Ava and the acorn by Lu Fraser Paddy Donnelly

There's a whisper of woodsmoke that tumbles and twists
Through the ribbons of dawn and the morning's soft mists
It weaves through the eaves of a house with a curl
Then downwards it drifts in the breeze...to a girl...

Add that text to this image and you know that you are about to embark on a very special story.

And indeed it is.

As Grandad emerges from the cottage and joins Ava for their regular walk in the woods, she declares that she wants to stay there with him forever, but Grandad knows that nothing stands still, that life moves forward and things grow and change and so he takes her to an ancient oak tree that 'has a lifetime worth knowing. A lesson it shares with each season growing. And the long-ago song that it sang as I grew Has become a new song that it's singing for you.'

And so, through the year, they make memories together as both time and the tree roll through the seasons, swinging on the old swing, picnics in its shade, crunching through the leaves and then comes winter. But Grandad is not well and there are no trips to the tree together - just memories to recall until Spring comes again...

Described as "a tender, stay-with-you-forever story about one little girl's relationship with her grandad, and the hope that lies in the changing of the seasons and the circle of life" this is one that can be enjoyed by anyone of any age who has memories to treasure of times shared with a grandparent and how those memories are such a part of who they are now, as well as being especially appropriate for helping a little one deal with a recent loss.

The last few pages are particularly poignant as Ava tends the acorn that she and Grandad planted and as she grows, so does it, until she, in turn, takes her own son to learn the lessons of long ago... Because where you think there's an end, there's always a beginning . . .

Emotional, personal, sensitive and beautifully illustrated, even though this is a story that is essentially about the decline and loss of a loved one, at its core is a story of hope and promise of the future as the circle of life revolves and evolves. In fact, in answer to a question in an interview, illustrator Paddy Donnelly suggest that Circle of Life from The Lion King would be an appropriate song to accompany it and I agree.

From the day we arrive on the planet
And, blinking, step into the sun
There's more to see than can ever be seen
More to do than can ever be done
There's far too much to take in here
More to find than can ever be found
But the sun rolling high
Through the sapphire sky
Keeps great and small on the endless round

It's the circle of life
And it moves us all
Through despair and hope
Through faith and love
'Til we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the circle
The circle of life

Themes: Grandfathers, Seasons, Loss.

Barbara Braxton