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    The Children's Book Review

    The Day We Went to Away, by Stuart French | Dedicated Review

    Bianca SchulzeBy Bianca Schulze4 Mins Read Ages 4-8 Author Showcase Books with Girl Characters Environment & Ecology Picture Books
    Review and Art
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    Sponsored*
    The Children’s Book Review

    Book The Day We Went AwayThe Day We Went to Away

    Written by Stuart French

    Illustrated by Madison Pollard

    Age Range: 4 and up

    Hardcover: 32 pages

    Publisher: Ethicool Books (2020)

    ISBN-13: 9780648702467

    What to expect: Environmentalism and sustainability

    Ethicool Books is an Australian children’s book publisher dedicated to enabling meaningful conversations between kids and the adults who read with them. The Day We Went to Away is a formidable and informative picture book that will have readers contemplating how the waste they create impacts the world.

    We throw lots of things away every single day. But where is this place called Away? Have you ever stopped to wonder? A young girl begins to wonder about this highly talked about place. Are the mountains made of toys and trash? Are the beaches made of plastics and steel? Light and nature-filled illustrations turn dark and ominous as the girl discovers that a world filled with litter is cold and dismal. She knows she must let the people of the world know what she has seen, and she encourages them to love and reuse the items that belong to them. The book ends with a call to action that reminds readers to “recycle, restore, donate, and make sure Away only ever exists in our dreams.”

    Author Stuart French takes the reader to a far-off place that is both made-up and believable, and underscores the importance of taking care of planet Earth. Written in rhyme that reads with natural musicality, the text flows effortlessly along with the girl’s imagination.

    “Over the hills and deep into days.
    Through dark forests and trees that sway.
    Beyond the beauty, and into the grey.
    So this is Away the word that we say
    When we throw all our litter into the day.”

    The more substantial thematic undercurrents are carefully depicted with Madison Pollard’s illustrations that offer reassuring perspective without lessening the impact of all the waste we create daily. Complimenting the dramatics and moments of empowerment shared through the text, she uses both muddied and brighter palettes to her advantage. Her smart use of views and angles also creates an impact. When the young girl reaches Away, she is small compared to the gloomy gates and turrets that tower above her, and the moon looks sad, yet somehow the moon’s glowing rays reach the girl and allow the reader to feel that maybe not all is lost.

    Introducing the world’s global waste crisis to young readers in a digestible and compelling way is no easy feat, but this team of creators has succeeded. In a time when young people are stepping up to take on global issues, The Day We Went to Away is the kind of book that will lead to thought-provoking conversation and encourage the next wave of activists. It manages to be imaginative, dreamy, and adventurous, while also being an eye-opening introduction to environmentalism and sustainability.

    Buy the Book

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    About the Author

    Headshot Stuart French
    Stuart French

    Stuart French is a Tasmanian-born author of children’s books and poetry. French’s first children’s book title, Remembering Mother Nature, sold out its first allocation within hours, with young readers worldwide captivated by the endearing narrative it unfolds. French has gone on to publish a further five children’s books, including When Grandma was the Moon, which is due for release in August 2020.

    About the Illustrator

    Headshot Madison Pollard
    Madison Pollard

    Madison Pollard is a Sydney-based artist and illustrator. Passionate about conservation and sustainability, The day we went to Away is Pollard’s debut children’s book, showcasing her magical and dreamy illustration style.

    Dedicated Reviews allow authors and illustrators to gain prompt visibility for their work. This is a sponsored* and non-biased review of “Remembering Mother Nature.” Learn more about getting a book review …

    What to Read Next:

    1. Remembering Mother Nature, by Stuart French | Dedicated Review
    2. As Maya Grows in the Natural World | Dedicated Review
    3. Picture of Grace, by Josh Armstrong | Dedicated Review
    4. It’s Just So . . . Little, by Brenda Faatz and Peter Trimarco | Dedicated Review

    *Disclosure: Please note that this post may contain affiliate links that share some commission. Rest assured that these will not affect the cost of any products and services promoted here. Our team always provides their authentic opinion in all content published on this site.

    Australian Authors Dedicated Review Environmental Ethicool Books Madison Pollard Picture Book Recycling Stuart French
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    Bianca Schulze
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    Bianca Schulze is the founder of The Children’s Book Review. She is a reader, reviewer, mother and children’s book lover. She also has a decade’s worth of experience working with children in the great outdoors. Combined with her love of books and experience as a children’s specialist bookseller, the goal is to share her passion for children’s literature to grow readers. Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, she now lives with her husband and three children near Boulder, Colorado.

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