stone-age – Book Craic

Written by Jasbinder Bilan
Cover and internal illustrations by *Sònia* Albert
Cover design by Steve Wells
Published by Chicken House Books

Girl with a Sabretooth Tiger is an exciting, heart-warming adventure set in the late Stone Age which completely captivated me as I joined a courageous young girl on her awe-inspiring personal quest.

Eleven-year-old Swallow lives with her Ma, Pa and baby sister, Bear. Her tribe values the tradition of storytelling to keep memories of their past alive. As she sits around the fireside and listens to the story of a sacred stone from legend that will grant wishes, Swallow dreams of obtaining a piece in the hope that it will cure her sick little sister.

Determined to turn her dream into reality, Swallow sets out on a journey to the faraway green god mountain to seek a piece of this sacred stone: jadeite. Around her neck, she wears the tooth of a sabretooth tiger given to her by her Grandma before she died, hoping the spirit of this tiger will help guide and protect her on her quest. Just as she is about to leave the camp, she is joined by another young member of the tribe, Ishi, and together they set off on an incredible adventure. Can Swallow find the stone and save her sister before time runs out?

I absolutely loved this action-packed quest, brimming with danger and wonder. I was taken on an exciting and richly imagined journey by river, sea and land, through forest and mountains, in search of a sacred stone. I really enjoyed the connection between Swallow and the spirit of the sabretooth tiger as she is guided towards her destination by animal star clusters.

Swallow is an incredibly sympathetic young girl who clearly loves her little sister and her family. She shows great courage, resourcefulness and strength when enduring the hardships and danger of her quest. I enjoyed her developing friendship with Ishi which felt authentic as both react to situations and show their emotions. I also really enjoyed Swallow’s deep connection to both the spiritual and natural world.

For the last couple of years I have taught in Year 3 and have covered the Stone Age period. This book, with its shorter chapters and immersion in the Neolithic period, would work perfectly to complement a unit of work on the Stone Age. As I read, I have made many associations with the work I taught in Year 3 including life in later stone age settlements, cave art and stone circles. I can see many children in Year 3 being filled with excitement at making connections between a period of history they are studying, and the sheer enjoyment of reading this wonderful adventure.

The illustrations throughout are absolutely wonderful and really complement the excitement of the adventure and the majesty of the landscapes as well as the bonds of family and friendship.

A beautifully lyrical story of the bonds of family and friendship, of spirituality and nature set in a richly imagined pre-historic landscape, perfect for children of 8+.

Thank you to Laura Smythe PR and Chicken House Books for providing me with a copy of this book. My review is my honest opinion of the book.

*Written by Genevieve*
*Illustrated by Richard Johnson*
Published by *Rock the Boat*
*(an imprint of Oneworld Publications Ltd)*

The Ocean and the Bones is an absolutely breath-taking, heartfelt adventure that transported me into the Stone Age, and into the lives of two young girls, who forge a friendship that brings acceptance, connection and hope.

The Chalk Howe Clan have lost their leader to the sea. Little Meg, who is training as the Sunhealer’s apprentice, must make offerings, together with her kinfolk, which include the bones of their dead, to the Water Spirits to mark his passing. They do this in the hope that the cycle of storms and floods that are damaging their homes and ruining their crops will be ended. Despite being responsible for giving the offerings to the Sunhealer, Meg cannot bear to part with all of her parents’ finger bones so keeps one of each. When another storm follows, Meg, who is being taught the ways of the Spirits by the Sunhealer, worries that she has angered the Water Spirits and they have sent the storm as punishment.

When her dog leads her to the beach after the storm has settled, Meg finds a young girl washed up on the shore, a girl who does not speak her language; however, the girls find a way to communicate through actions and drawings. Meg brings Kalø home, but it is not long before other kinfolk in the Clan are accusing Kalø of being responsible for the storms affecting the Clanlands. Could she be one of the Brinksfolk, from the realm of both earth and water, fabled to live on a distant island with an entrance to the Everdeep, the home of the Water Spirits?

As Meg and Kalø spend time together, they form a tentative friendship as they become more confident in communicating and learning each other’s ways. Despite the differences in their beliefs, customs and way of life, these two girls accept and work to understand each other, something that helps them forge a bond. Whilst Kalø is a child of the sea, enjoying swimming with the seals and fishing, Meg has a deep-rooted fear of the sea, something that Kalø helps her to overcome as she teaches her to swim and build a boat.

When Meg overhears a secret conversation, she realises that Kalø is in great danger so the girls’ escape in a small boat, hoping to find the island home that Kalø has left. So begins a dangerous and desperate sea journey as the girls fight against the sea, the elements and those who would harm them. Will they make it safely to the island and, if so, what awaits them there?

This is an all-encompassing, stunning adventure that completely and utterly entranced me from start to finish. I was swept back in time to the Neolithic period to learn the story of two incredibly courageous, resilient girls who absolutely won my heart as they opened their hearts to each other. They work together to fight against prejudice, accusations and suspicions, not allowing these to pull them apart, but instead to bring them together in mutual respect, understanding and trust. What an important message this is for our time – parallels that can open up discussions around prejudice and discrimination, around manipulation, power and control and how the few really can make a difference in bringing a community together – such a powerful message of hope.

An unforgettable and poignant pre-historic adventure, with friendship, community and hope at its heart, perfect for readers of 9+.

Thank you to Rock the Boat for sending me a proof copy of The Ocean and the Bones. It was my decision to read this book and my review is my honest opinion.