The Heart-Shaped Leaf

Winner of The Hadassah Prize for Children’s Literature 2003 and The Israel Museum Prize for Illustration 2004

‘So captivatingly beautiful . . . it’s worthy of some kind of supreme seal of quality.’
Yael Dar, Haaretz

This magical tale follows a little girl named Alona on her journey through a windswept park. As she rests under a tree to eat an apple, a golden leaf falls from the branches above. This leaf is different to all the others. It’s heart-shaped, and it protects Alona from the pouring rain. But does this enchanted leaf belong to her? And will she keep her new treasure or help it find its way home?

Shira Geffen's delicate, vivid and moving fantasy, perfectly illustrated by Polonsky's intricate pictures, is one of the most beautiful children’s books to ever appear. A touching and poetic story for 4–8-year-olds.