This is the fictionalized story of "Yula", a character inspired by a real girl Sharon Jennings met in her visits to the Hope Development Centre in Kenya. When four-year-old Yula is discovered by the orphanage director "Mum" and introduced to a caring home and school, her abilities develop as do her understandings of how to care for others. When a new child enters the orphanage, at first Yula is angry and jealous, but soon she warmly welcomes Mutuku just as she had been welcomed when she first arrived. Eva Campbell's evocative illustrations glow with light and colour, rendered in gouache, acrylic and ink on canvas.
Sharon Jennings is a greatly appreciated return visitor to this centre in Kikima, Kenya. The children and staff enjoy her visits and consider her a member of their Hope family. The story has been shared with the children and the Centre has given Sharon permission and thanks for telling this story; a portion of the author's royalties is going to support the orphaned and impoverished Children of Hope.
Sharon Jennings has written over sixty books for young people — picture books, chapter books, novels for reluctant readers, middle grade novels and screenplays. Based in Toronto, Canada, she teaches writing at Ryerson University, works as a freelance editor and manuscript reviewer, and gives workshops and speeches across the country. Her most recently published books include Unravel, Tornado and The Happily Ever Afternoon. She lives in Toronto, Ontario.
Eva Campbell was born in Ghana and spent her childhood in Barbados and Jamaica. She studied painting at the College of Art in Ghana the University of Victoria. Eva has had numerous art exhibitions in Canada, the United States, Ghana, Barbados, and Britain. She is the illustrator of many books for young readers including Africville and Two Drops of Brown in a Cloud of White.
"Sharon Jennings bases this moving story on real people and places she visits in Kenya. The distinct narrative voice is compelling and immersive… Eva Campbell's realistic acrylic and ink paintings capture many tender scenes between Mum and Yula. When a new little boy arrives, Yula's range of emotions is palpable, from tear-stained jealousy to anger and insecurity, to resilience and open-armed acceptance."
— Canadian Children's Book News
"A perfect story to help children learn about the importance of opening their hearts."
— Kirkus Reviews
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