1. Anxiety
2. Art techniques
3. Book design
4. Depression
5. Emotions
6. Fear
7. Futures
8. Grief
9. Memory
10. Natural disasters
11. Sadness
12. Senses
13. Trauma
14. Visual literacy

Marley’s dream cloth holds her memories and reminds her of people she loves, and it helps her prepare for the day ahead. One night her cloth gets torn in half and with it her memories. Others try to offer comfort and new memories. She struggles to dream for the future. Over time she begins to remember her friends and their gifts. Eventually she reaches for a teaspoon of light and the light paints the memories back on her cloth.

Nisaluk Chantanakom illustrated this book giving it an element of whimsy, contrasting the light and the dark as Marley’s story is told. Colour and children swirl around Marley, trying to give comfort. The watercolours give a softness and glow to the story. The illustrations complement the story.

The impetus for the book was Peter O’Connor’s work with children after the earthquakes in New Zealand and Mexico. It presents a gentle way to talk to children about dealing with significant disruptions and trauma in their lives. Even though this book was written as a response to earthquakes, it could equally be used to help a child deal with any unexpected trauma. The solution for Marley is gradual, there is no magic bullet that will fix everything quickly. The light starts as a glimmer and grows to a point that there is a teaspoon of light, and then the light overflows the spoon.

1. Just Kids Lit 27 June 2024. Gemma Creegan reviews ‘A Teaspoon of Light’ by Peter O’Connor and Nisaluk Chantanakom https://www.justkidslit.com/bookreviews-touching-picture-books-that-light-up-the-world/
2. The Book Muse 27 May. Ashleigh Meikle reviews ‘A Teaspoon of Light’ by Peter O’Connor and Nisaluk Chantanakom https://ashleighmeikle.com.au/2024/05/27/a-teaspoon-of-light-by-peter-oconnor-and-nisaluk-chantanakom/
3. Story Links 5 June 2024. Sandhya Parappukkaran reviews ‘A Teaspoon of Light’ by Peter O’Connor and Nisaluk Chantanakom https://storylinks.booklinks.org.au/2024/06/05/a-teaspoon-of-light/
4. Ti Rito Toi, University of Auckland – A New Zealand teaching resource including a video with Peter O’Connor on using drama and the book “A Teaspoon of Light’ to deal with trauma. https://www.teritotoi.org/menu/level-one-lesson-plan-one/
5. Nisaluk Chantanakom website May 2024 – Activity sheets based on ‘A Teaspoon of Light’ https://www.nisaluk.com.au/activities
6. NSW Department of Education News 13 June 2024. ‘Seven Hills West Public welcomes children’s author. (Launch of ‘A Teaspoon of Light’ by Peter O’Connor and Nisaluk Chantanakom) https://education.nsw.gov.au/news/latest-news/seven-hills-west-public-welcomes-childrens-author
7. University of Auckland Biographical profile of Professor Peter O’Connor https://profiles.auckland.ac.nz/p-oconnor
8. Nisaluk Chantanakom website https://www.nisaluk.com.au/about-me