Ella and Star (Michelle Wanasundera & Nichole Wade, Little Pink Dog)

The word ‘heartfelt’ is what comes to mind upon closing the pages of Ella and Star. The winning team of Michelle Wanasundera and Nichole Wade, along with creative small press Little Pink Dog Books, has produced a timely story of friendships in all shapes and sizes that highlights how change doesn’t necessarily have to be a bad thing. Bonny and her best friend Ella are inseparable until the day Ella moves away. Alone for the first time, and unsure what to do now without her, Bonny becomes a little despondent—no more dancing in the leaves or watching fizzing fireworks with Ella; no one who understands Bonny’s sensory needs. New neighbours Mr and Mrs Tan move in next door to Ella’s old house but it’s hard to adjust at first. That is, until Bonny finds a magic star that leads to exciting discoveries and colour comes back into her world. Then, thanks to a wish upon the lucky star, Bonny meets a new friend and realises there’s a special way to keep Ella in her life, even if she has moved a long way away. A sensitive and moving story for ages 6–9, Ella and Star highlights all the different forms that friendship can take and illustrates how being brave when experiencing new things can lead to magic in real life.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Brenton Cullen is a freelance writer and reviewer with over 10 years’ experience working in bookshops. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

Category: Reviews