Edith: The Girl who was 100 Years Old

What an unusual title and indeed this is a story which is just as unusual to try and explain! The eponymous character begins life in a fairly ordinary manner. However, her father desperately wishes to give her a gift beyond the ordinary. Before we know it, Edith has not one, but two extraordinary gifts! She is able to animate objects – quickly learning that this is as much a troublesome skill as it is useful; she also is granted eternal childhood. Again, although a seemingly powerful presence, perhaps even from the outset this skill seems especially ominous. 

As the tale progresses, we indeed find Edith transformed from a seemingly carefree child, to one full of the concerns of a much older individual: how to find friends, how to fit in, what to do with all this time? 

So, with only her loyal canine companion Bolster, and a lemon that she animated herself – Squirt, Edith sets out on an adventure for answers. At first, seemingly, she seeks only to reverse the spell on her 100th birthday and find a way to not live forever! However, as is often the case with journeys, the path encompasses many more questions than it initially offers answers. Though maybe this is one of the central themes for young readers – that life itself is just as complex and that the search for an answer may only lead to another question. 

This is a deeply philosophical, quirky and original translation with equally evocative, charismatic and unusual illustrations. Its short chapters and simple form may suggest that it belongs with readers just embarking on short chapter texts, but here this may be open to interpretation just like the deeper questions in the story! It would be just as well suited as a book talk text for older KS2, or even KS3 groups and may, in this setting, be much more at home, as it is sure to spark book chatter and remind us that this talk is just as important as any text itself.