Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Delicate chalk and digital renderings by Guojing (The Flamingo) engross in this wordless story about a house precariously perched on the edge of a seaside overhang. Soft-edged panels showcase a growing family's days as inhabitants of the bright-red home. Muted imagery first depicts a loving couple venturing forth via a rowboat and caringly cutting a dolphin loose from netting. The season shifts, and the couple appear in silhouette, this time revealing a baby bump. Joy emanates from proceeding visuals of a young child exuberantly walking, biking, sledding, swinging, swimming-- the landscape routinely proving as much a character as the figures. When the large waves of a storm arrive, seemingly resulting in a permanent sea rise, the threat to the little abode is clear, and the trio, portrayed with pale skin and dark hair, enact an unlikely plan to save their home in the face of forces beyond their control. Though the book's climax doesn't fully cohere, recurrent symbols expressively convey narrative shifts, while bird's-eye views of the house and terrain give the work an epic quality. The result is a resonant portrait of adaptation that's at once sorrowful and triumphant. Ages 4--8. (Sept.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 3--Perched on the edge of a seaside cliff is a house which, despite its precarious balance, protects a treasured family inside. The family grows; what also grows are their efforts to preserve the natural habitats found in the land and sea nearby. When a substantial storm dramatically alters the landscape around the house, however, the family must decide how their lives will change as a result. And through it all, the house weathers the challenges alongside the family, continuing to offer loving protection from the unexpected events taking place around them all. This nostalgic, wordless picture book recounts a riveting story through imagery alone. Much like a graphic novel, several of the pages are subdivided into smaller frames to focus on specific moments within the story, crafting a narrative flow that is complete with tension and denouement. Soft hues and textures form the foundation of each image, giving the visuals a diffuse appearance that suggests a dreamlike, whimsical quality. Though climate change and environmental protection are primary themes in the story, so is the resilience of one particular family. Readers will be inspired to create their own narrative based on the images in this book, inviting conversation and reflection especially surrounding the book's more emotional moments. VERDICT Imaginative and thought-provoking, this beautifully crafted, wordless book is a profound addition to library collections for young readers.--Mary Lanni
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Review by Horn Book Review
Guojing (The Flamingo, rev. 11/22; Oasis, rev. 3/25) presents a vivid wordless picture book about a family who lives in a small seaside cabin atop a steep cliff. We first meet a young couple who frees a dolphin ensnared in their fishing net. The soft-focus paneled illustrations follow the seasons as they come and go, and the family grows to include a child. The three live an idyllic life together, relishing such simple pleasures as swimming in the ocean, stargazing, and woodcarving. The child joins their parents out fishing; on one magical trip, a pod of dolphins frolics around their motorboat. Meanwhile, the sea waters rise higher and higher toward their house on the cliff. After one massive rainstorm, the land where the house stands floods, and the house is entirely surrounded by water. Together, the family labors to construct a raft for the cabin and tows their home behind the boat, leading to the book's titular voyage in search of dry land. This tale of a loving family's resilience in the face of changing circumstances is conveyed through luminous chalk and digital drawings that communicate a strong appreciation and respect for nature and the environment. A cinematic page-turner, it may fuel children's imaginations as they weave their own stories to accompany these images. Michelle LeeSeptember/October 2025 p.42 (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
A family faces change with true ingenuity. Residing on an isolated cliff in a tiny red house, a couple spend their days fishing, dreaming, and watching the seasons pass. Soon they're joined by a new companion, a baby whom they nurture year by year, sharing their love for moonlit nights and dolphin watching. As enchanting as their life is, the water that surrounds them is slowly, steadily rising, threatening to swallow their home, once far above sea level. With bravery and trust, the trio build a raft and transport their dwelling to higher ground, where waiting inhabitants hoist it into a peaceful green meadow. This enticing story is told wordlessly, with painterly landscapes providing the perfect setting for tender, intuitive interactions among a small cast of characters. As with much of Guojing's work, a clear line connects this intimate tale to real-life societal challenges--in this case, the troubling consequences of climate change. And, like Guojing's other books, the narrative is woven through with an unassailable belief in human goodness, the importance of family and community bonds, and the ineffable beauty of the fleeting world. All of this is adeptly communicated within the space and simplicity of a picture book without feeling overwhelming or overwrought. The couple and their child are dark-haired and pale-skinned. A hopeful vision of love and persistence in the face of peril.(Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
