If you only purchase one children’s book this year, make it this one. The story contains a life lesson every child should learn. It is the tale of how a young child whose family is very poor and has lost their home, notices that because she now lives on a council estate no-one sees her as a person anymore. It is also the tale of one young girl realising that something needs to change because everyone is worthy and vital not just those with money.

The book begins with little Isabel living in her family home with her mum, dad, and dog. The family didn’t have much, but they had their home and each other until they could no longer pay their bills and they were moved to a high-rise block of flats on the other side of town. It is here that Isabel feels she is fading into the background, that is until she notices other people who are fading too and decides she needs to make them vibrant again.

A couple of years before I was born my parents (and siblings) were in a house fire. They lost everything and my mother had not paid that week’s house insurance as she hadn’t managed to get to the bank the day it was due, which happened to be the same night as the house fire and so the insurance refused to payout.

They were put into council housing. For a time they had nothing, they sat on paint pots used as chairs, etc. I was quite lucky that by the time I was born they were still in council housing but they had enough to see us girls right. However, my dad used to tell me ‘never let anyone look down their nose at you and never look down your nose at anyone else. No-one is above you and no-one is below you, we all deserve to be treated equally.

This is a motto I’ve used throughout my entire life and I’ve taught my children the same. Just because someone can’t afford something you have doesn’t make them less of a person and just because someone has a mansion and untold wealth doesn’t make them any better than you are.

Author Tom Percival has created a beautiful, poignant book that I feel emphasises these points well, as well as showing that sometimes it is the little things you do that can create a difference and that by coming together we can create a big difference. The people in the story might not have increased their monetary wealth but they increased their happiness and people deserve to be happy.

The writing is perfect and the illustrations are so beautiful, with their soft colours and heart-felt emotions on the characters. I truly loved this book. It is a wonderful children’s picture book that contains a powerful message that comes across strongly.