By Glenda Millard (author) , Stephen Michael King (illustrator) Part of the The Kingdom of Silk Series series
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Glenda Millard’s Kingdom of Silk books have won many awards in her native Australia, and no wonder: there are very few books, for children or adults, which describe love so clearly or so lyrically. There are seven books in the series, The Tender Moments of Saffron Silk is number six, and it is definitely worth reading them all, and in order, to really get to know the Silks.
They are an uncommon lot: the rest of the world might see them as eccentric, even weird, that doesn’t bother them at all. Parents Ben and Annie have five daughters (‘the Rainbow Girls’), a son named Griffin and an adopted son, Perry Angel, who joins the family midway through the series.
Nell is ‘the tiny bit magic’ grandmother, and Layla, Griffin’s best friend, understands them so well she ‘might as well be a Silk’. They live on a beautiful plot of land in the Australian countryside, and Millard evokes the sense of place beautifully. Each book describes a different event in their lives, but the emphasis is always on themes of love, friendship and belonging.
In The Tender Moments of Saffron Silk , Saffron, the youngest and most dreamy of the Rainbow Girls isn’t well. She has terrible headaches, accompanied by blinding lights she thinks of as firebirds. The Silks have already lost one daughter, baby Tishkin, and everyone is scared for Saffron. Little Perry is the one to realise just how frightened Saffron herself is though, and to work out what special help she needs.
Everything ends well, and a small Silk miracle takes place at the hospital. Millard has a light touch and avoids sentimentality, this is another beautiful and affecting read. ~ Andrea Reece
Book 6 in the Kingdom of Silk series.
A Piece of Passion from editor Emma Langley The fact that it took over 10 years for these books to be published in the UK is a huge slander against our publishing industry. I – with many Australian family – was perhaps more predisposed to a series set in rural Australia, and revolving around the Silk Family of five daughters, two sons (one adopted), two parents a fairygrandmother and various friends and pets. Because, these books are stories of families and friendship; about kindness and goodness in the world; and crafted out of the most extraordinarily beautiful writing.
Frankly, no one can write about families and friendship quite like Glenda Millard can. And yes, these books do tug at the heartstrings, but they do so with great sensitivity and without ever becoming overly sentimental. The stories, the characters and the evocatively realised setting will stay with you a long time after you’ve turned the last page, which is lucky, because Cameron’s Creek is a place to which every reader will want to return.
There are some lovely recipes included within this book - you can find 2 here to download - Golden Dumplings and Armenian Love Cake!
Everyone knows that Saffron Silk has a talent for pretending to be someone else but when the firebirds rage inside her head, and it hurts even to breathe, Saffron barely has the energy to be herself.
Read the full description
Saffron's family don't know about the firebirds that come to warn her of terrible headaches. And Saffron doesn't know how to tell them. But her brother Perry Angel has learnt to read hearts and recognise tender moments, and Perry knows that Saffron is frightened. Frightened of what might be wrong with her and afraid that she might have to leave the Kingdom of Silk forever...
Through these whimsical, lyrical stories, Glenda Millard writes about families like no other writer writes about families. The books explore important themes of love, loss, friendships, home and belonging, in ways that pull at the heartstrings but are never over-sentimental. Honey for the soul.
Praise for The Kingdom of Silk series
“Never have I felt such yearning to be part of a fictional family. Never have I cried both of sorrow and elation as much as I have with every single book in this series. It really is a magnificent series.” Mélanie McGilloway, Library Mice
‘A truly beautiful story if loss. Hope, strength and love…unforgettable.’ The Scotsman
‘Poignant and lovely. Millard has that rare gift of making you feel in a few pages that you’ve known these characters , and this place, always.’ The Independent
‘A special, lyrical, and lovely story…It will surely touch your heart.’ Berlie Doherty
‘Addressing themes of love, understanding and family, it’s an insightful and affecting read for older children, while avoiding heavy-handed sentimentality or cliché. ’ Junior Magazine
Glenda Millard is an award-winning Australian author of twelve picture books, seven fiction titles for younger readers and three young adult novels. Australian, she left school at 15 and went straight out to work, unable to fulfil her writing dreams. At the age of 45 she found herself out of a job and her children grown up. She began to write and hasn't stopped since, winning many awards in Australia for her picture books and fiction. With her appearance on the Carnegie shortlist this year, her writing is finally getting the recognition it deserves in the UK.
All titles in the Kingdom of Silk series have won or been shortlisted for every major book prize in Australia: the Queensland Premier's Literary Awards, Children's Book Council of Australia Awards, NSW Premier's Literary Awards and WA Premier's Literary Awards.
Glenda's novel, The Stars at Oktober Bend has been shortlisted for the CILIP Carnegie Medal 2017.
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Everyone knows that Saffron Silk has a talent for pretending to be someone else but when the firebirds rage inside her head, and it hurts even to breathe, Saffron barely has the energy to be herself.Saffron's family don't know about the firebirds that come to warn her of terrible headaches. And Saffron doesn't know how to tell them.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed The Tender Moments of Saffron Silk and determined it is suitable for children aged 7-10 years old
The Tender Moments of Saffron Silk features in the following genres: Featured Books for 9+ readers, Recommendations, Stories about Family and Friends, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Featured Books for 7+ readers
Paperback. Not Available.
The Tender Moments of Saffron Silk was written by Glenda Millard and published by Phoenix Yard Books
The Tender Moments of Saffron Silk has 112 pages
Yes it is part of The Kingdom of Silk Series series
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