Review by New York Times Review
WHILE SOME SEA STORIES are mainly good for a pirate-? thrill, others take young readers a bit deeper. The vast scope and power of the high seas makes the world's oceans a dramatic setting for stories for those just getting their sea-legs as thoughtful, feeling, capable humans. Four new picture books leave dry land behind to reflect on the rewards and perils of friendship, empathy, courage and more. The stakes are high in Mordicai Gerstein's "The Boy and The Whale," a tautly constructed narrative about a fisherman's son who wishes to free a whale from the net his father depends on for his livelihood. As the story unfolds, Gerstein, winner of the 2004 Caldecott Medal for "The Man Who Walked Between the Towers," leaves readers in suspense as to whether the whale can in fact be saved, whether the task is too much for a child, and whether sparing an animal's life is worth risking the family's economic survival. In the moral logic of the tale, pragmatic considerations cannot be ignored, but empathy for the suffering takes precedence. Gerstein cinches the case in a scene in which the boy, a nimble diver, comes eye to eye with the captive creature and decides that along with the whale's life his own humanity hangs in the balance. Gerstein draws in a fluid, unfussy penline with overlays of watercolor that wash each scene in a warmly articulated light. He neither names his characters nor identifies their ethnic or national background, wisely so in a story whose underlying dilemma might present itself-whale or no whale-to anyone anywhere. Readers who like their sea sagas with a splash of humor may prefer "The Only Fish in the Sea." When a cartoonish-ly crabby girl named Little Amy Scott hurls an unwanted goldfish from a pier, two indignant friends lay plans for a rescue mission. It is this story's attractive premise- as it is that of children's own make-believe fantasies-that feats of heroism as grand as the one Sadie and Sherman contemplate are well within their grasp. Sure enough, clever Sadie, with easy-going Sherman at her side, knows exactly how to fit out a longboat, assemble a crew of smartly attired sailor-chimps, and make for open waters. As the details of their helter-skelter adventure unspool in Matthew Cordell's frizzy, pert, deadpan drawings, Philip C. Stead, whose tonally adroit knack for comedic dialog recalls Charles Schulz's, lets readers eavesdrop on snippets of the onboard conversation. When sweet, uncomplicated Sherman asks what's next for the goldfish-not if but when they succeed in finding him-Sadie responds by waxing eloquent on the proper care and feeding of those we love. She ends with a few choice words about Little Amy Scott, the cause of all their troubles, and let's just say: no happy-birthday wishes for her. "The Antlered Ship" aims for a dreamier, artier style of sea-faring fantasy. It features a splendid age-of-sail tall ship sporting an impressive antler-themed prow, and a surreal all-animal crew captained by a doe named Sylvia. In port, other creatures sign on as crewmembers, including some venturesome pigeons and a philosopher fox named Marco who is seeking answers to life's big questions, or rather to pretty big ones like, "Why don't trees ever talk?" and "Why is water so wet?" Oh dear-or perhaps, oh deer! As the ship and narrative drift in tandem, readers can only pray that Marco will not redirect his musings to more mundane matters, such as the odds of enjoying a pigeon repast. The illustrations by the brothers Terry and Eric Fan are breathtakingly good. The Fans have an exquisite command of atmosphere and the ability as draftsmen to conjure up a fully realized world-even when, as here, they're starting from a generically written prose text that loses its way in the intriguing scenario it first set in motion. More down to earth is "Robinson," a dream adventure propelled by a schoolchild's decision to attend a costume party dressed as his favorite storybook hero, Robinson Crusoe. Things go badly wrong when young Peter's schoolmates mercilessly mock the elaborate faux-fur costume his mother prepared for him. Surely it would have been better to go in standard-issue pirate gear, as Peter knew the others were all planning to do. Or not: with a gentle nudge from his mother, he opted instead to make a more personal statement, and is repaid for his efforts with a jolt of group rejection that leaves him feeling as alone as any shipwrecked traveler on a desert island. What began as a parent's well-meaning intervention in her child's social affairs morphs for Peter into a developmental flash point. Thrning feverish, the shaken boy escapes into a dream that in some respects mimics Crusoe's island exile (although happily not the part about Friday!). In this dream, Peter forages for food, makes his own clothing and shelter, and keeps an eye out for pesky pirates. Readers can see that on awakening Peter is more his own person than before, and is ready to re-connect on his own terms with school chums who, as children do, have also moved on and are keen for his company. Peter Sis, who grew up in Soviet-Bloc Czechoslovakia and has lived in the United States since 1982, has made a specialty of chronicling the lives of maverick outsiders from Galileo to Darwin. He first told bits and pieces of his own coming-of-age story in "The Wall," but the autobiographical "Robinson" is a more intimate, child's-eye view of a schoolboy's struggles to navigate the treacherous crosscurrents of self and society. It is hard not to feel for this child. In his illustrations for "Robinson," Sis reprises long-time favorite graphic maneuvers-arresting bird's eye perspectives, imaginary landscapes that double as maps of themselves-while also showing a new interest in color that mirrors the story's heightened emotional urgency. Growing up, these evocative images imply, can feel a lot like being lost at sea, but the imagination is a good map to steer by. LEONARDS. MARCUS'S most recent book is "Golden Legacy: The Story of Golden Books."
