When Frankie’s Mama’s vase breaks, so it seems does her family.

Dad left with his belongings and Nan came to stay, tidying the broken pieces away. Frankie knew it was a special vase – a gift from Dad to Mum and used in so many special events and daily life. But now it’s gone forever.

Frankie’s not sure what to do – until Nan suggests a trip. At the end of a drive together, Nan diverts Frankie’s sadness with new experiences, then finally reveals what she wants to show her.

In front of them both, large on a museum wall, is a beautiful mosaic. Frankie realises that each piece has been made of pieces like Mama’s broken vase, and many more pieces of ceramic. Frankie can see with her own eyes, that something broken can be remade into something beautiful. Different but wonderful. New and special.

An initially sad but gentle story about a family broken along with a special vase on a day a father leaves, and a mother retreats in her sadness.

A small girl struggles with the sudden change in family dynamics as it fractures into separate pieces. The use of mosaic art in an easily understandable way to show a child that broken things can be remade – giving her another perspective on her new situation.

This gorgeous hardback is illustrated with pastel shades and gentle smiles throughout. The Mosaic is a tender way to help young children navigate family changes and parental separation.

Author – Deborah Kelly

Illustrator – Nicky Johnston

Picture Book

(2024, Exilse Publishing, EK Books, Family separation, Coping with change, Ceramicist, Art, Remaking something, Repurposing, Confusion, Upset, Dad leaving, Nan, Nana, Grandmother, Love, Family, Understanding)