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A New Day for Umwell the Gray

By Nathaniel Jenks
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
A New Day for Umwell the Gray by Nathaniel Jenks is a charming children's story about a young elephant named Umwell navigating the challenges of feeling different from his peers. Driven by his grey-coloured appearance, which he believes makes him less vibrant, Umwell embarks on a heartwarming journey of self-discovery and acceptance. This delightful tale gently imparts lessons of self-esteem and the importance of friendship.
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Format: Hardback
$3599
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this delightful children's book if you love heartwarming tales filled with magical adventures. It beautifully follows a charming character on a journey of self-discovery and friendship, appealing to young readers who appreciate whimsical storytelling and imaginative worlds.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

William lives in a gray world. His moods, his thoughts, even most of his clothes are gray. But one gray morning, a mysterious girl appears.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Her name is Purple, and she is the only dash of colour in William's grey yard. She asks his name, and when he answers "Um, well…," she dubs him Umwell the Gray, then leads him on an exploration of a world that is always new and beautiful to eyes that can see.

This story is a celebration of the ever-present newness and change around and within us. Because newness is more readily discernible in nature than in human lives, the story relies on Purple's guidance through the natural world to build a bridge to William's inner world.

Umwell the Gray can't see what Purple sees in a falling leaf, a cloud, a swirling stream, a tidepool. She is demanding, challenging, frustrating, but compelling. Though he doesn't understand her, he wants to be around her. Bit by bit the world comes to life for him, and as it does, Rebecca Evans's palette evolves from grey to multihued.

At last Umwell becomes William, but a different William than he was before. He is a new boy, looking out upon a new world.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780884489443

Publisher: Tilbury House,U.S.

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 16 June 2023

Country: United States

Imprint: Tilbury House,U.S.

Illustration: color throughout

Contributors:

  • Illustrated by Rebecca Evans

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 10.0mm

Width: 226.0mm

Height: 287.0mm

Weight: 430g

Collections

Children's Books Children's Fiction Children’s, Teenage and Educational Nathaniel Jenks Young Adult

About the Author

Nathaniel Jenks has always found peace and inspiration in the natural world and hopes to convey through his children's stories the intuition that not only are people a part of the natural world, but it is also a part of us, woven inextricably into our being. An outdoor and sports writer, this is his first children’s book. Rebecca Evans worked for nine years as an artist and designer before returning to her first love: children’s book illustration and writing. Her books include Someday I’ll Fly; Friends in Fur Coats; The Shopkeeper’s Bear; Naughty Nana; Mei Ling in China; Finding the Speed of Light (starred review, Kirkus); and Alone Like Me (starred review, Kirkus). She lives in Maryland with her husband and four young children, teaches art at the Chesapeake Center for the Creative Arts, and works from her home studio whenever time permits. Rebecca’s boundless imagination enjoys free rein at www.rebeccaevans.net.

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