The Map of Me

The map in this story continues to grow and it becomes a way of imagining every wonderful thing that is possible: a way of recording, but also a way of dreaming. This lovely story offers the gentle message that we can build a better future for ourselves and the world. -- Alice Ellerby * JUNO Magazine *
Beautiful pencil artwork highlights the patchwork of spaces, places, and people that populate our lives. Meaning making is at the heart of Welsh Children's Laureate Davies' story that our sense of home is ever growing and evolving. -- Ruth Concannon * Irish Examiner *
This hope-filled book is an absolute gift for anxious seven to nine-year-olds. Strikingly illustrated by Olga Shtonda, it gives us a little girl agonising over change, loss, and fear of the unknown. She finds comfort in maps drawn by her parents, which show that even in the dark days a better future is possible. * Sunday Post *
Some stories are so beautifully told that they speak directly to you - and The Map of Me is one of them. . .Using maps to create a picture of the past and, in this case, helping the little girl to cope with feelings of grief and loss is so sensitively and thoughtfully presented. It also enables children to develop their sense of the lives of others, expanding their view beyond the 'lens of self' stage and developing empathy and understanding. -- Sue Wilsher * ReadingZone *
This book would be a great tool in a primary classroom for mapping students' worlds - even their past. The end spread is an activity for mapping the future, and there's a QR code for more activities. The illustrations by Olga Shtondawill give plenty of inspiration. * BookTrust *
Mapping out your new home, your old home, and even the world of your future home, becomes a moving story in a beautifully imagined and created picture book from Children's Laureate of Wales Nicola Davies. The Map of Me - filled with the richly detailed and exquisite illustrations of Ukrainian illustrator Olga Shtonda - gently explores change, connection, and imagining a better world. -- Pam Norfolk * Yorkshire Evening Post *
An invaluable book in so many ways. . .This is a lovely gentle story about resilience. . . At the back of the book there are some really lovely suggestions for children to make their own maps, which will be useful at home and in the class. Children will no doubt be encouraged in their creativity by the lovely artwork which complements the sensitive and thoughtful text. -- Joy Court * LoveReading4Kids *
This beautiful picture book does so much in just a few pages. It is a book about home, about feeling connected - to people and to our past. It is also hopeful, looking to map a bright future. . . There are fantastic curriculum links to this book, and teachers will feel inspired to use it in Geography (e.g.creating your own local area maps) and in PSHE to learn about navigating change and challenges. It could also be used when thinking about Climate Change and a vision for the future. * Books for Topics *
This highly imaginative, touching and useful picture book is ideal to read and discuss with EYFS classes. Highly recommended. -- Tom Tolkien * The School Reading List *
A beautiful story that will be enjoyed by very young readers, this isn't just about moving home but dealing with life in general. . .the author's powerful text is complemented perfectly by Olga Shtonda's wonderful artwork, which adds hugely to the pleasure of reading this title. * World's Smallest Library *
So gently and carefully told, making it perfect to share simply as a lovely story, but something which could be used to support children (or indeed adults) in a number of different situations. * Through the Bookshelf *
With its empowering message, this is a story both for children experiencing big change in their lives and for sharing with a primary class to encourage discussion on belonging and relating to others. * Red Reading Hub *
While we have maps to help us locate ourself in space and place, we can also have maps that locate us in time and in relationships. . . and these are the very ideas that underpin Nicola Davies' excellent new book, The Map of Me. . . The story is beautifully illustrated by Olga Shtonda, an award-winning Ukrainian artist, who brings Nicola Davies' words vividly to life. -- Karen Argent * The Letterpress Project *