Adelaide’s Secret World (Elise Hurst, A&U)

Becoming lost in a picture book and wanting to turn back to the first page again is a very special experience. This is such a book. It doesn’t matter that Adelaide is a rabbit or that the object of her heart’s desire is a fox, because their story is universal. We all search for a kindred spirit in our lives. In the midst of a bustling city, Adelaide lives alone and spends her days observing everyone around her as their daily lives unfold. She paints pictures of what she sees and builds a world of her own. But there’s always something missing. In the author’s own words Adelaide ‘has succumbed to the loneliness of being in a crowd’. But Adelaide’s secret world will soon be transformed by something unexpected, joyful and heart-warming. This is a story about yearning, courage and being open to special opportunities. The exquisite illustrations are moody, evocative and beautifully rendered. Adelaide’s face and body language reflect her feelings. The luminous colours are highlighted by the repeated reds on every spread, whatever the weather, inviting the reader to follow Adelaide’s journey and to look into each picture for more details. Elise Hurst has illustrated over 50 books, including the totally different, but equally remarkable Imagine a City. This is highly recommended for readers aged eight and over.

Margaret Hamilton is a former children’s book publisher. She is now proprietor of Pinerolo, the Children’s Book Cottage in Blackheath, NSW

Category: Reviews