Our village in the sky

Janeen Brian, illustrated by Anne Spudvilas
Allen & Unwin
ISBN: 9781743318140           RRP: $24.99

Now we are with the children of a Himalayan village. It is summer and school is closed. Their days are marked by the chores they do, which are important for the survival of the whole village. The lyrical text is in blank verse and moves from child to child, sometimes in groups, describing their integral work – collecting fresh water; washing clothes and the monks bed sheets; carrying mud for mud bricks. But children being children, duty soon gives way to play and we see the joy in their faces routine is broken and distraction takes over for a short while. Elegant watercolour illustrations capture these moments and children look out on the reader to show they are happy in their lives.