Book Review: Eight at a Time.

If you’ve known me for any length of time, you’ll probably know one of the causes close to my heart is preventing modern day slavery and the trafficking of people. It’s a topic I write and speak about, and I’m always on the look out for useful resources to help young people learn about and respond to this global issue. The problem is, because of the nature of the topic, it’s a difficult one to talk to children about. We know the world has its ugly side, we know we want to equip children to respond with empathy, safety and compassion. But we also know stories about human trafficking can feel heartbreaking and hopeless. 
Andrew Dittmer has addressed these issues with creative sensitivity in his newest children’s picture book, Eight at a Time. 

The book is illustrated by Tanya Larina (can I just say how much I love those end papers?!) and published by Signs Publishing. 
Eight at a Time tells the story of Jack and Ruby, two young octopusus who are lured into an under-sea brick factory. There they are forced by the nasty Crab to make bricks, eight at a time, day in and day out. One day, desperate to escape, Ruby writes a secret note and hides it in a load of bricks hoping someone will read it and come to rescue them. 
Set in an obviously fictional world of talking sea creatures, this story uses fantasy to distance readers from the harsh reality of human trafficking. The illustrations are bright, and even on the dark or sad pages, they maintain a playful tone that couches the serious content of the book. ​

Using fantasy when dealing with difficult topic areas is a strategy often used in children’s books. Sometimes however, the fantasy is so well crafted it can allow for the real world issues to go unnoticed without deliberate child/carer discussion. Not so in this book. Although Dittmer tells his story in an undersea setting, his does not try to hide the cruelty and injustice of slavery. Readers can clearly identify what is wrong in Ruby and Jack’s story, and will empathise and cheer on their need to be free. This may mean some readers will need additional support (such as a cuddle or extra explanation) during the middle of the story when it feels like all is lost, and the bad Crab wins. ​

One of the things I appreciated about this story is the way it highlights the role dreams play in our lives. While trafficking interrupts and takes advantage of dreams, it does not eliminate them. At the end of the story, readers are encouraged to hunt for yellow words among the text. These string together to offer a hidden message of hope. The final page of the book also includes links and details of anti-trafficking organisations families/schools can connect with to learn and do more.
Eight at a Time is a useful resource for helping children learn about a difficult subject. Recommended. 

All the details you need:
Title: Eight at a Time
Written by: Andrew Dittmer
Illustrated by: Tanya Larina
Publisher: Signs Publishing
Available from Adventist Bookseller.