Heavy
All illustration on this page by Davilyn Lynch
A fun & empowering picture book about strong women & the heavy loads they carry.
Heavy addresses burden-carrying in an accessible way, with lightness & humour.
This is an anti-multitasking story for 4-8 year olds that advocates for lighter living and focusing on just one important thing at a time.
At the wild animal rescue centre run by her family of incredibly strong women, Nina watches as her older female relatives do amazing things like piggyback polar bears & carry boa constrictors.
Every day, they pick up more & more.
The trouble is, they never put anything down!
Seeing her family struggle, Nina is determined to find a way to show them that just because they can carry heavy things around all the time, doesn’t mean they have to.
Will Nina’s inventions help lighten their loads?
Heavy is an empowering picture book about the value of rest & the lovely lightness one family discovers when the youngest, Nina, suggests they could all do things a little bit differently…
As reviewed by Dr Lara Cain Gray for StoryLinks:
This is a story with rich language, full of alliteration and amusing animal gags. Children could read it literally as a tale of very needy animals and their supportive carers, but it rewards further conversation about obligations and boundaries within a family or community. Images like Mum carrying all the household shopping with two wild boars on her head will be relatable to many grown up readers!
Read the full reivew - Heavy – Story Links (booklinks.org.au)
A funny picture book with a warm message, this book pays tribute to all the unspoken work women are expected to do - & shows how important it is to learn to let go.
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BOOK CURATOR MAGAZINE – MAY 2023
Heavy
A CREATIVE WORKSHOP
Family
Mental Load
Engineering
Invention
Equity
Problem Solving
Critical Thinking
Animal Care
AGE GROUP Prep - Year 6
Can be adapted for high school & adult audiences
This cross-curriculum story-driven workshop is designed to provoke thought & open age-appropriate discussions about what can be a 'Heavy' topic: intergenerational & societal patterns of load carrying for women & girls. Some handy curriculum links are woven in too, like looking at levers, pulleys, catapults, loads & weight.
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IN THIS 1 HOUR WORKSHOP…
After reading mentor text Heavy, Dannika will guide a gentle group discussion of the book's central themes & facilitate a fun hands-on craft activity &/or experiment using upcycled, recycled (& optionally edible!) materials to help students make relevant real-world connections.
This workshop is 100% waste-free, with all materials being either recycled, upcycled or compostable.
♻️
This is the book I wanted for my daughter, but it's the book I NEEDED for my son.
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DR SARAH DAVEY CHESTERS – PHD PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION
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Davilyn Lynch
Illustrated by
Davilyn was born & raised in Melbourne, Australia, where she would spend most days drawing, escaping into a world of creativity & wonder. She grew up in an inspiring household surrounded by her father’s abstract canvasses on every wall.
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