Jem is the kind of boy who can’t sit still. His feet and body want to be busy and without meaning to, he is sometimes clumsy and even
disruptive in class at school. Now, since he moved from his family flat in the city to a small rural cottage, he is missing his friends and the city sounds.
Jem’s little sister Verity has settled in much easier. They used to be close, often spending time together, but that’s somehow changed – especially when she comes home talking of small, black, fuzzy creatures that live under the hill beside their cottage. Called Noukas, they are renowned for causing trouble and mischief. Jem scoff’s at Verity’s stories, but then… strange things have been happening around their new home.
One day at school Jem learns their hill used to be a volcano, filled with vents, lava and steam. This captures Jem’s interest and he works hard on his homework that night. This is more his thing, not furry make-believe things called Noukas.
Meanwhile, far below Jem’s feet, something has woken. It is ancient. Much older than the town and anyone who has lived there. Stories of it have been passed down through generations, and despite many humans like Jem scoffing at its existence, it knows and understands humans well. It decides to explore, venturing out of its underground home into the human’s world. It can sense something sad in the cottage that sits quietly in the dusk…
Told directly to the reader in a storyteller style, The Boy Who Lost His Spark is not only sumptuously illustrated, it feels like a fairytale. A young boy, unhappy with his new life away from all he knows, is determined to be angry and sad at all around him.
The shift from this gloomy state to one of wonder is glorious to read and see on the page. There is pure joy as his heart lifts and his connection with his sister is rekindled. Appreciation for his new home is sparked too, all by a small, ancient, mischievous but understanding creature.
In the rear of the book is a song sung by this magical creature (in English), and again in Gaelic. The music for the tune that changes Jem’s life is also shared to readers.
This long-form hardback picture book will make a gorgeous gift for any child 5 – 8 years old as a read-a-loud or something they can explore and treasure all to themselves.
Author – Maggie O’Farrell
Illustrator – Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini
Long form picture book
Age – 5-8
(2022, Walker Books, Family, Moved House, New Home, City to Country, Little Sister, Mythical Creatures, School, Mischief, Tricks, Strange, Belief, Unsettled, Ireland, Storyteller, Gaelic, Song, Fantasy, Magic, Mystery)