Grandad's Island

Syd has a very close relationship with his Grandad, whose house and garden back onto his own. On one of his regular visits, he finds Grandad in the attic. Grandad appears to be ready to make a journey and the pair set out on a voyage, entering onto the deck of a ship by passing through a large metal door that Syd has never noticed before. They spend a wonderful time together on a beautiful tropical island before Grandad reveals that he will be staying there and Syd has to make the journey home alone.

A sensitive story about the loss of a loved one which is moving and uplifting at the same time. The illustrations make it unnecessary for the words to be explicit about what may be reality and what may be imagination. This is left to reader who can infer information from such detail as the depiction of Grandad’s belongings and mood from the brightness and colour of the island, and the sombre shades of the rough sea which Syd must traverse to arrive home.