Private and Confidential

With endpapers resembling the sides of an airmail envelope (soon to be obsolete?), this picture-book tells a touching little story about a girl who starts a pen-friend correspondence with an Australian boy who turns out to be partially sighted. It gently makes the point that the degree of acuity of a person's vision need not be the most crucial aspect of their identity, while at the same time strives to raise awareness about the special needs of blind and partially sighted people. A braille message is incorporated into the telling of the simple, optimistic story, and a postscript provides educational information. The cheery, soft-focus realism of the full page pastel illustrations makes this a physically attractive book, which together with the novelty of the braille should ensure a degree of well-deserved attention.