Child of St Kilda

by Beth Waters

Overview

Norman John Gillies was one of the last children ever born on St Kilda, five years before the whole population was evacuated forever to the British mainland. People had lived on these islands for over four thousand years, developing a thriving, tightly-knit society that knew nothing of crime or money, and took care of its weakest members without hesitation. At the mercy of the seasons and the elements, a unique lifestyle evolved, based around resilience, mutual trust and caring. What was it like to grow up in such harsh conditions? Why and how did this ancient way of life suddenly cease in 1930? Where did the islanders go, and what became of them? And what became of Norman John, child of St Kilda?


Shortlisted for The CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal 2020.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781786281883
Publisher:	Child's Play-International
Publication date:	09/01/2019
Series:	Child's Play Library
Pages:	64
Sales rank:	1,242,010
Product dimensions:	8.90(w) x 12.00(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	4 - 9 Years

About the Author

Beth Waters is an author, illustrator and printmaker currently living in a tiny thatched cottage in Cambridge, UK. Originally from Yorkshire, she studied Literature at The University of Edinburgh. Deciding to combine her love of stories with her lifelong love of drawing, she went to Cambridge School of Art to do the MA in Children’s Book Illustration, where she began to learn the art of printmaking.

Beth Waters is an author, illustrator and printmaker currently living in a tiny thatched cottage in Cambridge, UK. Originally from Yorkshire, she studied Literature at The University of Edinburgh. Deciding to combine her love of stories with her lifelong love of drawing, she went to Cambridge School of Art to do the MA in Children’s Book Illustration, where she began to learn the art of printmaking.

Editorial Reviews

10/18/2019

Gr 3–5-Waters tells the story of Norman John, the last child born on the island of St. Kilda. The island is about 100 miles away from the coast of Scotland, and at most had a population of around 180 people, though birds and other wildlife proliferated; many still inhabit the island. Now there is only a military base, but the island has been registered as a World Heritage site. Waters describes the challenges of life on St. Kilda as the population dwindled. It was difficult to send out mail, get medical treatment, and obtain supplies due to frequent storms that prevented ships from sailing into port. Eventually, the islanders agreed to leave together and resettle on the coast of Scotland. Beautiful sketch-like drawings and paintings in red, blue, green, yellow, and brown portray the types of wildlife, activities, and culture on the island. VERDICT A charming addition to any nonfiction picture book section. High-interest for both children and adults.-Kristin Joy Anderson, Lewis University, Romeoville, IL

School Library Journal

07/08/2019

St Kilda, an island group far to the west of Scotland, is so remote and experiences such volatile weather that supplies can only be delivered for half the year. Until 1930, the islands were inhabited by a community that fished, caught birds, and raised sheep. Debut creator Waters tells the story of Norman John Gillies, one of the last children born there. In short sections (“What People Did,” “School,” “St Kilda Mail,” and more), Waters narrates the joys and sorrows of living where all were known to each other, there were no cars and no money, and failed crops and harsh winters could mean the worst. Gillies was named for two uncles who died at sea, and when he was nearly five, his mother fell ill and was taken to the mainland, where she died. It was this tragedy that led the 36 remaining St Kildans to petition the government to move them to the mainland. Waters illustrates her island biography with monoprints—painting on glass and printing the image on paper—a technique that yields a weathered look that’s just right for images of the sea, sky, and great cliffs. This fascinating look at a lost world closes with excerpts from Waters’s sketchbook as well as a few contemporary photos of the islands. Ages 4–9. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

2019-07-14
St. Kilda is a remote archipelago about 100 miles off the west coast of Scotland.

This is the story of the last community to inhabit the island of Hirta, St. Kilda's largest island. Through narrative and evocative monoprints in blues, greens, and russet, Waters tells the story of the island and its last human inhabitants. The narrative is interspersed with descriptions and sketches of the wildlife of St. Kilda and the activities of the population. In spite of its remoteness, humans have lived on St. Kilda since the Bronze Age. The titular child, Norman John Gillies, was born there in 1925. The close-knit community lived a subsistence lifestyle, raising sheep for tweed production and collecting wild birds from the cliffs for food. A one-room schoolhouse and the church provided educational guidance and spiritual discipline. Increasing communication with the mainland during the 20th century caused the population to dwindle, and eventually Norman and his family were forced to evacuate with the entire population in 1930 when the island was deemed uninhabitable. The village on Hirta was abandoned, and the St. Kildans were resettled on the British mainland. The islands of St. Kilda have become a World Heritage Site. The illustrations emphasize its wind-swept wildness, the few, white human inhabitants dressed in garb as humble as the cottages they live in.

A fascinating study of a unique community. (maps, author's note. (Informational picture book. 8-14)

Kirkus Reviews

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