Early readers · ages 4–7

The Great Green Island

Nobody on the island has time to go exploring.

The Great Green Island — written and illustrated by Becky Colvin (Macmillan). Ages 4–8.

Ali can't get a single person on her busy fishing island to stop and come exploring. Then one morning the fish are gone, and the busiest place on the island has nothing to do.

Unusually cinematic for a debut — Colvin composes a page the way a film composes a shot. The island feels like somewhere with weather, not a backdrop.

The catch — there's an environmental message underneath, and you may spot it coming. It's handled with more restraint than most.

Shortlisted for the Klaus Flugge Prize. Winner announced 9 September.

Get the full guide: The Picture Book Years →

Cover: The Great Green Island · written and illustrated by Becky Colvin · Macmillan