By Tania Ingram & Ruth-Mary Smith
Reviewed by Shan O’Shea
A small book with a big message, this story is about building walls to feel safe, and then discovering that communication is better than isolation.
When a knight and a Viking each believe their own side (of the book) to be better, their children can no longer play together and the stream between them can no longer flow. The text and illustrations interact cleverly to voice the opinions of the adults while the two children show how they feel visually. Ultimately, the wall fails and the children help to establish friendly relations.
This book recommends itself through its bright illustrations and invites reader participation by the contrast between the intended and actual outcomes. Setting the story in the past makes a relatable scenario appealing, and the building of a physical wall is a fitting and child-friendly metaphor.
A small book with a big message, this story is about building walls to feel safe, and then discovering that communication is better than isolation.
