The Invisible

by Tom Percival

Interest age: 4 to 5

Published by Simon & Schuster, 2021

  • Picture books

About this book

Isabel and her family don’t have much money, but she loves their home and is grateful for all the things they do have. So when they’re forced to move across the city to a new neighbourhood, Isabel doesn’t feel like she belongs. It’s as though she’s becoming invisible – nobody seems to see that she’s there.

The more Isabel goes unseen, the more she begins to see the other invisible people of the city – like the man who looks after stray animals in the park, or the lady who plants flowers in paint pots. All of the invisible people in her new neighbourhood are making a difference in their own quiet way. Perhaps Isabel can too…

A beautiful, tender story about seeing the everyday beauty in the world and realising we all have the right to belong somewhere. Tom Percival’s wintery illustrations are emotive and quiet at the beginning of the story, the streets of Isabel’s strange new home isolated and dark, but filled with glorious sunny colours and life by the end as she sees people and is seen in return as someone who belongs. Compassionate, thoughtful, and a lovely story to read aloud together.

About the author

Tom Percival is well known for his Big Bright Feelings series of picture books, such as Ruby’s Worry and Ravi’s Roar. He’s written over 35 books, ranging from picture books to middle-grade novels, and illustrated more than he can remember. Tom is known for his uplifting stories and emotionally expressive illustrations.

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