Golden Threads - by Suzanne Del Rizzo (Paperback)

About the Book

"A beloved toy fox is swept away from his best friend--[human girl] Emi--and their mountain home. He ends up tattered and alone on a distant shore. Fox is eventually found by a kind old man and given as a gift to his frail granddaughter Kiko, ... [who] has a visual impairment and is recovering from a leg injury. Here in their valley cabin, the fox is lovingly mended with the most exquisite golden thread, and with a little self-love and patience, Kiko and the fox find friendship, happiness, and new found resilience. One day Kiko discovers where the fox came from and they set out to bring the fox back"--

Book Synopsis

When a storm sweeps Emi's beloved stuffed fox away from their mountain home, he ends up tattered and alone on a distant shore. A kind old man finds the fox and gives it to his granddaughter, Kiko. As she recovers from an injury of her own, Kiko mends the fox lovingly with golden thread.

As the seasons pass, Kiko cares for the fox as her own. But after discovering his origins, she sets out, with her grandfather's help, to bring the fox back to its original home. Once together, Emi and Kiko piece together the fox's journey and find delight in their newly forged connections.

Golden Threads is inspired by the Japanese art form of kintsugi, or golden joinery, where broken pottery is repaired with resin painted gold. Kintsugi values repairing, rather than replacing, believing that the cracks give the broken item its story. This book is also a warm celebration of wabi-sabi, the Japanese idea that there is beauty in things that may be incomplete or imperfect.

Review Quotes

"An inspiring cross-cultural message showing that our experiences make us stronger."-- "Booklist- STARRED REVIEW"

"Golden Threads is softly stunning, visually and in its storytelling...Sweet, kind, and loving, a lovely book about getting lost, healing, and coming home."--Andrew King "University Book Store, WA"

"The fox's transformative adventure invites discussion about empathy, how to overcome difficulties, and the idea that one doesn't need to be perfect to be loved... This book will find an eager audience with readers of all ages."-- "School Library Journal - STARRED REVIEW"

"[Del Rizzo] reminds her readers that brokenness can lead to finding greater strength, and our imperfections are what make us even more beautiful."-- "Mighty Village"

"A beautiful story of healing and strength."-- "Kirkus Reviews"

"Encourages children to find beauty in imperfections and strength in adversity."-- "Foreword Reviews - STARRED REVIEW"

"Here author and illustrator combine forces to effortlessly convey the Japanese art of kintsugi... Sato's illustrations use cut paper to tell this delicate story and they are truly remarkable."-- "Youth Services Book Review"

"The little details are full of charm and delight. Readers will want to return to the book again and again."-- "Sal's Fiction Addiction"

"With engaging onomatopoeia, lyrical text, and a universal story of enduring friendship, belonging, and the kindness of strangers, Golden Threads will appeal to many readers... Golden Threads is a sweet, tender tale to be pored over and cherished."-- "Canadian Review of Materials"

About the Author

SUZANNE DEL RIZZO began her career in picture books as the illustrator of the award-winning Skink on the Brink. She left scientific research to make children's books, creating illustrations with polymer clay/mixed media. Suzanne's author-illustrator debut, My Beautiful Birds, was a New York Times Notable Book and Malka Penn Award for Human Rights in Children's Literature winner. Suzanne lives with her family in Oakville, Ontario.
MIKI SATO is a Japanese-Canadian freelance illustrator who graduated with a degree in Illustration at the Ontario College of Art and Design. She works with different papers, fabrics, and surfaces to create three-dimensional illustrations. Miki was born in Ottawa, and currently resides in Toronto. Her work has appeared in publications including Today's Parent, the Walrus, and Reader's Digest.