Hope Is The Thing

A highly original, beautiful and deeply meaningful picture book that sees the marvellous and inspiring world of birds through the eyes of a child and celebrates birds' adaptability and ingenuity.


WINNER: 2024 CBCA Book of the Year, Award for New Illustrator


A 2023 Listener NZ Top Children's Book 


Hope is a kookaburra singing the sun

Hope is the emu learning to run 


Let your imagination soar in this joyful ode to the world of birds and the healing power of nature.


Sparked by the Emily Dickinson poem 'Hope is the thing with feathers', this lyrical text accompanied by glorious mixed media collages reflects and celebrates the diversity, ingenuity and wonder of birds. 


Praise for Hope is the Thing 


'The uplifting words, efficiently conveying the birds' various behaviours and habitats, are melodious and dynamic, and work as the best picture books do: creating an entertaining, immersive experience while gently nudging at something larger. A gorgeous book.' Australian Birdlife 


'This is a beautiful poem about hope and features some of Australia's most beautiful and well-known birds. I can't put my finger on exactly what it is that keeps drawing me back to this stunning creation, but I absolutely love it.' Narissa Leung, ozlitteacher


'It is a beautiful book and one that is to be treasured and loved and I think it is one that we can all get something out of. It is filled with joy and creativity, exploring different ways of bringing hope to life for readers and what the world and nature can help us do.' The Book Muse


'The illustrations are marvellously executed, drawing the eyes to the multitude of media used in the collages ... [a] positively glowing book.' Fran Knight, ReadPlus


'A celebration of hope and renewal ... Each spread immerses the reader in a bird's journey from soaring over sunlit beaches to nestling in grassy plains or scavenging in city bins making every page an artwork in its own right. Together, they form a unified sequence that gives the poetic narrative wings, elevating the text to new heights.' CBCA Judges' report