The Shoemaker's Splendid Lamp by Tuula Pere is an outstanding children’s illustrated book about a poor shoemaker and his youngest son, Aron. The boy is in constant poor health and cannot attend school like his siblings. His prospects for recovery are poor, according to the doctors. In this era, there is no electricity and lamps provide the only light inside a home. However, being poor, the family cannot afford anything but the most basic lighting. But one day at a market, the boy asks if they can buy a very large and expensive lamp. On impulse, the father agrees. The light not only helps keep the home brighter so the shoemaker can work longer, but it also brings warmth and comfort to the boy’s chest. Soon the poor family can no longer afford the oil to light the lamp, and the neighbor often comes by in an attempt to buy it from them. What is the family to do?

Reminiscent of A Christmas Carol and Tiny Tim’s plight, this story makes you fall in love with little Aron, rooting for him, and hoping that the doctors are wrong and that he will survive the winter. The gentleness and love we see in this family, coupled with the excellent artwork by Georgia Stylou, make this story a true treasure. The ending shows the positive effects of people who care about one another. I recommend The Shoemaker's Splendid Lamp by Tuula Pere for all young readers and for those who are still youngsters at heart.

The Shoemaker’s Splendid Lamp, written by Tuula Pere and illustrated by Georgia Stylou, is about a shoemaker and his son, Aron, who is severely ill. The shoemaker, despite his poverty and the hardship of raising many children, focuses on making perfect boots to support his family. As winter progresses, Aron’s health worsens, and he becomes convinced that a bright oil lamp will help him recover. The shoemaker, after taking Aron to the market, buys a beautiful but expensive lamp. Over time, their neighbor offers to buy the lamp, but the shoemaker refuses, believing it is essential for Aron’s recovery. As spring approaches, Aron’s condition deteriorates, and the shoemaker faces dwindling resources and an almost impossible decision. The story is accompanied by full-color, original artwork.

The Shoemaker’s Splendid Lamp by Tuula Pere is a heartwarming and beautifully crafted tale that wraps readers in a message of hope, love, resilience, and charity. The story, though simple on the surface, carries a weightiness uncommon in children's literature. It's implied that Aron's illness is likely to be terminal and offers a touching portrayal of his father’s devotion to him. The writing is tender, yet unflinching, with illustrations to match. Georgia Stylou's art is absolutely stunning, featuring a soft, highly textured palette with the singular contrast being the sharpened, glowing lamp. The visuals enhance the lamp and Aron's frailness to elevate the emotional impact of the story. While not a fairy tale, I found the literary style and themes to be aligned with the works of Hans Christian Andersen and Carlo Collodi, which says a great deal about the impression it left on me and my youngest reader.