Quick Look
- A charming story, full of warmth and heart, about a long-planned voyage to a very special place
- A celebration of adventure, nature and the special bond between grandparents and grandchildren
- Gently explores the need to protect and preserve wild spaces and natural habitats
- Gorgeous illustrations full of striking colours and textures perfectly evoke the excitement of the journey and the wonder of vast natural landscapes
Grandpa and Little Bear go on a voyage to try to find Faraway Valley. But does this beautiful, special place still exist? A heart-warming, stunningly illustrated picture book adventure with a message of preserving nature.
Description
Grandpa and Little Bear share a dream to visit Faraway Valley -- a special, hard-to-find place full of wild and wonderful creatures, a place where the air smells of pine needles, a place they've only seen on a postcard.
The determined pair study maps, read books and practice camping to prepare for their adventure, then set sail for the long journey. But when they arrive in the north, they find a bustling port full of shops, where everyone seems to have forgotten about Faraway Valley. Does the beautiful place of their dreams still exist, and can they find it?
A magical, heart-warming tale of wonder and adventure, this moving picture book gently explores themes of celebrating nature and respecting wild landscapes. Cecilia Heikkilä's stunning artwork is full of texture, colour and character.
Reviews
'A restrained, lyrical tone makes Faraway Valley magical for readers [...] A beautifully illustrated picture book with an environmental theme.'
-- Booklist, STARRED REVIEW
'This is a gentle clarion call to protect Earth's wild spaces... Its message should be heard globally, in every language. Delicately lovely watercolor, gouache, pastel, and digital illustrations capture our planet's fragile beauty. Faraway Valley is closer to home than we may realize, and we must all protect it.'
-- Kirkus Reviews
'This moving tale weaves a gentle moral of conservation through the story of a little bear's adventure with his grandfather.'
-- Foreword Reviews, STARRED REVIEW
'A timely tale about the need to protect and preserve wild spaces.'
-- School Library Journal
'Nature and wilderness appreciation is embedded in this gentle tale of appreciation and wonder.'
-- Midwest Book Review
'A book about wonder, persistence, and preservation... The detailed illustrations will captivate young minds. Little ones are sure to discover novel things within the brightly hued pages with each new and exciting read.'
-- Los Angeles Book Review
'A story of wonder and adventure. It explores themes of celebrating nature and respecting wild landscapes through the eyes of Grandpa and Little Bear.'
-- Kindling
'A lovely paean to keeping our outdoor spaces wild. The longer text is perfect for a cozy family read, and the gorgeous artwork excels at portraying the animals and beautiful forests and mountains of this special place.'
-- Youth Services Book Reviews
'This sparks the goal of sharing a long journey, during which grandfather and child study up on their beautiful destination and wonder, together, if it will truly be as enchanting as the postcard. Nature and wilderness appreciation is embedded in this gentle tale of appreciation and wonder.'
-- Midwest Book Review
'Created with watercolor, gouache, pastels, and digital techniques, the artwork pays tribute to the wonders of nature and those special places that haven't get been spoiled by humans, the are absolutely stunning… This is a firm, yet still gentle introduction into conservation. A must read for all nature-lovers.'
-- YA Books Central
'Nature and wilderness appreciation is embedded in this gentle tale of appreciation and wonder.'
-- Donovan's Literary Services
'This charming heart-warming story captures the wonder and joy of Grandpa and the little bear’s adventure as they journey to Faraway Valley. Heikkila's mixed-media artwork using watercolours, gouache, pastels and digital methods are expressive and atmospheric. This is a lovely, gentle celebration of the wonders of the natural world and the importance of preserving it for future generations.'
-- Our World in Wonder
'A magical, heart-warming tale of wonder and adventure.'
-- Play to Learn with Katy (Instagram)
'A beautifully illustrated intergenerational story about adventure and the celebration of nature and wilderness.'
-- TheKidsBookstagrammer (Instagram)
'A heartwarming narrative of adventure and inter generational relationships, while emphasizing the need to conserve nature[…] The bears' rediscovery of their connection to nature, upon reaching the valley, is genuinely uplifting. The combination of a profound conservation message with mesmerizing visuals, this book serves as an urgent call to appreciate and safeguard our natural treasures.'
-- Storybook Mama (Instagram)
'A gorgeously illustrated tale about finding and preserving nature. I definitely shared this one with my godson. The little glasses and the walk with the wildlife and the camping scene. Just all so precious.'
-- Netgalley Reviewer
'A whimsical, endearing woodland tale about the importance of preserving wild spaces, this intergenerational story is a gentle call to both explore and protect the our Earth.'
-- ReadingWithRedAndTheMagpie (Instagram)
'Their journey is filled with hope, new friendships, and lots of wonder. Not only that, but it encourages and promotes love for nature and the desire to protect it. It is a heartwarming story, and I recommend it with all my heart.'
-- Our World of Wonder (Instagram)
'This book is so beautifully illustrated and the story is heartwarming and fun!'
-- FillYourHouseWithBooks (Instagram)
'A book for all nature lovers, a book to make us stop and think and change our ways. It's a stunning must read.'
-- Busy Busy Learning (Instagram)
'This book is so much more than just a captivating adventure or absolute eye-candy in terms of illustrations, it’s a gentle appeal to readers to love and protect the places of beauty we have left.'
-- LilReaderThatCould (Instagram)
'A stunning intergenerational tale... If this book doesn't encourage you to get out, explore nature, and preserve the bit of undisturbed land that still remains, nothing will. While you're at it, follow little bear’s lead and spread the word.'
-- 3BittyBookworms (Instagram)
'Over the course of their adventure, they discover how wonderful nature can be and how much more there is to learn about taking care of it.'
-- FunReadsForKids (Instagram)
'This book [...] literally takes you on a journey.'
-- WanderingBookseller (Instagram)
Author
Cecilia Heikkilä is a Swedish graphic designer, author and illustrator. She was awarded The Selma Lagerlöf Society's prize for children and YA literature in 2024. Cecilia is the creator of several acclaimed picture books, many featuring themes of nature and animals, including Badger's Journey and A Christmas Sweater for Nina. She lives in Dalarna, Sweden with her dog, Mochi.
