Life may seem bleak and troubling, and people angry and combative, but it’s reassuring to find children’s picture books seeking to encourage young people to act differently to make the world a better place.

There once was a farm where all the animals were friends. They looked after the farm and each other. It wasn’t perfect and they didn’t always agree. But they liked it.

The geese, on their island on the farm, began to gossip. They decided they no longer wanted to have anything to do with the other animals, and they made a plan to leave the farm. What will life be like now?

This modern day fable presents a timeless message of the importance of building bridges not barriers, respect not resentment, and of finding friendship not fear.

Called ‘The Little Island’, its charming images bring humour, warmth and hope in this powerful and sobering tale. It is written by award-winning British author Smriti Prasadam-Halls and illustrated by Robert Starling, who lives and works in Norwich.