About the Author

Glenda Millard is a writer of great talent who has the ability to write across all genres and age groups - from picture books to junior fiction to YA novels. Her first novel about the Silk family, The Naming of Tishkin Silk, was published in 2003 by ABC Books. It was shortlisted in the CBC Book of the Year Awards and for the NSW Premier's Literary Awards. She has also had numerous picture books and children's novels published, including, most recently, Duck, Apple, Egg, illustrated by Martina Heiduczek. Caroline Magerl is an award-winning and internationally distinguished illustrator, cartoonist and painter, who is now recognised as a unique and arresting presence. Her work spans from dark, enigmatic oil paintings, through incisive cartoons, to lively children's book illustrations. It has been exhibited in a variety of galleries and art fairs and celebrated in numerous publications.

Reviews

Gr 3-5-In the Silk family, a child's first birthday is a significant one: it's the day the youngster is given a name. Griffin and his five older sisters all had their special moment, but their younger sister died before her first birthday and their mother is recovering from her grief in a hospital. Griffin is attending public school for the first time in his life, has been put a grade ahead, and is having difficulty fitting in with the other kids. Then he meets Layla, who immediately connects with Griffin and his unusual family. He even shows her the elaborate Naming Day books that were created for each Silk child. But Griffin cannot bring himself to tell Layla much about his baby sister (whom he has named Tishkin), or that he is afraid that he didn't love her enough-that his jealousy caused her death and his mother's withdrawal. Slowly and patiently, Layla teases out Griffin's feelings and eventually suggests that a Naming Day party for his sister would be a wonderful event for the entire family. Tishkin's party provides the healing that the family needs and a new beginning for all. This book is a little gem. Griffin is described as an uncommon boy (he was born on February 29), but his feelings and fears are those of all children. Barton's soft pen-and-ink drawings perfectly fit this quiet story.-Terrie Dorio, Santa Monica Public Library, CA Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.