April's Garden (Shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal 2024)

Shortlisted for the KPMG Children's Books Ireland Awards 2024
Shortlisted for Yoto Carnegie Medal for Illustration
Shortlisted for the British Book Awards Book of the Year 2024 – Discover.

Living in a grey and dreary room in a house that couldn't feel less like home, April dreams about how life could be. With happy, peaceful spaces. And somewhere to play. But every seed April plants refuses to take root. And her dreams start to feel hopelessly out of reach.

April's Garden is a story for anyone who, for whatever reason, fears that home is an impossible dream. And April reminds readers that even when things feel impossibly bleak, there's always something to hold on to. Hope.

Isla McGuckin is a dreamer and a writer and the proud mother of daughters. Endlessly optimistic, Isla believes that words have the power to open hearts, change minds and make the world a better place. Born and raised in urban Yorkshire, Isla is now based in rural Donegal. And living in her tiny house beside the seaside - with her much-loved family of people and pets - feels like home.

Catalina Echeverri was born in Bogotá Colombia, and now lives in London with her Northern Irish husband and their three daughters. Before settling in the UK, Catalina spent time in Italy, studying graphic design and eating pizza and ice cream whenever she could. Once she'd eaten it all, she moved to Cambridge to study children's book illustration and has worked in children's publishing ever since. Having illustrated more than 20 books in various countries, Catalina is never without her sketchbook and loves to take inspiration from everyday life. She particularly enjoys working on projects that have a positive impact on people's lives.

'April's Garden is a beautiful and moving picture book that will be loved by parents and help children going through big life changes. Isla and Catalina have created a powerful and gorgeously illustrated story full of hope, renewal and the healing power of time.' Lucy Brandt, author

'Beautiful and heartwarming.' BookTrust

'Sensitively told and unafraid to take on challenging themes, the story reminds us all of the healing power of hope, of nature and time.' Andrea Reece, LoveReading4Kids

'A story of resilience and hope, April’s Garden deals unflinchingly with life for children living in temporary accommodation.' Ruth Colcannon, Irish Examiner

'This is an incredibly touching story, navigating the nuances of displacement with understanding and hope. The illustrations are masterfully developed in the book, starting out with dull colours and gradually introducing stunningly vivid colours. A wonderful book.' Ruth Ennis, Books Ireland

'It’s definitely a must-have for the headteacher’s office' Nikki Gamble, Book Blast Premium September

'There are many discussion points in this book that would make it an excellent addition to the Early Years and KS1 classroom or home. The sensitive way the subject matter is explored makes it very accessible to young children.' Jayne Truran, Just Imagine

'A gentle, moving, evocative picturebook.' Armadillo Magazine

'A story that centres around hope, April’s Garden is a comfort blanket for those in bleak times who are struggling to see a way out.' Lights out with Louise

'This heartwarming tale beautifully explores the themes of patience and emotional growth, making it a truly delightful read.' Heidi and Her Books

'This is a lovely and important book.' Green Reads Books

'This book shines a light on what so many kids have to unfortunately go through these days and not only can help kids to understand what others go through, but it can also give kids who are going through difficult times, whatever they may be, a sense of hope that things can and usually do get better. A really lovely and powerful picture book.' Strawberry Post

'A lovely, gentle book, this is full of emotion and expresses the feelings surrounding displacement from a childs’ perspective perfectly. The sparse text is written with every word carefully chosen to give the full impact of Aprils’ experience.' Mary Esther Judy, FallenStar Stories

'Hope is key in this moving, superbly and sensitively told and illustrated story of the healing power of nature, finding solace in the seeds and renewal.' Jill Bennett, Red Reading Hub

'A story with lots of heart and hope.' Old Bookish Woman

'Beautiful book and very current with the times.' Minky Loves a Book

'Clearly, but sensitively written, this conveys the experience of living in temporary accommodation, providing both a mirror for some children to see their experiences represented and feelings validated in a picture book whilst also a mirror for other children to understand others lived experiences.' Mini Midnight Reads