Title: Hiding Heidi
Author/Illustrator: Fiona Woodcock
Age Group: 2-6
Synopsis: Heidi not only loves to hide but she’s very good at it but when her talent prevents her from having fun with her friends she rethinks her approach to friendship.
The Low Down:
When I talked about Lily and Bear earlier I mentioned that the type of give and take that the main characters exhibit is essential to a good relationship. Hiding Heidi expands on that. With a bit more of complex plot this story introduces the theme of being yourself while allowing your friends the same courtesy.
Heidi is amazing at hiding and while her friends enjoy playing, they really can’t compete. Then at her birthday, she hides so well that they can’t find her. Heidi’s friends do find the birthday ice cream sundaes and party games though. By the time they do find her, it’s time to go home. Heidi realizes that by only doing what she wants, she is in fact separating herself from her friends. So at the next opportunity she encourages them to do things that they excel at. In the end, they’re all stronger friends for it. I loved how Heidi acknowledged the problem and sat and thought through the issue and how Woodcock writes that that’s what she did. It’s not just implied. At no point does Heidi give up on what makes her special either. She just chooses to recognize what makes her friends special as well. Allowing others to excel doesn’t detract from our own achievements and Heidi embraces that in such a way that young ones can follow her example even if they don’t fully understand the implications.
Woodcock accompanies these life lessons with some truly lovely pages. Her sweet style allows the reader to easily focus on the important components of the illustrations while being able to enjoy the creativity and thoughtfulness that went into each drawing. Heidi and her friends shine with the genuine sweet simplicity that they exhibit through their text and in their depiction. Heidi has the most adorable outfits and they’re perfectly and conveniently paired with each situation she encounters. The light use of color just makes each segment that more special. Whatever Woodcock used to achieve this effect, it is enchanting and when paired with the deceptively light text it makes for a book that gets under your skin in the most wonderful way. It’s a book that I know will stay on our bookshelves for years to come because of its essential message, because of its delightful illustrations, but most importantly because this combination makes it a story that will always be pertinent and beloved.
Story Tips:
- Finding Heidi is a great built-in activity for younger ones. When the audience is older you can focus on the reasoning and thoughts behind Holly’s motives.
I need more!
Hiding Heidi was Fiona Woodcock’s debut children’s book. I hope to see more from her soon. Her website is available for perusal at: http://www.fionawoodcock.com
Add to my library:
UK Amazon: Hiding Heidi
US Amazon: Hiding Heidi
