A review by sleepyshelves
Finding the Way to Faraway Valley by Cecilia Heikkila

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective slow-paced

5.0

An absolutely beautiful story about preservation, translated from the Swedish and narrated by a little bear.

Grandpa hasn’t been to Faraway Valley in quite some time, and the journey is a little treacherous, so when little bear asks about the postcard on Grandpa’s fridge, they have to start preparing right away.

I cried when they reached the empty, deforested area that Grandpa swears was once Faraway Valley.  “I think perhaps we have come too late”

  BROKE ME.

This is a beautifully told tale, definitely for the higher level reader in Picture Books. Lots of text on the page, but so incredibly gorgeous. I want to hang the artwork on my walls.

This is a gentle, enchanting read with a powerful message: nature is steadfast in its dedication to us, and we must be just as dedicated to it if we wish it to stay. This is a lullaby and a warning in one, a powerful package of a picture book (say that 3x fast!) that I’ll be keeping in mind on every hike or road trip.