Jack's Jumper

A sweet story about the bond between brothers and the sentimental value of sharing with your siblings.

Jack’s jumper is special because it can be many things – a den, a hat, a hug – but most of all it is special because it belonged to Jack’s big brother, Paul. Jack wears the jumper every day, but when forced to take it off to have a bath, the cat sees a comfy new bed...

“This book is beautifully gentle and evocative story captures the joyful brotherly connection, even when there is a rather large age gap. The cheekiness of cats, and the creativity of people to come up with solutions that will make something new and just as magical, that will reinforce the brotherly connection that Jack and Patrick have. This delightful book captured my imagination and is one of those comforting reads that reassures us that there is often a solution when things don't go our way, or when they break. It's a touching story that can help settle anxiety in people of all ages - it made me feel calmer about things whilst reading it. It is also a great book to help build reading confidence in early readers, or to read as a family. It makes it perfect for all ages, and has the feeling of a future classic. The words and illustrations work perfectly together, and come to life, dancing off the page.”

Jack's jumper is far too big for him (it once belonged to his beloved big brother Paul, who has grown up and is rarely home anymore) but that's half the fun of it. It can be a cave, an elephant costume, a hug, a soft cushion for a fall-all the adventures a little boy and his cat could want. But one day his cat decides the jumper might be more fun as a ball of yarn, unravelling the entire thing. Luckily Paul comes to the rescue, secretly knitting the yarn back into a jumper, now the perfect size for Jack, with enough left over to make a cushion for the cat's newly arrived surprise kittens. The sweet gesture reiterates the loving relationship between the brothers and the fact that such connections are not damaged by absence. The light-touch watercolours capture perfectly the safe, comforting tone of a naive childhood where imagination is all, and life is marred only by brief and minor glitches easily repaired by loved and trusted older siblings. While there is plenty of text on each page, it flows easily and smoothly, and is an amiable little journey for the very young (readers aged three and up). The re-knitted jumper and the fact that it is no longer too big for Jack symbolise the gradual growth and change inherent in children's daily lives, demonstrating that such change need not be upsetting. Anica Boulanger-Mashberg is a freelance editor, writer and reviewer, and has worked as a bookseller at The Hobart Bookshop for over 15 years.

Sara Acton is an award-winning author and illustrator of over 20 books for children. She lives on the Central Coast of NSW with one husband, two children, a mischievous dog and a cat called Poppy, who’s definitely in charge.

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