Usha and the Stolen Sun

A courageous girl brings down a dividing wall with her words.

Usha lives in a town where the sun hasn't shone for as long as anyone can remember. Only her grandfather remembers its brilliance and tells Usha stories about the time before other people took the sun away, building a wall to keep it all to themselves. So Usha decides to do something and sets off in search of the sun.

When at last Usha reaches the wall, she tries to kick it down, climb it, yell her way through it - but the bricks don't budge. It’s only after remembering her grandfather's words and hearing voices on the other side of the wall that Usha changes her plan. She sings, shares her grandfather's stories, and piques the curiosity of the people on the other side until they are inspired to remove the bricks, one by one to better hear what Usha has to say. Together, they bring the wall down.

Inspired by the idea of civil discourse, this book offers a timely message of communication and compassion.

About the Author

Bree Galbraith is a UBC Master of Creative Writing graduate and author of award winning titles, Once Upon a Balloon (Orca 2013), and Milo and Georgie (Owlkids, 2017). Usha and the Stolen Sun is Bree's third book, and several more follow in the coming years, including the Wednesday Wilson series (Kids Can Press 2020-22). She lives in the heart of Vancouver with her family, where when she's not writing, she's definitely outside enjoying the wonders of the west coast.

About the Illustrator

Josee Bisaillon obtained a bachelor's degree in graphic design and illustrates books using a mix of collage, drawing and digital montage. She has illustrated more than twenty picture books, two of which were nominated for a Governor General's Award for children's book illustration. She lives near Montreal, Quebec with her husband and children.