Alba the Hundred Year Old Fish

Lara Hawthorne (Author, Illustrator) Lara Hawthorne is an illustrator and author who graduated from Falmouth University in 2013. Her debut picture book, Herb, was published in 2014, followed by her illustrations for Carol Ann Duffy's The King of Christmas (Picador, 2016). Known for her delicate watercolour style, Lara draws inspiration from nature, myths and legends to create intricate small worlds. Her acclaimed titles include The Night Flower - winner of the 2020 CBHL Annual Literature Award - Alba the Hundred Year Old Fish, and the nature-themed Ratty's Big Adventure and Herbert's Garden. She has also been shortlisted for awards including the AOI's WIA and the Lowry Children's Book Prize.

If there's one prediction we'd like to make - and truly hope for it to come true - it'd be that children's books continue to comment on the massive damage we're doing to our planet, encouraging our youngsters to take a stand and do something about it - and convince their daft elders to do the same.In "Alba The Hundred Year Old Fish" by Lara Hawthorne a clear ecological message is beautifully woven into the story of Alba who loves to roam the oceans.Alba has spent her entire life collecting precious objects that drift down to the ocean floor.From delicate shells to brightly coloured coral, each year on her birthday she gathers one more precious item.But over the years, Alba notices her collection is losing its sparkle and that the world is changing.What are these bits of plastic and metal?As the coral reef fades, Alba decides to leave her home behind - and after a traumatic incident with a plastic bottle, Alba makes it her new mission in life to try and educate folk - to bring the oceans back to their former glory.After a year when the true extent of pollution in our oceans was finally brought into the public eye in the harrowing scenes witnessed in Blue Planet II, there's still a huge need for books like this. Not preachy, but full of glorious illustrations and a touching story that will really help to bring its point across.Glorious stuff.