Jessica Moffat's Silver Locket

Deborah Dowson is a children’s librarian in Pickering, Ontario.

Jessica’s grandmother recently died and bequeathed to Jessica her
silver locket. Holding tight to the locket, Jessica hears about
financial difficulties her father is having with his business.
Jessica’s grandfather thinks of a way to raise money. Years ago, he
had collected stamps and he thinks one in particular would be valuable
enough to solve the problem. The location of the stamp remains a mystery
until Jessica dreams about her grandmother and the stamp’s location is
revealed to her. Young and old triumph, despite the doubts of the
parents, and the worrisome problem is solved. In the process, Jessica
discovers a connection with her grandmother that helps to ease her
grief.

This is a sophisticated picture book that is serious in tone and
subject. As a modern, middle-class fairy tale in which a fairy
“grandmother” magically saves the day, the book conveys a somewhat
troubling message in that the revelation is meant to provide material
enrichment (the money gained is used to buy computers for the father’s
business) as much as it is to meant to be personally enlightening.
Recommended with reservations.