Review by Booklist Review
James lives on a tiny island in a comfy cottage by the sea. Every morning, he dons his red coat, hops on his trusty bicycle, and makes the rounds, greeting the otters in the water, the bunnies grazing near their burrow, and even the brown-bear family in their dark cave. The enchanted existence is upended by a fierce storm, and though James appreciates his snug shelter, he heads into the wild night to check on his neighbors. An increasingly concerned James can't find a single animal in their usual abodes, but when he returns to his house, he finds that all the animals have holed up there, worried about him. The wonderfully welcoming world is packed with coziness and kindness, though the squall provides just enough tension to keep things compelling. Softly textured mixed-media illustrations carefully capture both the sunnier side of the island existence along with the dark storm scenes, and lanterns and windows truly seem to glow from within. A gentle gem of an island adventure that readers will long to live in.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Horn Book Review
James lives on an island, which he shares with plenty of other creatures (otters, rabbits, birds, bears) whom he greets from his bike every day. Rounded shapes, soft textures, and warm colors make for a blissful backdrop for the text to punctuate: "Every day was the same. Every day was wonderful." Then one night a storm rolls in, and the mixed-media illustrations take the mood from sunny and serene to dark and threatening in a page-turn. Though James and his cat are safe at home, he worries about his animal neighbors and ultimately goes out to check on them. Art and text work together to amplify the volatility of the weather and James's alarm at finding himself in it alone -- all the animals are gone. The light from his lantern emits a reminder of the safety of home, but when he finally gets back there, some unusual shadows call even that safety into question. All ends well in this compelling island adventure in which everyone truly cares about their neighbors. The illustrations create dramatic moments and endearing characters through deliberate use of shape, color, and line and are full of special details to notice. Endpapers open the story with a single sailboat on a vast sea but close with many boats sailing together, cleverly bookending the story's broader themes. Julie RoachSeptember/October 2025 p.45 (c) Copyright 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
James lives alone in a small house on an island. Despite his solitude, the light-skinned youngster isn't lonely at all; each morning he greets his animal friends as he bikes around the island. James enjoys his soothingly predictable routine, but one night, a storm assails the island. Although he's frightened, he decides to venture out to check on his pals. His familiar terrain has transformed something unfamiliar, and his anxiety only increases when none of his friends appear to be at home. Too frightened to stay outdoors much longer, James heads back to his own house, only to see terrifying-looking shapes through the window. Once safe inside, he finds his friends gathered there, just as worried about him as James was about them. The mutual concern is evident on the characters' faces--animals and boy. The lyrical, quietly intense language builds tension expertly, while the mixed-media illustrations please the senses, contrasting idyllic scenes with the ferocity of the storm. Jones' use of color and texture is especially effective; he blends blues, blacks, and whites for a page showing crashing waves that threaten to engulf the island, while he employs warm oranges and browns for his depictions of James' cozy home. By turns fearsome, surprising, and comforting--an ideal adventure for little ones.(Picture book. 5-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
