Circle (Jeannie Baker, Walker Books)

This extraordinary picture book is yet another masterpiece from the creator of the award-winning Where the Forest Meets the Sea and Mirror. The deceptively simple story is about the migration of bar-tailed godwits, which make the longest unbroken journey of any migrating animal in the world, following ancient, invisible pathways. The godwits’ journey is bookended by the story of a boy in a wheelchair who dreams of flying and wishes he could join the migrating birds that he loves to observe. Jeannie Baker’s collage artwork is magnificent. Her depiction of the birds in flight and the many and varied landscapes they cross is stunningly detailed, inviting long contemplation and repeat viewing. Her use of mixed media is breathtakingly graphic, almost tactile, and the overriding text is poetic, evocative and moving. The understated design allows the illustrations to shine. The book ends with a godwit migration map and a note about their incredible journey and those of a number of other creatures also featured in the artwork, which will have readers inspecting the pages again to find them. Circle contains an important message about the cyclical nature of life and interdependence of all living creatures. It is highly recommended for readers aged eight and up.

Margaret Hamilton is a former children’s book publisher. She is now proprietor of Pinerolo, the Children’s Book Cottage in Blackheath, NSW

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