Too Many Acorns

The softly drawn illustrations in this gentle picture book perfectly reflect the delicate nature of the story. The young boy has lost his mother, and although it is not explicitly stated, an adult reader would assume that his mother has died. However, it is dealt with so subtly that a younger audience may not pick up on this or think his mother has just gone away.

Many children will relate to Patrick's habit of 'collecting'. I remember having a stick pile outside our back door when my daughter was younger as she brought one back from every walk or river visit we went on.

Patrick's acorn growing into a seedling at the end of the story can be seen as a reflection of the hope he begins to feel. The reader wishes his happiness will continue to grow as the seedling continues to grow and that his heart will be lighter than it was at the start of the story.

For children to understand the full complexities the story intends to portray, it may be important for an adult to share the story so that it can be discussed and unpacked, and more than one reading may be optimal.

Even children who do not register the passing of the mother are likely to appreciate the message that although children are sometimes sad, it's possible to come through that sadness and feel happier in time. This story can therefore be enjoyed on various levels, depending on the age and experience of the children it is being shared with.