The Notted Island
A spunky girl saves her town’s night sky in Katherine Child’s wonder-filled fantasy novel The Notted Island.
The rest of the world has been visited by long-awaited Colour, but Last Island remains in black and white. To complicate matters, the island is at odds with Nott, the resident notte responsible for drawing across, or “notting,” their night sky each evening. When a slick-talking salesman arrives promising that an automated sky will end their woes, Tisky senses a trap. She sets out to find Nott and rescue Last Island’s beloved night sky.
Tisky exudes curiosity and passion. She navigates the bumps of childhood with earnestness. From pretending to be an owl to absconding with the salesman’s paperwork, she is a constant source of amusement. Her deep love for her island and sky propels the story toward success.
Lush Last Island is an apt setting for Tisky’s adventure. Whimsical prose and witty conversations flesh out the night sky’s “sleepy star-filled mornings” and “midnight milk bottle clinks of in between,” while fantastical creatures act as friends or foils for Tisky. Lemon-scented listenberries eavesdrop; starry nightjar birds roost in the speckled night. Indeed, a delightful motley crew aids Tisky, including Kuu the dog, who’s in charge of lunar operations; three forlorn river sprites; and Jink, the rambunctious sundial shadow.
Expressive illustrations further enliven the story. They start off in black and white but gain color toward the book’s close. In one, townspeople ooh and aah beneath a glimmering automated sky. In another, Tisky bobs in a boat guided by a bright-eyed seal.
In the enchanting illustrated fantasy novel The Notted Island, a girl works to save the sky and find new friends.
Reviewed by
Vivian Turnbull
Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The publisher of this book provided free copies of the book to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. No fee was paid by the publisher for this review. Foreword Reviews only recommends books that we love. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
