
Title
Wisp: A Story of Hope
Author
Fraillon, Zana
Illustrator
Baker-Smith, Grahame
Publisher
Lothian/Hachette
Published Date
2018
Annotation
‘Idris lived in a small, small world where fences grew from the dirt and where shadows ruled.’ So begins this story with a poetic text. Idris, a young boy, encounters a gentle light which escapes from his hands and lands in the hands of individuals who are living in his world. As each person holds the gentle light, or the ‘Wisp’, they remember their lives in happier times. Each individual experiences happiness as ‘rememberings’ that are experienced. Idris though has no memories of other places in his life, so the Wisp shows him future possibilities and whispers to him, ‘Someday’. This open-ended picture book prompts discussion and individual interpretations enhanced by dreamy and captivating illustrations.
Key Concepts
Detention centres, Family, Hope, Loss, Refugee, Resilience
Audience
Lower primary, Primary, Upper primary
AC Links/EYLF
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