The Dam by David Almond - ESSENTIAL

The Dam by David Almond, illustrated by Levi Pinfold.  PICTURE BOOK. Candlewick Press, 2018.  $18.  9780763695972

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL– ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Based on a true story about the Kielder Dam constructed in Northumberland, England in 1981. Kathryn and her father return to the valley that will soon be flooded and visit every home to fill it with music one more time. This music will still be there, even when the valley is filled with water. 

I loved the illustrations in this book because of the progression of dark sad colors to bright hopeful colors. I like the message of hope even when things are changing around you. Even with the dam destroying the homes and life in the valley, they still talk about their music still being there. I think this may be a hard book to understand without the background for younger kids. I really appreciated the explanation in the back that shared the history about the Kielder Dam. 

SLM