THE SECRET KEEPER

Daily the people of the village come through the woods to Kalli’s house to tell their guilty secrets, which she hides away in the hundreds of wooden drawers that line the walls of her cottage, like apothecary cases or library catalog cabinets. Only one person, Taln, the potter, does not come to visit. As fall turns to winter, the secrets begin to weigh heavily on Kalli, and she becomes ill. When a young girl discovers her, the villagers attempt a cure by sharing some happy secrets. After a child tells his secret, a blue butterfly flies from Kalli’s hands. As the villagers share good secrets with Kalli and with each other, Kalli recovers and spring returns. Then Taln whispers his secret: “I love the secret-keeper.” Solomon’s lovely watercolors, framed with jewel-toned borders, varied in size, shape and placement on heavy creamy paper, add fascinating details and emotional depth to this gentle jewel of a tale that will prompt discussion on the sharing of secrets, good and bad. (Picture book. 5-8)