewpoint can turn a dismal expression into one of delight (or several!). Long live individuality.

A charmer of a book with lively, expressive watercolour illustrations; it’s just right for sharing with a nursery or reception class, or with one child.

Zanzibar

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Zanzibar
Catharina Valckx
Gecko Press

Zanzibar the crow wants to be in the newspaper but can he impress special correspondent Achille LeBlab who comes knocking on his door? Seemingly not, for his talk of mushroom omelettes does nothing to inspire The Voice of the Forest lizard reporter, who leaves him his business card, just in case.

Dented though his ego might be, Zanzibar isn’t entirely deflated when he retires to bed that night. The lizard’s visit has set him thinking and the crow’s thoughts turn to a rather bizarre possibility. “I’m going to lift a camel in the air with just one wing!” he resolves.

Then comes the task of locating a camel but thanks to seagull mail deliverer, Zanzibar is soon on his way, heading south to find the desert and therein hopefully, a small skinny dromedary.

Further help comes courtesy of Sidi, a fennec fox that leads our traveller to a tent wherein resides the object of his desire.

When the task seems doomed, Zanzibar’s new friends come up trumps and then it’s back to the forest for the crow.

His mole pal, Paulette believes his astonishing story but what about Achille LeBlab?

Let’s just say that the power of friendship (not forgetting that of mushroom omelette) works wonders in this enormously engaging story that demonstrates that within us all lies something extraordinary. Also working wonders are Catharina Valckx’s charmingly droll, three colour drawings.