Oscar's Story

Oscar's story by Magaret Sturton is a lovely picture book exploring change and growing up. It begins with Oscar and his sister enjoying picture books. Something that they do every day, where stories come alive through the power of illustrations. It's a time where Oscar and his sister share their space, ideas and time. But one day Oscar's sister, Katie, starts to read a chapter book where there are no illustrations and no pictures and story time no longer feels the same for Oscar. Something is missing and he feels a sense of loss. Loss for the books he knew and loss for the time he spent with Katie.

Katie soon teaches her brother that books don't always have to have pictures, that part of growing up is to move on and that things change. By the end of the story, they're snuggled back up at the end of the day and the words come alive in a different way.

Katie teaches Oscar how his mind and his imagination can create the pictures that are no longer present in a book and that stories, hold value and magic, not just in the illustrations, but in the words themselves. Oscar’s story teaches us the power of books, the power of words that all can enjoy, young or old, but especially when we can share it with someone we love.

A super book to share with children who still love picture books, to explore the idea of change and also the power of stories, as well as a Reception or Year 1 class at the end of a school day.

Picture book / Reviewed by Louise Gahan, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 5+