The Perfect Shelter

Author: Clare Helen Welsh
Illustrator: Asa Gilland
Publisher: Little Tiger

The story opens with two sisters building a den together in the woods. They feel invincible – they are the perfect team with a perfect shelter – surely their special bond of friendship will last forever? But this is before the storm comes, the ‘river of rain’, and the lightning strike that destroys their refuge and shakes the foundations of everything they once relied upon. The older sister becomes seriously ill (cancer is implied but not specified) and is admitted to hospital. The family are knocked for six: our small protagonist is worried, angry, confused and lonely. Nothing feels right without her sister by her side. Time passes, rain makes way for a blanket of snow, and the older sister is ‘stronger and brighter’. She has energy to play and smile again, and with the loving support of the whole family, the sisters find the strength and hope to think about the future and to plan for their eagerly anticipated return to the woods.

Clare Helen Walsh is an author who does not shy away from challenging topics, but she handles them with skill and sensitivity, never losing sight of the fact that these are compelling stories as well as being a source of guidance, acknowledgement and comfort. Asa Gilland’s illustrations are exquisite. Known for her delicious colour palettes, balanced compositions and graceful figure drawing, she’s elegantly captured the close family bond, the change of emotions and the seasons, and the natural environments so important to the girls in the story.

The messages we found in this book:

Acknowledgement:

Adults sometimes try to protect children from things that they feel might worry them. The girl sensed that something was wrong with her sister before she was told.
At first, the protagonist believes that everything can be ‘fixed’ and put right. As her sister’s illness goes on, she finds it very hard to deal with the fact that she’s still in hospital and can’t get better and come home.
She feels overwhelmed with a mixture of emotions: anger, sadness, fear – and strongly feels the ‘unfairness’ of the situation (“Why MY sister?”, “How did it get there?”)
Her anxiety begins to supersede everything; she loses her motivation to do everyday things. She finds it hard to be separated from her sister.

Guidance:

Sometimes it takes time to adapt to a new situation. The girl’s initial confusion, anxiety and anger eventually become easier to cope with, and she starts to accept the reality of her sister’s illness.
A strong family bond can help you through difficult times.
The treatment for and recovery from a serious illness can take a long time.

Hope & Inspiration:

Although the book doesn’t specify whether or not the sister makes a full recovery from her illness, towards the end of the story she is ‘stronger and brighter’ and is able to play with her sister again. They are optimistic and hopeful for the future, planning to re-build their shelter.