This is a very powerful story looking at poverty and deprivation through the eyes of a child. I loved the thought provoking illustrations and the way the book invited so many questions. This is sure to become a favourite within schools for PSHE lessons and assemblies. Just brilliant!

This is a very important book that shows the power of a good story. A story that can give voice to the unvoiced in our society, to give hope and teach empathy. Tom Percival always writes about important subjects using pictures and storytelling with mastery, and he has done exactly this with 'The invisible'. It teaches children and adults to look around, to reflect on what and who they can see around them. Additionally, it raises important questions that are sometimes avoided in society and classrooms surrounding poverty and inequality. I highly recommend this book to ensure that we don't have any invisible children in our classroom and society. I agree with Tom, like Isabel we can make a difference.

A really beautiful children's book, both in terms of the stunning illustrations and the story itself. I felt quite moved reading it to my 6-year-old daughter. Isabel and her family are forced to leave their home due to money troubles and move across the city. Tom Percival's book looks at important issues such as poverty, those overlooked in society and community. It's a book that children can learn so much from, in terms of kindness, empathy and understanding more about the lives of others. The author's note at the end of the story touches on his own experiences growing up and is an important addition to the book. A lovely, important read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC

The Invisible is a lovely story dealing with poverty and how an individual can make a difference. It is beautifully written and illustrated and has such a powerful message.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC.

This is a really beautiful, poignant picture book that I have re-read a number of times. It tells the story of Isabel, a young girl who moves with her family when they can no longer afford their home.
This book has an important message and beautiful illustrations throughout.
Highly recommend.

If you only purchase one children’s book this year, make it this one. The story contains a life lesson every child should learn. It is the tale of how a young child whose family is very poor and has lost their home, notices that because she now lives on a council estate no-one sees her as a person anymore. It is also the tale of one young girl realising that something needs to change because everyone is worthy and vital not just those with money.

The book begins with little Isabel living in her family home with her mum, dad, and dog. The family didn’t have much, but they had their home and each other until they could no longer pay their bills and they were moved to a high-rise block of flats on the other side of town. It is here that Isabel feels she is fading into the background, that is until she notices other people who are fading too and decides she needs to make them vibrant again.

A couple of years before I was born my parents (and siblings) were in a house fire. They lost everything and my mother had not paid that week’s house insurance as she hadn’t managed to get to the bank the day it was due, which happened to be the same night as the house fire and so the insurance refused to payout.

They were put into council housing. For a time they had nothing, they sat on paint pots used as chairs, etc. I was quite lucky that by the time I was born they were still in council housing but they had enough to see us girls right. However, my dad used to tell me ‘never let anyone look down their nose at you and never look down your nose at anyone else. No-one is above you and no-one is below you, we all deserve to be treated equally.

This is a motto I’ve used throughout my entire life and I’ve taught my children the same. Just because someone can’t afford something you have doesn’t make them less of a person and just because someone has a mansion and untold wealth doesn’t make them any better than you are.

Author Tom Percival has created a beautiful, poignant book that I feel emphasises these points well, as well as showing that sometimes it is the little things you do that can create a difference and that by coming together we can create a big difference. The people in the story might not have increased their monetary wealth but they increased their happiness and people deserve to be happy.

The writing is perfect and the illustrations are so beautiful, with their soft colours and heart-felt emotions on the characters. I truly loved this book. It is a wonderful children’s picture book that contains a powerful message that comes across strongly.

Heartfelt & searing! This could be one of the most important children's books of 2020. I read it with my 7 uear old and we were both completely caught in Tom Percival's sensitively written spell.

The Invisible is a beautiful and powerful story of identify and sense of self. Everyone is someone and everyone is important. This is a wonderful picture book for building empathy and helping young readers to understand issues of poverty and valuing each individual.

Isabel always notices the beautiful things in life. She is visible and vibrant. Despite life being hard, her family have everything they need – each other. When money gets too tight, her world changes and her family are forced to leave their home for a small flat in another part of town. She soon realises that life has turned cold, sad and lonely. No one seems to see her – she has become invisible.

Isabel makes an important choice – to be make a difference to herself, to others, to her community and to the world. Through an honest and empathetic portrayal of a very real issue, young readers will see that everyone deserves to be seen and valued.

