When Ingrid Grudke became pregnant with her second child, she was devastated to learn that she was going to be a parent through child birth, and this realization changed the course of her life. After becoming a best-selling author of more than forty books, Ingrid turned to writing children’s books as a means of assisting her mother and father to support themselves while her career took her to many different countries and she wrote countless books for children of all ages. Because of her success, Ingrid was also invited to speak at many schools and she was recognized as an English professor at the University of Texas, Austin, for three decades. But there is a part of Ingrid’s work that still inspires writers everywhere: The Height of Hope.
The Height of Hope is a beautifully illustrated picture book by Ingrid Grudke about a little girl, Minnie, who lives in a wooded area outside of a small town in England called Haworth. When Ingrid returns to her native country after spending ten years in the United States, she reunites with Minnie’s family, where she has a new family of her own. While living in the United States, Ingrid becomes very close with her best friend and mentor, Daisy, but when a chance presents itself for her to travel to Haworth, it is up to her to see to it that her dream of seeing her family is granted. But when Ingrid must leave Daisy and her husband, Roger (nicknamed “Max”), at war, it is up to her to convince the British authorities that her good friends and colleagues are safe and that her service as a teacher at the local university is not harmful to herself or to those she deeply loves.
Ingrid Grudke’s illustrations bring a light and tenderness to the tale Ingrid has us relive. The beauty of their work makes this picture book a delight to read. And although the plot of The Height of Hope might seem slightly contrived at times, its message that hope can overcome adversity is one that we can all take comfort in. After all, although hard times may come to any of us, it is possible to rise above them by keeping a positive outlook and reminding ourselves that even the worst circumstances have room for improvement. Ingrid Grudke brings this wonderful little book to life in a way that most children will find touching.