My Two Blankets

by Irena Kobald, Freya Blackwood

Moving is hard--but friends make it easier. 

 

In this stunning multicultural picture book illustrated by Kate Greenaway Medalist Freya Blackwood, a young girl has moved to a new country with her auntie, and misses all she's ever known. Everything in her new country feels so strange: the animals, the plants--even the wind. To comfort herself, she creates a safe place under her old blanket, which is made out of memories, thoughts, and reminders of home. After meeting a new friend in the park, the girl begins to weave a new blanket--one made of friendship, new words, and a renewed sense of belonging. It's very different from the old blanket, but it eventually becomes just as warm and familiar--and one to share with her new friend. 

     Fans of Tricia Tusa, Helen Oxenbury, Marla Frazee, and Matt Phelan will delight in reading this warm story alongside Blackwood's artwork.

  • Format: eBook
  • ISBN-13/ EAN: 9780544764859
  • ISBN-10: 0544764854
  • Pages: 32
  • Publication Date: 09/01/2015
  • Carton Quantity: 1
About the Book
About the Authors
Reviews
  • About the Book
    Cartwheel moves to a new country with her auntie, and everything is strange: the animals, the plants—even the wind. An old blanket gives Cartwheel comfort when she’s sad—and a new blanket just might change her world. 

     

    This multicultural story of friendship is about leaving home, moving to a foreign and strange place, and finding a new friend. It's a story for all who have experienced change. Irena Kobald’s poetic text, paired with Kate Greenaway medalist Freya Blackwood's powerful paintings, renders an emotional and heart-warming story about two children from diverse backgrounds coming together to become new friends.
     

  • About the Author

    Irena Kobald

    Irena Kobald is multi-lingual Austrian immigrant to Australia, who teaches aboriginal children in Australian outback communities (the closest shop is 250 kms away!). The children she teaches use English as a fifth language (many speak several Aboriginal languages). 

    Freya Blackwood

    Freya Blackwood grew up in New South Wales, Australia, and created several of her own illustrated books as a child. She is the illustrator of many acclaimed picture books published throughout the world, including My Two Blankets. After time in Sydney and New Zealand, she now lives in New South Wales with her daughter. www.freyablackwood.com.au

  • Excerpts
  • Reviews
    * "Loneliness, cultural displacement, tentative friendship, and an explosion of sharing and kindness are accessible even to very young readers...An amazingly lovely import." 

    —Kirkus, starred review 

     

    "With its bold visual metaphors, "My Two Blankets" ingeniously captures a child's efforts to weave the old with the new." 

    —New York Times Book Review 

     

    "The blanket metaphor is powerful, and the way that sounds are depicted through shape and line works well." 

    —School Library Journal 

     

    "The illustrations, a combination of watercolor and oils, heighten the effect of the thought-provoking story. Just the right format for children to think about immigrants and friendship." 

    —Booklist

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