I discovered The Little Island in this month’s Sweet William book selection and it’s a perfect summertime read. It’s about an island out in the ocean and the way the island changes as the seasons come and go. It also tells the story of a little black cat who comes to the island and learns an important secret about life — that life is big, yet all connected (it inspired some interesting discussions with my kids afterward). The watercolour illustrations, which won the Caldecott Medal in 1947, are absolutely beautiful, and it’s written by Margaret Wise Brown of ‘Goodnight Moon’ fame, so the text and story have that recognisable soothing, lyrical rhythm. A definite must-have children’s book!

-Courtney