This is the first book I‘ve read by Hardinge, and it won‘t be the last, even though I wanted a bit more from it! I would have loved it to be a bit more fleshed out, but what‘s here is wonderful—a story of compassion & courage, taking on an unexpected task and infusing it with your own unique gifts, standing up against grief gone wrong, and extending care & compassion to others. The illustrations added so much to this lovely, slightly dark story.