A sweet-flavoured dilemma of a boy's unexpected gift from his beloved Nanny...-- Joan Sullivan - The Telegram --

I was so excited to get my hands on this new picture book from Emily Hepditch - I love her novels, and I was excited to see her children's story (which is both illustrated and written by Emily). It is such a sweet story, with beautiful illustrations; a great addition to any child's bookshelf.-- Erin Wolf - Sleep Less Read More --

Author of two best selling novels The Woman In The Attic and Alone On The Trail, Sweater is Emily Hepditch's first children's illustrated book. This fictional story intended mostly for children aged 3-7 is simply written with an engaging storyline. Emergent readers (and their parents!) will easily identify with and relate to the character Alexander and will understand the conundrum in which he finds himself. Afterall, who hasn't been the recipient of a well-intentioned homemade gift that doesn't seem to fit just right? Hepditch does an excellent job at having the illustrations and text work together to tell the story. The pictures are well placed and allow young readers to contextualize the story by giving visual cues to the words on the page. The illustrations are colorful and simple and the pages are presented in a clean and clutter free manner, clearly depicting the emotions of the character and the well paced story. As a new illustrator of children's picture books, I was impressed with Hepditch's work and felt the style was well suited to the story. I particularly liked the intricate sensory details of the gable knit sweater and the "warm woolly mittens" and blanket. Sweater is a timeless story to be enjoyed by both children and their caregivers. It is a reminder that those "soft" presents we often receive (and sometimes dread) are extensions of the special people in our lives who give them. Hats off to Emily Hepditch and her first foray into the world of Children's Literature...a talented young writer AND illustrator!-- Stephanie Collins - Fireside Collections --

I am beginning to think that there is nothing that Emily Hepditch can’t do. An accomplished, award-winning writer of adult fiction and now, a children’s writer and illustrator. Ask any child from Newfoundland and Labrador and many of their favorite recollections of their grandmother is often the smallest thing; helping to bake bread or Nan always having something yummy in the fridge. But, more often than not, it’s the memories of the fuzzy socks or the warm mittens or scarves or woolly sweaters, knitted with love and worn with pride even if they are a little itchy. “I love it!” declared my 6-year-old after reading “Sweater” with her dad. In fact, she loved it so much she chose to write about it for her homework that week. I then had to go searching all over the house for the book, eventually finding it on the desk in my 11-year-old’s room so I could finally read it myself. What I’m saying here is: this book appeals to people of ALL ages. This heartwarming, delightful tale takes us all back to that special place and time when we felt cherished by the love of a Nanny, wrapped up in a hug or snugged up in a sweater – warm and safe. The illustrations in this book are charming and sweet. The verses are fun to read out loud and engages both reader and listener. This story of young Alexander, and his discovery that the gift his Nanny has given him is not so terrible after all, is a wonderful message for children and adults alike. A gift given in love is truly a treasure. I can’t wait to see what’s next for this author!-- Nicole Little - Review @ No Shelf Control --

After reading the picture book “Sweater” written and illustrated by Atlantic Canadian Emily Hepditch, it’s hard to believe that this was her first attempt at a children’s book. With an adjective-rich text, I found it to be a perfect children's read-aloud book. The description of Alexander’s sweater was priceless. It was “big and itchy and sweaty and scratchy, and it makes him look like a marshmallow.” The illustrations were colourful and matched the text perfectly. Without spoiling the story I will say that Grandmas know best in the practical vs. fashionable debate and to be warm on a “blustery, snowy, wintry day” you often do look like a marshmallow. I’m sure “Sweater” is just the beginning of a long and very successful career for Emily, as both a children’s story writer and illustrator!-- Sue Slade, Goodreads May 18, 2022 (5/5 rating) --