Bethan Welby – illustratör

Did you know there was a School for Imaginary Friends? Well there is - and one of its star pupils is the narrator of Ray's story.Ray loves life in his village, until one day he hears his parents talking about moving house. Horrified by the idea, Ray invents an imaginary friend to talk to and even runs away. Eventually Ray is able to accept the move, and also the Ukrainian refugee mother and child who come to live with his family in their new home.As Ray finds his feet again, the Imaginary Friend wonders if he is needed any more, or if he can also move on?

Grace is a little girl; Phyllis is the old lady next door. Phyllis lives alone and her memory is fading, but that doesn't stop Grace from liking her. They find that, despite the gap in their ages, they have much in common and a moving and enduring friendship is born.This is a deeply touching story for all the family of how a little girl befriends her elderly neighbour who has dementia, and the sensitive and engaging illustrations are beautifully observed.