When the world is plagued with isolation and cursed to live without colour, it is up to a group of determined children to grow a seed of hope that will inspire everyone to come together and build a better future.

We called it ‘The Dulling’. It had been creeping in for such a long time, and had started so gradually, that most people barely even noticed.

As the Dulling spread, people began to fight and isolate themselves from each other. Neighbours became enemies, friends became strangers, and soon all colour was drained from the world.

A timeless fable about hope and community-building, Lucy Farfort’s empowering debut was the Centre for Literary in Primary Education’s Back to School selection for 2023.