The Fix-It Man
Published on 1. March 2017
Book
Hardback
32 pages
978-1-925335-34-7 (ISBN)
Description
It's handy having a dad who can fix just about anything. A young girl believes her father is the king of fixing things. But following the death of her mother, she discovers that broken hearts are not as easy to repair as damaged toys and cracked teapots. Together, she and her father find a way to glue back the pieces of her lives. The Fix-It Man is a poignant picture book that explores how a child can cope with the loss of a parent (in this case, the young girl's mother). Repairing damaged emotions is not as straightforward as gluing a broken kite back together or sewing up a torn toy. And grief affects all members of a family, with each responding in their own way to the loss. By sticking with her father, the young girl is able to strengthen her resilience and ability to cope with one of life's harshest experiences. The author was encouraged to seek publication for this story after receiving the endorsement of several grief counsellors who work with children and who recognised the need for a book such as this.
Reviews / Votes
"Beautifully written and illustrated, The Fix-It Man is a valuable tool for educators, parents, schools and all parents ... We are excited to add this deeply touching story to our resources to help grieving children heal." * Deirdre Hanna, Founder and Board Director - Hopewell Hospice Services Inc. and Paradise Kids * "The Fix-It Man is a story that reflects the challenges of losing a loved one, acknowledging that there is a pain which cannot be fixed, but also acknowledging that with love and support, a child can move forward after a major loss. Many people avoid the topic of death, but in this book it is addressed respectfully and sensitively, and I believe that this will be a wonderful resource for those helping children deal with grief and loss." * Sally-Anne McCormack, Melbourne-based Child & Adolescent Psychologist and author * "This is a poignant story of loss and one that will resonate with many children who have lost a parent or other loved one. With its gentle text and soft palette, even though it is sad it is not gloomy because the love between this family oozes from the page and from that, the hope is tangible." * The Bottom Shelf * "Poignant, perfectly pitched and picture perfect" * Boomerang Books * "A fantastic book for those wanting to help teach their child about loss." * In The Good Books * "Teachers agreed this would be a wonderful resource for a child dealing with loss with its gentle approach." * Jnr Bookworms * "This story will pull at the heart strings and prompt conversations otherwise hidden beneath broken hearts." * Creative Kids Tales * "Compelling Children's Book" * Gold Coast Bulletin * "A beautiful way to talk about loss and grief" * Disney Princesses Magazine * "Written with great compassion by Dimity Powell and beautifully illustrated by Nicky Johnston 'The Fix-It Man' is a perfect read for families going through a difficult time of grieving." * Hip Little One * "In The Fix-It Man, author Dimity Powell and illustrator Nicky Johnston have created a truly beautiful book to help kids with their emotional needs around loss." * The Mummy Project * "The Fix-It Man is a thoughtful, caring, picture book story exploring how grief and loss affect a young child ... This is an important book. It's hard to discuss grief and loss with a young child. The Fix-It Man provides a way to do that." * Sunday Telegraph *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New Zealand
Publishing group
Exisle Publishing
Target group
Children/juvenile
Interest Age: From 4 to 8 years
Product notice
Picture book
sewn/stitched
Cloth over boards
Dimensions
Height: 261 mm
Width: 251 mm
Thickness: 10 mm
Weight
432 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-925335-34-7 (9781925335347)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Dimity Powell writes for children because she would secretly love to be one again. To support this fantasy she produces sometimes silly, sometimes sad, always sparkly stories for school magazines, anthologies, online apps as creative digital content, and as junior novels and picture books. Many of her stories have been shortlisted or won awards including her digital narrative, The Chapel of Unlove for the Story City App, shortlisted for the Western Australian Premier's Book Awards 2016. Two of her picture books feature on the Kindergo App and appear as part of Virgin Australia's Inflight Children's Entertainment Program. PS Who Stole Santa's Mail? filled the Christmas stockings of children everywhere for the first time in 2012. At the End of Holyrood Lane is her second picture book with EK Books. The Fix-It Man, also illustrated by Nicky Johnston, debuted in 2017. Dimity is also Managing Editor of highly respected children's literature website Kids' Book Review, and a Books in Homes role model. Her past adventures include skiing the French Alps, Kombiing around a quarter of Australia, spotting manatees in Florida, and getting lost in the Bermuda Triangle. She's tried a few grown-up jobs, but thinks it's more fun writing for children now because she believes that great stories - like ice-cream - are life essentials. One day, she would love to travel to Lapland and meet Santa for real.
Nicky Johnston is an award-winning children's book author and illustrator. She has several bestselling titles published in Australia and overseas, including At the End of Holyrood Lane, The Fix-It Man, Grandma Forgets, The Incredibly Busy Mind of Bowen Bartholomew Crisp, Saying Goodbye to Barkley, This is My Dad and Upside-Down Friday, all published by EK Books. Nicky's illustration style is often described as whimsical, playful, narrative, emotive and colourful. She loves to work in watercolour, ink, pencils and pastel. As a primary teacher and acclaimed presenter, Nicky's love of books sees her thoroughly enjoy taking illustrator workshops and visiting schools regularly. She is passionate about inspiring young children with a love for reading, writing and drawing, encouraging them to use their imagination and develop their own ideas. Nicky lives by the beach with her husband and four sons.
Nicky Johnston is an award-winning children's book author and illustrator. She has several bestselling titles published in Australia and overseas, including At the End of Holyrood Lane, The Fix-It Man, Grandma Forgets, The Incredibly Busy Mind of Bowen Bartholomew Crisp, Saying Goodbye to Barkley, This is My Dad and Upside-Down Friday, all published by EK Books. Nicky's illustration style is often described as whimsical, playful, narrative, emotive and colourful. She loves to work in watercolour, ink, pencils and pastel. As a primary teacher and acclaimed presenter, Nicky's love of books sees her thoroughly enjoy taking illustrator workshops and visiting schools regularly. She is passionate about inspiring young children with a love for reading, writing and drawing, encouraging them to use their imagination and develop their own ideas. Nicky lives by the beach with her husband and four sons.