Awards

• Commended for The Children's Book Council of Australia 2024 (Australia)
• Short-listed for The Rubery Book Award 2023 (Australia)

Overview

Despite being oceans apart, Tug and Ship are connected by strong bonds in Anchored, a tale of love and connection told through the relationship of a tugboat and a cargo ship. Debra Tidball was inspired to write Anchored by the watercraft she observed, on harbourside walks, especially the tugboats that send huge ships out into the open ocean and welcome them back again after long, sometimes perilous journeys. ‘As a parent, it made me think about the sustaining power of love — how holding someone in your heart can make you more courageous, and make the world seem like a better, brighter place despite not being together.’  With social work qualifications and a master’s degree in Children’s Literature, Debra understands the vital role attachment plays in child development. In a world where many parents are separated from their children for periods of time due to work and/or living arrangements, a sense of attachment can feel stretched. Anchored is a reassuring book reminding children that the love they share with their parents/caregivers can sustain time apart: they are firmly anchored in each other’s hearts. Anchored honours the intrinsic value and worth of a child and the sustaining power of love. It’s an empowering story that will give children a sense of pride and strength to get through the ‘missing you’ days. 

Full Product Details

9781922539496

Table of Contents

Reviews

"“Beautifully captures the emotions of separation, longing and reunion” , -- Fiona Smyth (via instagram) “I absolutely loved adored this book. This one really hit me in the feels. It is beautifully written with illustrations that are just gorgeous things. If you have a little one who worries about separation anxiety, this would be a lovely one for them“ * Your Kid’s Next Read podcast * “A reassuring book can help your child“ * Bounty Parents * “a beautiful and sensitive exploration of what it is like to be lonely and to miss someone” “perfect for children new to school and feeling a little out of place or lost” * Linda’s Book Bag * Anchored is a heartwarming story about absence, about what you might do in the face of separation, when you miss someone you care about deeply. The story features a tugboat and a ship. They work hard together during the day: ‘pushing”, “pulling”, “prodding”. But at night they go their separate ways and the tugboat is forlorn. Tug finally tells Sip how they feel, and Ship has some excellent advice. * NZ Poetry Box * “A comforting story of the powers of connection with loved ones no matter where they are. Illustrated with swirling oceans and sky and bold geometric shapes. This is the perfect book for a young person who is missing someone who is away in another place.” * The Sunday Telegraph * ""Written for our youngest readers to reassure them that even though they might be separated from a parent for a time, out of sight does not mean out of mind and that they are always anchored in the heart of the absent one regardless."" * The Bottom Shelf Edu Blog * “The author of the Picture Book Anchored understands the importance of attachment in a child’s life. Without that sense of belonging some children feel quite lost. This story is an attempt to reassure young people that absence doesn’t mean a loss of love.” * Blue Wolf Reviews * “A comforting book, especially if you are missing someone in your life. It helps use to remember that, even though we may not be with those we love, we are always in their hearts. Just like they are in ours” * Good Reading * “The use of a small boat and a huge Ship to explore separation anxiety and resilience keeps everything on a very neutral, almost abstract, plane. This allows the intended audience of young children to insert their own feelings into the story” * Magpies Schools Magazine * “Written with beautiful descriptive language paired with absolutely delightful illustrations, this heart-warming new release celebrates the power of our connections with others, even when we are apart’ * My Picture Book Heart (via Instagram) * “This is a book that seems to celebrate friendship – how two very different ‘people’ can have a sustained and loving relationship despite being separated by time and distance”. * Reading Time * “a wonderful story to explain to children how much they are loved even if their parents have to go away for a while.” * The Strawberry Post * “The story of a big ship and little tugboat and the sustaining and transformative power of being anchored in each other’s hearts, despite being oceans apart.“ * Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrator Newsletter * “a gentle story for very young children about separation… The pictures are large and generous as they follow Ship across the world’s oceans, the text is clear and well set out and the message that Ship always returns is one of comfort and reassurance.​” * Shortlisted for the Rubery Book Award * “A comforting picture book about separation and reunion * featured in ‘Best children’s books for summer 2023’ article * “Anchored is a picture book with bold illustrations, anthropomorphic characters, and a gentle narrative. Its themes include emotional connections, separation anxiety, love, and resilience. Anchored is an empowering story recommended for an early childhood audience. It is sure to bring comfort to any child who spends extended periods apart from a loved one.” * BuzzWords *"

I absolutely loved adored this book. This one really hit me in the feels. It is beautifully written with illustrations that are just gorgeous things. If you have a little one who worries about separation anxiety, this would be a lovely one for them * Your Kid's Next Read podcast * A reassuring book can help your child * Bounty Parents *

Author Information

Debra Tidball is an award-winning author for children. With social work and children’s literature qualifications, Debra has a passion for picture books and the profound way they can touch children’s lives. Arielle Li has been passionate about creating art from a young age, and has been pursuing illustration as a career since 2019. She enjoys long walks at the beach, chasing her cats around the house and practising Taekwondo.

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