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The Gargoyle

By Zana Fraillon
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4.46 goodreads logo

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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
In The Gargoyle by Zana Fraillon, the story follows young protagonists as they encounter a peculiar gargoyle, embarking on a magical journey where they explore themes of friendship, courage, and embracing differences. Set against a richly imaginative landscape, the children face enchanting challenges that inspire them to discover bravery and understanding amidst the unknown. This captivating children's book seamlessly blends fantasy elements with poignant life lessons, making it an engaging read for young audiences.
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Format: Hardback
$5800

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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 book if you are drawn to stories that blend magical realism with heartfelt themes. It's perfect for readers who appreciate a tale that explores friendship, bravery, and the power of imagination, making it an enchanting choice for children and adults alike.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

The poignant story of an old gargoyle, forced off his rooftop to make way for a new urban development in a barren cityscape, and the child who encounters him on an overcrowded train, from one of Australia's most critically acclaimed writers for children.

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
He's old, this gargoyle. Very old. Older than me. Older than anyone. He looks tired. If I had a seat, I would give it to him.

He shuffles past me and stands near the door and watches the city smushing past.

I think I hear him sigh. An echoey, achy, hollow sort of sigh, like the wind when it gusts down lanes and through tunnels and in and out of the big drains that stretch under the city.

This is the moving story of an old gargoyle, forced off his rooftop to make way for a new development in a barren cityscape, and the child who encounters him on an overcrowded train. When the gargoyle is ordered off the train, he leaves his suitcase behind. The child opens the case and unleashes the gargoyle's many memories of the city and its inhabitants. When the case crumbles, leaving nothing but a small seed, the child decides to find a place to bring the gargoyle, and the soul of the city, back.

An unforgettable story about conservation, ageing and legacies which will leave a forever imprint on your heart.

Praise for The Gargoyle:

'A sympathetically written and beautifully poignant story' Schooldaysmagazine.com

'Leaves a lasting impression of hope and kindness for our world and all its beings . . . Lyrically sensational . . . striking artwork . . . An exquisite legacy' Books+Publishing

'This is a heartfelt tale with lots of interesting ideas to unpack and at its core a simple plea for kindness and compassion' ReadPlus

'The Gargoyle is a picture book that deserves a place on every child's bookshelf. It is a book that will spark imagination and curiosity, as well as empathy and compassion' Better Reading

'A touching story about conservation, ageing, kindness and legacy' Readings, Best Picture Books of 2023

'An intriguing, moving story about the transformative powers of empathy' The Age

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780734421241

Publisher: Hachette Australia

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 28 June 2023

Country: Australia

Imprint: Lothian Books

Contributors:

  • Illustrated by Ross Morgan
  • Illustrated by Ross Morgan

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 10.0mm

Width: 224.0mm

Height: 288.0mm

Weight: 400g

Pages: 32

Collections

Children's Books Children's Picture Books Children’s, Teenage and Educational Zana Fraillon

About the Author

Zana Fraillon (Author)

Zana Fraillon (she/they) is an internationally acclaimed, multi-award-winning author of books for children and young adults.

Zana's books have won the Amnesty CILIP Honour Award, the ABIA Book of the Year for Older Children, the Readings YA Prize, NSW Premier's Literary Awards and the CBCA Honour Book Award. The Bone Sparrow was chosen as the biennial book to represent Australia for the International Board on Books for Young People.

Zana was born and lives in Naarm (Melbourne), but spent her early childhood in San Francisco. She has degrees in history and teaching and is undertaking a PhD in Creative Writing at La Trobe University.

Ross Morgan (Illustrator)

Ross Morgan is a fine artist and illustrator from Adelaide, South Australia. From an early age, Ross enjoyed exploring the rural environment filled with creatures, abandoned structures and objects of yesteryear. He also practised drawing, painting, and arts and crafts projects at the kitchen table, encouraged by his mother. These early experiences were key in establishing his life-long interest in drawing and painting.

He completed a Bachelor of Visual Arts at the University of South Australia in 2000. Since then, he has been exhibiting in solo and group exhibitions and running an independent studio practice.

Some of Ross's major awards include being selected as a semi-finalist in Doug Moran National Portrait Prize (2014), a three-time finalist in the Kennedy Art Prize (2017, 2018 and 2021) and winner of the John Shaw Neilson Acquisitive Art Prize in 2015. In 2019, Ross won Raising Literacy Australia's Emerging Author and Illustrator Mentoring Project. This led to his first illustrated book, Molly Moores has a House Like Yours, written by Kaliah Tsakalidis and published in 2020. In 2021, he was shortlisted for the SCBWI Australian Picture Book Illustrator Award as an Emerging Illustrator.

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