Refined Cottage: America's Favorite Home Inside and Out

The little blue cottage eagerly anticipates the arrival of summer each year―and with it, the girl. Through sunshine-filled days and stormy weather alike, the cottage and the girl keep each other company, whiling away the long hours together. However, one year, and then another, the cottage is left waiting and empty, season after season.

In this poignant story about the inevitability of change, Kelly Jordan's lyrical text and Jessica Courtney-Tickle's lush illustrations capture the essence of cherishing a beloved place. The work has been recognized with prestigious accolades, including the 2021 SCBWI Crystal Kite Award and the 2020 Northern Lights Book Award in the Family Category and Cover Art Category.

The narrative follows the enduring bond between the cottage and the girl, a relationship that transcends the passage of time. Through the changing of the seasons and the girl's own growth and development, the cottage remains a steadfast presence, a sanctuary that holds cherished memories and a sense of timelessness.

As the girl ventures forth, exploring the world and embarking on new adventures, the cottage patiently waits, its doors and windows open, ready to welcome her back. It is a place of comfort, a physical manifestation of the girl's connection to her roots and the importance of returning to a beloved space.

The story's themes of attachment, nostalgia, and the bittersweet nature of change are conveyed through the intimate interactions between the cottage and the girl. Their bond is a testament to the enduring power of memory and the way in which a physical space can become infused with emotional resonance.

In her lyrical prose, Jordan masterfully captures the ebb and flow of the relationship, the moments of joy and the pangs of separation. The cottage, with its weathered walls and welcoming charm, becomes a character in its own right, a tangible representation of the girl's sense of belonging and the comfort of familiar surroundings.

Courtney-Tickle's lush, vibrant illustrations breathe life into the narrative, evoking the warmth and tranquility of the cottage, as well as the girl's evolving experiences. The interplay of light and shadow, the richness of the natural world, and the emotive expressions of the characters all contribute to the story's emotional depth and visual appeal.

Through this heartfelt tale, readers are invited to reflect on their own cherished places, the transformative power of memory, and the bittersweet nature of growing up and moving on. The story's universality and the depth of its emotional resonance have resonated with readers, earning it critical acclaim and prestigious awards.

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