My book review of 'The Golden Plate' by Bernadette Watts

by Bernadette Watts
Recommended age: 4+
The Golden Plate
by Bernadette Watts

We’ve all done it. We’ve made a mistake and before we know it, a small error has escalated to become an all-consuming source of worry, guilt and fear. But how to put it right?

In this beautifully illustrated book for young children, the author delivers a powerful message through a charming, simple story and an idyllic domestic scene.

Isobel likes to visit her friend Elizabeth to play with her beautiful dolls’ house. Together they delight in all the miniature pots and pans, furniture and decorations. One day Isobel slips one of the tiny plates into her pocket and takes it away with her.

Once at home, Isobel sees that the little golden plate is out of place in her own homemade dolls’ house. It makes her realise that she has done a terrible thing by taking something that doesn’t belong to her. Soon she sees the plate everywhere she looks - the pie for dinner, the moon at night, the sunflowers in the garden - everything reminds her of the golden plate.

No longer able to hide what she has done, she confesses to her mother and is told to return the plate.

Fortunately the mothers of the two girls ensure that the return of the plate is achieved satisfactorily. The friendship is restored and the dolls’ houses return to their innocent appeal.

An unusually hard-hitting message is presented in delicate, detailed, traditional illustrations making this a book to be savoured and treasured.

 

Date of this review: March 2015