I wish I had a friend, just one friend who would listen. I wish I could write a tory, just one story I could finish. I wish everything could be like it was last summer.
Last summer, Lucy had a wonderful time playing with her cousins and enjoying time with her parents. This summer, though, everything is different. Her parents have separated and now Lucy lives in New York with her mum. Home in Australia for a holiday with her dad, Lucy is sad. She wishes she had someone to talk to.
Sometimes, just sometimes, wishes do come true and, when Lucy makes her wish, something strange happens. A bright stone drops from the air and, when she looks after her, it hatches into a tiny being who has come to bring colour back to her life. Lucy has much to learn from Sharni, who gives her strength to face the changes in her life, but the hardest lesson of all might be in letting her friend go when the time comes.
Dreamstone is a charming junior novel from acclaimed South West writer, Helene Smith. The magical Sharni is a delight, with a special appeal in her language – her fingers are ‘touching ends’, and she calls people ‘earth-ones’. Lucy’s mouth is, to Sharni, a ‘word cave’. Young readers will love working out this language.
Another highlight of the book is the dleightful illustrative contribution of Geraldine Guinard. She combines the real world with the magical with ease, bringing a special ‘other-world’ feel to all the black and white illustrations which are full of detail.
This little offering will appeal to readers aged 7 to 10 and would be ideal for a child dealing with change.
Dreamstone, by Helene Smith
Fremantle Arts Centre Press, 2005