A Story That Lingers Like Sea Breeze
Some stories don’t just end, they echo. The Last Last by Wendy J. Whittingham, illustrated with radiant soul by Brianna McCarthy, is one such story. It’s a poetic, emotionally resonant picture book that captures the ache and beauty of leaving behind a beloved home and stepping into the unknown.
Inspired by Whittingham’s own childhood in Jamaica, this tale is a gentle yet powerful meditation on migration, memory, and the courage it takes to say goodbye. From the first page, readers are immersed in the sensory richness of island life: the crunch of sugarcane, the scent of roast corn, the barefoot strolls past chickens and loose dogs. But beneath the vibrant surface lies a quiet emotional current—a child’s fear of change, her longing to hold onto what’s slipping away. This is not just a story for children; it’s a balm for anyone who has ever had to let go.
A Child’s Lasts: Honoring the Moments That Shape Us
The protagonist faces the upheaval of leaving her Caribbean home for a new life in Canada. Her family is busy packing, but she’s not ready. So she takes one final walk through her neighborhood, collecting “lasts”: the last chew of sugarcane, the last splash in the ocean, the last gaze at the sky that has always watched over her.
These moments are rendered with lyrical simplicity, allowing young readers to grasp the emotional weight of transition. Whittingham’s prose is tender and restrained, never overwrought, and McCarthy’s illustrations—gouache and acrylic in bold, tropical hues—wrap the story in warmth and familiarity. The visuals are not just decorative; they are emotional landscapes, mirroring the protagonist’s inner world.
From Goodbye to Hello: Finding Firsts in a New World
When the family arrives in Toronto, the contrast is stark: towering buildings, bustling streets, unfamiliar sounds. Yet amid the strangeness, the girl hears the cry of a blue jay—a moment that marks her “first first.” It’s a subtle but profound shift. The story doesn’t promise easy adaptation, but it offers hope: that new beginnings can coexist with cherished memories. This duality—honoring the past while embracing the future—is what makes The Last Last so emotionally intelligent. It doesn’t rush the healing process. Instead, it invites children to feel deeply, to name their emotions, and to understand that change, while difficult, can also be beautiful.
Art That Breathes: Brianna McCarthy’s Visual Poetry
McCarthy’s illustrations deserve their own standing ovation. Her palette sings with Caribbean vibrancy—fuchsia florals, turquoise seas, golden sunlight—and then softens into cooler tones as the family transitions to their new home. The shift in color mirrors the emotional journey, guiding readers gently from warmth to wonder. Her characters are expressive, her landscapes immersive. Every page feels like a love letter to the Caribbean, and a promise that its spirit can travel with you, wherever you go.
A Book That Grows With You
The Last Last is more than a children’s book, it’s a keepsake of emotional truth. It speaks to the universal experience of leaving something behind, whether it’s a place, a person, or a phase of life. And it reminds us that while goodbyes are hard, they make room for new hellos. This book will resonate with children facing big changes, and with adults who remember their own “last lasts.” It’s a story that grows with you, offering comfort, courage, and the quiet assurance that home is not just a place, it’s a feeling you carry.
Until next time…Happy Parenting!
~ Momma Braga