Isabel and her family are poor but happy. They have each other. Isabel finds positives in her world. But one day there is no longer enough money to pay their bills. They have to move to a block of flats in a more urban area.
Isabel struggles to find positives around her and feels herself becoming more and more invisible every day.

Then she realises she can see other "invisible" people. She sets out to help them do small but good deeds. Their invisibility soon disappears and Isabel realises she and her new friends have made a difference.

Tom's illustrations just add to the power of his words.

You feel the chill of Isabel's frosty bedroom in winter.


You feel the warmth of the fire, the family sitting around it.


You feel the invisibility of Isabel as she wanders around her new neighbourhood.


You feel hope when she realises she has made a difference.


Tom Percival has based this story on his own lived experiences. There are too many still living this experience.

We all have a place, somewhere we belong. It is not just poverty that can make people invisible to others. This book is an excellent way into having these unfortunately necessary discussions.

The message of hope the book delivers is powerful. It reminds us that small acts can make a big difference. It reminds us to look for the helpers.

I don’t often give books 5 star ratings. Why? Because you need to save those 5 stars for the few occasions when you come across something truly special, like this.

This is the beautiful, poignant story of Isabel, who is growing up in poverty. As the family’s circumstances become more challenging, Isabel finds less and less to be positive about until she finds herself fading away. Once she has become invisible, she sees lots of other invisible people - those who society tends to overlook; the elderly, the homeless; the immigrant. When Isabel decides to do something positive for her community, others join in too, discovering that they have a place and together they can make a difference.

This book should be on every classroom shelf and is set to become a classic.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Beautiful illustrated book about making a difference. Very inspiring and the illustrations are marvellous. Would buy it to any child!

A small book with a big message - The Invisible is pure perfection in book form. It’s a stunning piece of art where words and illustrations work in perfect harmony to create something truly beautiful.

The Invisible tells the story of Isabel, a young girl living in poverty and shows the difference that one person can make to change the world for many. It shines a light on ‘invisible’ issues such as child poverty, homelessness and the loneliness of the elderly. The illustrations provide the perfect backdrop to the story and I love how the style and colour palette change to reflect the changing tone.

It is a truly thought-provoking read and one that should have a place in every classroom. I will most certainly be adding this book to our school reading curriculum. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

A sweet and simple picture book about making a difference. I can’t say much without giving the whole story away as it’s a very short book. The artwork is cute too.

Review copy from Netgalley

Blessed by this beautiful yet haunting picture book, The Invisible gently illuminates the right for ALL children tobelong, even the poorer ones. This is a MUST READ in every classroom. Thought-provoking illustrations promote community spirit, inclusion for all and hope.

The Invisible is a beautiful and moving picture book with a powerful message about noticing others, community and belonging.
Isabel's family do not have much money but they have each other. One day, they are forced to move from their beloved home to the far side of the city where people just seem to look through her. It is only now that Isabel begins to notice others like her. Although invisible, these people all have something in common - they are all making small differences in their own way. By coming together, can Isabel make a difference too?
Tom Percival's illustrations are stunning and I loved how the use of colour helps tell the story. This book highlights the issue of child poverty and the often overlooked members of society in a sensitive way and I am sure lots of important discussions will arise from this story. I am really looking forward to sharing this with my Year 5 pupils; as with so many picture books, this will resonate with older readers and they will gain a lot from it.

This is a really lovely story about a little girl and her family, inspired by the author's own childhood experiences. It is a very cleverly written and beautifully illustrated look at how it is to feel invisible and would be an excellent addition to the school library.

This is an uplifting book for all ages, everywhere around the world. I love the illustrations and the colour palette. The story was easy to read and follow, and the message was clear. I'm sure it would help a lot of less fortunate children. Love it.

This book is perfection. I will read this to my kids regularly as it explains so perfectly how poverty affects people in a way that kids can understand. While I regularly try to explain to my kids how lucky they are, it definitely goes over their head. They take for granted they have devices to work on for homeschooling during lockdown and Food in the cupboards for when they are hungry. But I am all too aware of how lucky they are - I was the kid dependent on school meals, had an electricity meter and a coin meter for the tv and know lockdowns would have been hellish - and this book captures perfectly how kids in those situations feel. A must read for all.