Nominated for the Kate Greenaway Medal 2022   

A child starts a new school in a strange new town. The children in her class are hostile towards her and unhappy about the stranger in their midst, refusing to include her. The girl’s response is to create something beautiful that transforms their attitude towards her and their vision of themselves and their own lives in this inspiring story.

Nicola Davies is an award-winning author whose many books for children include Perfect (2017 CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal Longlist), The Pond (2018 CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal Longlist), the Shadows and Light series, The Word Bird, Animal Surprises, Into the Blue and The Secret of the Egg.

Cathy Fisher's first published books with Graffeg include Perfect, followed by The Pond, both written by Nicola Davies. Cathy has been a teacher and practicing artist all her life, living and working in the UK, Seychelles and Australia.

'From the perspective of both the new girl in school and the classmates who are unkind towards her, this is an excellent introduction to the importance of accepting those different to us.' Children's Books Ireland, Reading Together with Refugees Reading Guide

'A visually stunning collaboration between Nicola Davies and Cathy Fisher. Kiku is cruelly isolated and ostracised before something beautiful inspires tolerance and acceptance. Words & artwork combine to make a most striking and skillful picture book.' Family Bookworms

'In every way, this is an insightful, loving, extraordinary book.' Mary Esther Judy, Fallen Star Stories

'This is such an inspiring story and it is a stunning book. The artwork is truly breathtakingly beautiful.' EdSpire

'In a spare, poetic text, Nicola Davies shows how easy it is to label someone as ‘different’ and how easy it is to treat them badly once that has been done. But she also shows how a new child can turn that hostility round by introducing the special things from her own life. Cathy Fisher’s illustrations capture the powerful but understated point of the story perfectly making this apparently quiet book speak volumes.' Julia Eccleshare, LoveReading4Kids

'This is an adorable book. Beautiful both on the inside and out and was touching to read.' Stacey Garrity, Whispering Stories

'The book explores the importance of understanding others and how differences of race, culture and nationality can bring people together rather than drive them apart, and the illustrations capture the emotions of loneliness and the hope that we are left with at the end of the story.' It's All About Stories

'What a wonderful book!' Sarah Johnson

'This beautiful picture book is full of acceptance and understanding.' Clare Helen Welsh, Books That Help

'Cathy Fisher's evocative illustrations convey the change in mood throughout the book, starting grey and dull, moving to bright and cheerful as the situation changes.' Rowena, Books for Little Bookworms