This is a magical book. It is beautifully illustrated – every page mesmerising and magnetic in its energy.

The story of a little girl, Ella, and her younger brother, Leif, finding a fledgling golden eagle with a broken wing and with their father’s help nursing him back to health. When the eagle is strong enough to fly away he doesn’t because he loves the children. But then when the children’s father is away and the eagle is looking after the children the temptation to soar off into the sky is too much.

Furious at being left alone Ella puts a curse on him that he’ll fly without stopping for a year and a day. Their reunion is profound, illustrating the understanding that as living beings we so often make mistakes and act or speak without thinking of the effect, and the transformative power of forgiveness. The Enchantment of Golden Eagle is a wonderful story, every page is packed with exquisite visual details, making it one to be read over and over again.

Reviewed by Rosamund Burton
Age Guide 5+

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Margaret Wild’s thoughtful, award-winning children’s books have been published with great success in many countries. They include Old Pig (shortlisted, CBCA Picture Book of the Year), Fox (winner, CBCA Picture Book of the Year), The Dream of the Thylacine (honour book, CBCA Picture Book of the Year), and On the Day You Were Born, all illustrated by Ron Brooks, plus many more, including Chalk Boy illustrated by Mandy Ord (shortlisted, 2019 CBCA Picture Book of the Year). Margaret has been the recipient of the Nan Chauncy Award and the Lady Cutler Award for her contributions to Australian Literature.

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ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

Stephen Michael King has been described as an artist who ‘draws from the inside out’, and it is this gentle, intuitive truth that gives heart and playfulness to his work. Stephen Michael King is an internationally renowned, award-winning author and illustrator whose career has spanned over thirty years, producing more than one hundred titles. He has worked with a stable of Australia’s best children’s book authors including Glenda Millard, Margaret Wild, Nick Bland, Peter Carey and Tim Winton. Books that Stephen Michael King has written and illustrated include: Three; Rainbow Bear; Mutt Dog!; Leaf; and Milly, Jack and the Dancing Cat. His books have been translated into over twenty languages, and he is frequently honoured in children’s book award categories – including winning the CBCA Book of the Year Award, and the Prime Minister’s Literary Award.

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