Wallace, Ian (Illustr.): Mavis and Merna

Ian Wallace has created a very beautiful book in which he explores the relationship between a young girl and a young widow.

Merna was married to the owner of Gully’s store. Located on the main street of a small town on the ocean shore, Gully’s sells everything from shoes, to wax, to matches, to rain gear. A little girl, Mavis, would like to buy everything in the store.

But when Merna’s husband suddenly dies, she holds a wake in the store, then closes it down indefinitely. Mavis’s parents speculate that Merna must have inherited a fortune. Mavis goes over to Merna’s house to see if she can spot evidence of this fortune. But instead of finding money she finds a lifelong friendship. Finally after many years, Mavis and Merna re-open Gully’s which has now become almost a museum of wonders.

This touching, gentle story of loss and the healing power of friendship and life in a small town is Ian Wallace at his finest.