The Hottest Boy Who Ever Lived

An intriguing picture book about a boy born of a volcano who lives at the edge of the world with only a salamander for a friend. He longs for human contact, and when a storm blows him into the sailing route of a friendly Viking girl, it looks as if his desire for hugs and companionship is going to be satisfied. But when things go wrong in her ice bound community, the fiery outsider is all too easy to blame. This is a very original treatment of themes like loneliness and prejudice. The story is thoughtful but humorous, and the delicate ice and fire illustrations are beautiful.