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

ACELT1594, ACELT1596, ACELT1599, ACPPS033, ACPPS034, ACPPS035, ACPPS036, ACPPS037, ACPPS038, ACPPS042, ACELA1498, ACELT1602, ACELT1603, ACELT1605, ACHASSK088, ACELA1502, ACELT1608, ACELT1609, ACELT1610, ACELT1612, ACPPS051, ACPPS054, ACPPS056, ACPPS060, ACELA1518, ACELT1613, ACELT1614, ACHASSK140