The Boy, the Troll and the Chalk

David Litchfield, Anne Booth

$24.99

Hardback

Forthcoming
Pre-Order now

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English

Templar Publishing
23 July 2024

Creative therapy (eg art, music, drama); Picture storybooks; Personal & social issues: self-awareness & self-esteem (Children's&YA)

"Everybody knew that a big fierce troll lived in the cave.

""Leave me alone!"" it yelled.

So everybody did.

Only one child cannot turn their back on the troll at the edge of the playground. One day, he takes his chalks up to the mouth of the cave. He draws a flower with every petal coloured in but one, and leaves the chalk behind. The next day, the flower has been completed. Day-by-day, the boy and the troll finish each other's drawings, until they each draw a portrait, showing a boy holding hands with a fierce, scary troll. ""But you're not a troll,"" says the boy. ""You're a boy - just like me.""

Patience, kindness and the power of art win out in the end: the two boys wordlessly draw together. Soon all the other children gather to join in with the game. Everyone forgets that there was a troll inside the cave. Because outside the cave, there is so much to draw.

This touching story shows the power of kindness, art and imagination, in the face of isolation and difficult emotions, and delicately embodies the philosophy of art therapy. From the creative duo behind A Shelter for Sadness, award-winning artist David Litchfield's illustrations bring life and colour to this gentle tale of hope and friendship by Anne Booth. The beautiful, textured illustrations are also a joyful celebration of pavement art that is sure to have little ones reaching for their own chalks."

By: Anne Booth
Illustrated by: David Litchfield
Imprint: Templar Publishing
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 294mm, Width: 254mm, Spine: 9mm
Weight: 505g
ISBN: 9781800783058
ISBN 10: 1800783051
Pages: 40
Publication Date: 23 July 2024
Recommended Age: From 3 to 7 years
Audience: Children/juvenile , English as a second language
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Anne Booth (Author) Anne Booth writes highly acclaimed children's fiction and picture books and is known for the exceptional warmth and authenticity of her writing. Her picture books include Refuge, illustrated by Sam Usher, and Little Cloud, illustrated by Sarah Massini. David Litchfield (Illustrator) David Litchfield is a multi-award-winning illustrator and author. His work has appeared in magazines, newspapers, books and on T-shirts, and he has exhibited his illustrations in the UK, Europe and America. David is the author/illustrator of several picture books including The Bear & the Piano, winner of the Waterstones Children's Book Prize.

Reviews for The Boy, the Troll and the Chalk

Taking its cue from art therapy, The Boy, the Troll and the Chalk is a beautiful book that will surely inspire many a little one to find themselves - and, quite possibly, new friends - through the magic of making art together. * Reading Zone * It's a testament to the power of creativity and the power of kindness. Sometimes it takes someone reaching out to coax us from a difficult place. We've all been the troll in this story, and we can all be the boy. David Litchfield's illustrations are full of heart * Juno Magazine * stunningly illustrated and beautifully written. A treasure of a book * Simon Smith * stirring story of empathy, imagination and new-found friendship elegantly augmented by David Litchfield's illustrations - his use of scale, perspective and colour packs poignant punch * LoveReading4Kids *