If I could just spend a day living in Elly MacKay’s illustrations all of my cares would just melt away. In Hidden Treasure readers are treated to an ethereal trip to the seaside with a little girl, her dog and her father/grandfather.

The story flows from page to page just like the waves of the water. In beautiful, lyrical rhyme, readers head to the bay and discover all of the treasures to be found along the way and those that are waiting on the beach. We are reminded that treasure is not just the stuff buried by pirates in old fairy tales but treasure is all around us. Treasure is found in the people and pets that spend time with us. Treasure is nature we can find walking around our neighbourhood. Treasure is hunting for feathers and sea glass. Treasure is a day at the beach with a favourite adult who loves us.

The illustrations in this story are something from a dream. The incredible way Elly MacKay layers her dioramas and lights them to create ethereal scenes is breathtaking. Using paper, paint, ink and a perfect eye readers are at the beach throughout the story. You can even feel the heat from the sun through the pages. A gorgeous treasure of a book.