Review of ‘The Tender Moments of Saffron Silk’
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Title: ‘The Tender Moments of Saffron Silk’
Author: Glenda Millard
Illustrator: Stephen Michael King
Themes: family, feelings, illness, acceptance, love, strength, courage, imagination, responsibility, siblings, reading.
Publisher: ABC Books
Age Range: Middle Primary – Adult
I get quite nervous every time the next in the ‘Kingdom of Silk’ series is released…just in case it’s not as good as all the rest. It is a silly worry really as the Stephen Michael King/Glenda Millard team can do no wrong.
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I am pleased to report that ‘The Tender Moments of Saffron Silk’ is just as wonderful as the other five ‘Kingdom of Silk’ books…I laughed, cried and stayed up late until I’d read the entire book, just as I have with all the others. This is one of my picks for being shortlisted in this years Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Awards in the Younger Readers category. Prove me wrong judges…I dare you.
EDIT-IT WAS CBCA SHORT LISTED 9.4.13 – THANK YOU JUDGES!
For such slim novels, all in this series manage to fit so much beauty in. They are full of love, and of sorrow. Firmly based in reality, and yet they take the reader on the most fantastical, gentle, whimsical journey. I have been fortunate enough to meet author Glenda Millard and she is a fantastical, gentle, whimsical person so it’s little wonder that the books are as lovely as they are. Stephen Michael King is an inspired choice as illustrator – I have adored his work ever since I set eyes on ‘Henry and Amy’ and it is still one of my all-time favourite books – I gave that book to Dan as a wedding gift…I am Amy, he is Henry.
The entire series centres on an uncommon sort of a family: the Silk family. Each book stands alone, and reading order is recommended but not at all necessary. The different books each tell the story of a family member or person associated with the family. This latest one is about Saffron Silk, one of the rainbow girls, the others being Scarlet, Indigo, Violet and Amber.
Saffron Silk is the youngest of the Silk sisters. She has saffron coloured hair and she adores playing/being/entering the world of characters from literature or history such as Anne of Green Gables and Cleopatra. Saffron is excellent at pretending to be someone else and sharing her talent with others, but when the firebirds rage in her head…Saffron cannot find the words to express her pain to her family. Saffron is so very frightened…of what the pain might be and what the hospital tests might uncover.
Through her journey Saffron holds on to the tender moments that have always meant to much to her: tiny tender moments ‘that make the soul tipsy with ordinary happiness.’
If you have not entered the magical, gentle, tender, whimsical world that is the ‘Kingdom of Silk’ click very fast now.
Series Order:
‘Plum Puddings and Paper Moons’
‘The Tender Moments of Saffron Silk’
‘Nell’s Festival of Crisp Winter Glories’
My favourite quote from the series concerns reading:
“From the moment her daughters were born, Nell read to them. It didn’t matter that they didn’t understand the words. Books are many things: lullabies for the weary, ointment for the wounded, armour for the fearful and nests for those in need of a home.”
Page 39, ‘The Tender Moments of Saffron Silk’.
Follow it up in the home, classroom or library:
I’m not even going to try and outdo the wonderful Robyn Sheahan-Bright who has written some fantastic teacher notes for this book. Sometimes it is just nice to find the work already done for you huh? The Tender Moments of Saffron Silk Teachers Notes
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Looking for more great book reviews and recommendations? I’m Megan Daley and you can find out more about me here.
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Loved your review of ‘The Tender Moments of Saffron Silk’. But wait, just wait, for the final book in the series (yes, final, sob!): ‘The Festival of Crisp Winter Glories’. It is, as would be expected, tender, moving and fabulous. A wonderful finale to this beautiful series. Publishing soon. Margaret Hamilton.
Margaret! Don’t dangle the book title in front of me like that! Sadly I do not have an advance copy of this one…do you know when it will be out? Oh what a gorgeous title. I know all good things must come to an end but I do wish The Silk Series could go on a little longer! I can’t WAIT for the final sob…this is probably my favourite series EVER.
I’m afraid I misled you a little about Glenda Millard’s new book. The title is actually ‘Nell’s Festival of Crisp Winter Glories’. Nell is the focus of this last book in the series. It will be published in April. You’ll cry buckets, but with a warm and lovely feeling.
I can also cope with that title, so long as I get my hands on the book SOON! xxx LOVE your site BTW Margaret.
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