I received the ARC from the author for an honest review. I highly recommend “Feeling Hopeful” for young readers. The story tells of Hope, a dragon that flies through the sky, protecting those below. But when he meets Fear, a monstrous creature that haunts children, he discovers that defeating Fear takes more than just physical strength.
The story teaches children the importance of courage and the value of seeking wisdom and knowledge from others. The use of a wise old creature, the Reader, as a character in the story is a great touch, as it highlights the importance of reading and learning.
The illustrations in the book are beautiful and complement the text perfectly. The images are engaging and capture the essence of the story’s themes of fear, hope, and bravery.
Laura Wippell is an Australian author and educator living beneath Chile’s majestic Andes Mountains. In 2022, Laura made her lifelong dream of becoming a children’s writer a reality when she won the 2022 Bee Ethicool author competition, where her story, Feeling Hopeful, received more than 5000 votes.
Her debut title, Feeling Hopeful, will be released in 2023.
Stella Mongodi (Illustrator)
Stella Mongodi is an extraordinarily talented Italian illustrator currently living in the UK. She’s best known for her incredibly detailed and life-like drawings. Feeling Hopeful is her fifteenth children’s book.
You can connect with Laura Wippell here:
IG: @laura.wippell
Connect with the illustrator, Stella Mongodi, here.
This looks like a great book! Congrats, Laura and Stella!