Rating: ***** 5 stars

Jack Foreman, illustrated by Michael Foreman,
Say Hello
Walker.

Ages 5-8

The simplest of poems with the simplest of illustrations make up this stunning picture book. When Jack Foreman was nine, he was ostracised by his school mates, and this hurtful form of bullying led him to write a poem, which he showed to his father, Michael. This has been turned into a baook that will appeal to all lonely, left-out children. Only three colurs are used: black line drawings, blue shading and thread-like lines, and one spot of red - a ball. These simple illustrations are enclosed in acres of white space, emphasising the child's isolation. There is a dog and a lonely little boy and a gang of children, and ultimately there is a coming together of them all which is both heart-warming and hopeful. Simply wonderful.

Elizabeth Schlenther