Marlo and the Attic Book: The Mirror of Many Faces

Marlo and the Attic Book: The Mirror of Many Faces
by Ana Cristina Leitao
 
Marlo and the Attic Book: The Mirror of Many Faces follows a curious girl named Marlo who discovers a mysterious mirror in her attic—one that doesn’t reflect her own image, but instead reveals the faces and dreams of children from around the world. Along with her friend Noa and her faithful companion Pip, Marlo is swept into a magical journey through the mirror, visiting children of many cultures, languages, and abilities. From a lantern-lit sky with Yuki to a snowy race with Luca, from Leila’s henna stories to Zanele’s wordless paintings, each encounter offers Marlo a new lens on life, identity, and empathy. By the time she returns to the attic, Marlo is changed—not into someone new, but someone who sees others more clearly and listens more deeply.
 
In the end, Marlo realizes that kindness begins when we listen—and that every face, every story, deserves to be seen and heard.
 
A radiant celebration of diversity, empathy, and the quiet power of listening. Ana Cristina Leitao’s Marlo and the Attic Book: The Mirror of Many Faces is an enchanting journey across cultures, abilities, and languages, wrapped in gentle, lyrical prose and brimming with emotional depth. The story's magical realism draws children into a world where every person’s uniqueness is not just acknowledged but honored.
 
The book beautifully explores themes of inclusion and identity without ever feeling heavy-handed. Each child Marlo meets offers a window into a different way of experiencing the world—through movement, food, music, silence, or story. These tender, thoughtful encounters encourage young readers to embrace differences with curiosity and compassion.
 
The illustrations sparkle with imagination, and the narrative closes with a resonant truth: that we are changed not by becoming someone else, but by learning to truly see others.
 
Perfect for classrooms, bedtime, or any child learning to navigate a diverse world, Marlo and the Attic Book is a timeless reminder that every heart is a mirror—and listening is where kindness begins.

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