ACHUKA Book of the Day 25 May 2026
Publisher: Gecko Press
ISBN: 9798348029685
“Though the story features succinct chapters and spare text, translated from French, its philosophical underpinnings have a surprising heft. To grow old and die truly is an awfully big adventure in Edith’s case, and one worth fighting for. Valckx’s gentle full-color illustrations subtly show Edith growing up, initially in the 1920s and then pursuing her destiny in the present day. These simply rendered images adeptly highlight the poor girl’s misery (including never having a friend who won’t outgrow her) and eventual (much deserved) triumph. Few books have felt happier than when a character offers a gleeful, ‘I’m going to have lots of new problems.’ A sparkling celebration of life rooted in change, aging, and the necessity of death itself.” KIRKUS
ACHUKA seems to love everything published by Julia Marshall at Gecko Press and we simply ADORE this chapter book.
Edith was born at a time of magic and fairies.
As a newborn, Edith received two gifts: the ability to bring any object to life and eternal childhood. That’s why today, 100 years later, Edith is celebrating her centenary as a ten-year-old. What will she wish for this time? Certainly a new life—being ten forever has its downside.
On her birthday, Edith sets off to find the fairy who bewitched her and reverse the spell. She takes her only friends, a wise dog and a talking lemon, to find herself a future she can live with.
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Catharina writes, on her website:
I grew up in a village in the suburbs of Paris
I was twelve when they set foot on the moon for the first time
I have four sisters
but no brothers
my parents are Dutch, and so am I
but I write more easily in French than in Dutch
I followed two courses at artschool
a long time ago
I made paintings with titles like
‘so alone and no money’
and a film starring a real pig
with music by Bach
but eventually
I fell in love
with children’s literature
I live in Amsterdam
with my life partner
our son is an adult now
I recently made a book with him!
Illustrated in soft hues & with a philosophical question #Edith Catharina Valckx celebrates determination & the changes during a lifetime @geckopress will generate much thought & discussion.
It’s #RedReadingHub’s book of the day reviewed on the blog https://t.co/7aeNe3ZklZ pic.twitter.com/xSjeh63Nqr— Jill Bennett (@JillBennett18) May 17, 2026
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