The KIte Collector, written and illustrated by Zoey Abbott. Kids Can Press, 2025. $23.99 ages 4 and up

"So, as soon as he had earned enough money
from walking dogs, watering plants and sweeping 
porches, he marched off to the shops and found a 
jaunty pirate's kite. 

He ran home and gave it to his sister."

James is a very busy young man. He earns money by doing jobs that others need doing. He does it all to use the money to add to his kite collection. Those kites are very personal to James. Every new kite he buys becomes the latest addition to a very personal and magnificent group he hangs carefully in his closet. With each job he does he is able to go the shops and choose a new kite. In his closet, they are beautiful, tidy, safe, just right. 

James has a baby sister GG, who is learning to walk and to get into mischief. A tentacle of the purple octopus kite that James so loves is very intriguing to GG. She likes the way it moves, and wants to hold it. James lets anger get the best of him, and yells at her for touching it. It makes GG sad to hear those words aimed at her. 

Feeling terrible for hurting his baby sister's feelings, James offers a new kite as an apology. GG loves her pirate kite. She invites it for tea, keeps it close at all times. Once older, she wants to fly it. James is aghast. He warns her that it might get tangled or torn. Poor GG. It's happening all over again - James is angry with her. 

It takes time and careful thought for James to reconsider his loud warnings. In the morning, he explains what might happen to GG's kite. It does not change her mind. James shows her how to hold the kite and make it fly. He can not watch. Hearing the sound of the kite in the wind forces him to open his eyes and watch as the kite flies free. Unfortunately, it does not come away from its first flight unscathed.  The next time James earns enough money to go to the shops, he has a new use for the money. He buys, tape, glue and string. You will know why. 

Zoey Abbott tells her story with emotion, using multimedia illustrations to keep her audience tuned in on the relationship between a brother and sister as they manage to find a compromise.