Copyright (c) The New York Times Company [November 12, 2017]
Review by Booklist Review
*Starred Review* The Fan brothers bring their arresting artistry, first seen in The Night Gardener (2016), to Slater's tale of Marco, an inquisitive fox searching for answers in the wider world. Marco's rather philosophical mind is teeming with questions: Why don't trees ever talk? How deep does the sun go when it sinks into the sea? The unexpected arrival of a large ship adorned with a magnificent masthead of a stag's treelike antlers offers Marco the chance to seek out the answers his fellow foxes can't provide. Marco joins the ship's deer crew, along with a flock of adventurous pigeons, and the animals set sail for Sweet Tree Island. Their journey is fraught with stormy seas, paltry meals, sharp rocks, and a pirate horde, but once safely on the island, Marco gains some insight at last. Finely detailed illustrations in graphite and ballpoint pen evoke the dramatic moments of Slater's story as effectively as the contemplative, such as when turbulent green-gray seas give way to a star-studded sky, or in the peachy sunset washing over Marco and his new friends. Young readers will revel in the whimsical touches, like the peg-legged pigeon sailor and the imaginative map gracing the book's endpapers. This gorgeous, eye-opening adventure is an engrossing reading experience that proudly touts curiosity and finding friendship in kindred spirits.--Smith, Julia Copyright 2017 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Marco, a fox, thirsts to know everything: "Why don't trees ever talk? How deep does the sun go when it sinks into the sea?" A ship appears off the coast of Marco's forest. It's crewed by deer (they're poor sailors, they admit), and its figurehead is a stag with a massive set of antlers. Together with a flock of pigeons, Marco embarks on a nautical adventure in hopes of locating foxes who can answer his questions. The sailors encounter storms, dangerous rocks, and pirates before finding the island refuge they seek. In spreads that evoke seafaring motifs from the Odyssey to Treasure Island, the Fan brothers (The Night Gardener) lavish care on every delicate detail, from the ship's rigging to the foam on the waves. Breathtaking seascapes alternate with cozy scenes below decks as predators and prey huddle peaceably. Slater (Escargot) creates a story to lose oneself in, an adventure packed with risk and possibility. The ship becomes a community, and Marco and his questions part of its journey. Ages 4-8. Author's agent: Erin Murphy, Erin Murphy Literary. Illustrators' agent: Kirsten Hall, Catbird Agency. (Sept.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2-A fox sets sail in search of answers to questions about life, the universe, and everything in this picture book fantasy. Marco the fox wonders about many things, but the other foxes are more concerned with chicken soup than with philosophy. When an antlered ship appears, captained by deer traveling to an island of "tall, sweet grass and short, sweet trees," Marco seizes the opportunity to seek out other foxes who may have answers. The crew sails across treacherous seas, triumphing over sharp rocks and fierce pirates before arriving safely at Sweet Tree Island. Alas, there are no foxes to be found, and Marco's travels have only yielded more questions. Yet, he also has new friends and the chance for further adventures-perhaps that is enough. Slater's adventure narrative is an epic journey with a classic feel, perfectly scaled for a picture-book audience. The straightforward text is lyrical, rhythmic, and begs to be read aloud. Graphite-and-pen illustrations by the Fan Brothers depict expressive, realistically drawn animals sporting the occasional hat or bandanna. As the distinctive prow of the antlered ship sails through ethereal seascapes, young audiences can follow its path through the detailed maps included on the endpapers. VERDICT Marco's discovery that the world is full of questions, but not always answers, is at once profound and entirely accessible to young audiences. Make this gently thrilling celebration of life's big questions a first-purchase.-Chelsea Couillard-Smith, Hennepin County Library, MN © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Inquisitive fox Marco joins a ship's wayward deer and pigeon crew, and they battle a fearsome sea, hunger, and pirates. The Fan brothers create mood through rich textures and a soft color palette, giving the book a nostalgic feel. The journey turns out to be the destination, made even better in the company of curious--in every sense of the word--companions. (c) Copyright 2018. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A philosophical fox full of questions boards a ship with strangers and discovers that finding friends is even better than finding answers.Russet-furred Marco wonders about everything. His fellow foxes care mainly about dinner. When a great, antlered wooden ship, captained by a deer named Sylvia, docks in the harbor, Marco goes down to see it. Intrigued by the possibility of finding other foxes who share his curiosity, Marco decides to set sail, as do an adventurous flock of pigeons led by Victor, pictured as a one-legged bird in a bandanna. While they struggle a bit with the unfamiliar tasks and are beset by the typical dangers that sailors face, Marco, Sylvia, and Victor each contribute to the success of their journey. In the mostly dreamy, delicate pen-and-pencil illustrations, colored digitally, Marco the fox and the other animals are shown as sapient but not completely anthropomorphized. The antlered ship is delightfully detailed and decorated, the pirates our heroes encounter are appropriately toothy and threatening (even the cutlass-wielding mouse), and the sepia-colored maps on the endpapers feature deliciously evocative names. The old-fashioned appearance of the Fans' artwork perfectly suits Slater's contemplative, musing tone. While the ending is hardly a surprise, it feels right, true, and not the least bit clichd. A beautifully composed package filled with whimsy and wisdomthe story of this unique vessel will inspire and entertain thoughtful listeners. (Picture book. 4-7) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
