Scan barcode
justonemorebookhonest's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
kitsuneheart's review against another edition
4.0
A charming tale told all in pictures. A boy finds an underwater camera at the beach. When he develops the photos, he sees a magical underwater world. Finally, he joins in the chain of people who ahve shared this discovery, putting in new film and returning the camera to the sea.
Since there are no words, the pictures in this book had to be phenomenal. And they are! So much so that they won the Caldecott Medal. Each image has the larger overall plot, of course, but there is always a little detail to be found. An octopus leg coming out of a box, a feisty crab, an alien poking a fish with a stick. Taking the time to find the details with young readers will give this book some real staying power.
Since there are no words, the pictures in this book had to be phenomenal. And they are! So much so that they won the Caldecott Medal. Each image has the larger overall plot, of course, but there is always a little detail to be found. An octopus leg coming out of a box, a feisty crab, an alien poking a fish with a stick. Taking the time to find the details with young readers will give this book some real staying power.
lyx's review
4.75
Revisiting my childhood favourites.
Really love this one. Wiesner's creativity and imagination are boundless!
Really love this one. Wiesner's creativity and imagination are boundless!
shesnotthere's review against another edition
5.0
My son loves this book! The illustrations are absolutely stunning.
itselvv's review against another edition
مثير للاهتمام جدًا، والنهاية ظريفة، لكن أتمنى لو كانت القصة مفهومة أكثر.
rachelgnelson's review against another edition
5.0
This book was amazing. After reading it, I started going through all of his works because I loved how he combined both science and whimsy. Although completely without words, the story is told completely through the beautiful illustrations. I liked the world it protrayed and the message of connection that is expressed.
sducharme's review against another edition
5.0
A camera's journey through the ocean is documented by the photographs it takes. When the camera washes up, each new owner goes through the same amazing process of discovery. Stunning and imaginative paintings and a popular "read" aloud with children.
cris_bookreader's review against another edition
5.0
Assignment: Picture Book Project
Category: Caldecott
Recommending Source: Caldecott Medal 2007
Review: While enjoying a day at the beach with his family, a young beachcomber stumbles upon an old camera that washes upon the shore. After examining the camera, the boy soon realizes that an undeveloped roll of film lies inside. He quickly takes it to the nearest film processing center and is astonished to see a variety of sea creatures and their interesting adventures as well as many other children around the world that have taken self-portraits to share with the next person to find the camera. After taking his own portrait, the tide rolls in and captures the pictures spreading them out towards the open sea. The boy thinks about the camera and its purpose, and then throws the camera out into the sea to continue to capture many more ocean adventures.
Looking at the front of the dust cover, the reader is given a close-up view of a red fish swimming with a smaller school of gray fish. The back cover is a continuation of the scene on the front showing the rest of the body of the fish. Under the dust cover, there are no illustrations other than a centered imprint of an octopus below the book’s title in small text. Opening the book, the end pages look just like sand by their color and the tiny specks spread all over the paper. Opposite of the copyright page is a scene of a boy beachcombing at the shore. Turning to the copyright and title page, the reader views a table that displays a variety of items that are found along the shores of the beach. The text from both the copyright and title page is incorporated into the display by placing them on either yellowed paper or pieces of driftwood. The use of watercolor in the beach scenes blend naturally with the detailed illustrations throughout the book.
Flotsam would be a great opportunity for children to use their own imaginations and draw what they think happens under the sea. They could also write a descriptive paragraph explaining what they drew and then share it with the class. Another activity would be for students to collect small items from nature in their own surroundings, write about their observations, and share their experiences with their classmates.
This book was beautifully illustrated and brings me to nostalgic memories of my childhood growing up in Virginia Beach. During the times in which my family and I return to Virginia to visit during the summer, one of my family’s all-time favorite pastimes is to enjoy being at the beach. Our duty stations with the Air Force have taken us around the world to many landlocked places. I have met people in some of these places that have never been to a beach. Flotsam would be a good introduction to what one may experience when visiting the beach. After reading this book, I’m interested in more of David Wiesner’s books and will definitely add this one to my personal collection. David Wiesner did a fantastic job of telling a story entirely through the use of pictures. I feel as though that feat is extremely difficult to accomplish.
Category: Caldecott
Recommending Source: Caldecott Medal 2007
Review: While enjoying a day at the beach with his family, a young beachcomber stumbles upon an old camera that washes upon the shore. After examining the camera, the boy soon realizes that an undeveloped roll of film lies inside. He quickly takes it to the nearest film processing center and is astonished to see a variety of sea creatures and their interesting adventures as well as many other children around the world that have taken self-portraits to share with the next person to find the camera. After taking his own portrait, the tide rolls in and captures the pictures spreading them out towards the open sea. The boy thinks about the camera and its purpose, and then throws the camera out into the sea to continue to capture many more ocean adventures.
Looking at the front of the dust cover, the reader is given a close-up view of a red fish swimming with a smaller school of gray fish. The back cover is a continuation of the scene on the front showing the rest of the body of the fish. Under the dust cover, there are no illustrations other than a centered imprint of an octopus below the book’s title in small text. Opening the book, the end pages look just like sand by their color and the tiny specks spread all over the paper. Opposite of the copyright page is a scene of a boy beachcombing at the shore. Turning to the copyright and title page, the reader views a table that displays a variety of items that are found along the shores of the beach. The text from both the copyright and title page is incorporated into the display by placing them on either yellowed paper or pieces of driftwood. The use of watercolor in the beach scenes blend naturally with the detailed illustrations throughout the book.
Flotsam would be a great opportunity for children to use their own imaginations and draw what they think happens under the sea. They could also write a descriptive paragraph explaining what they drew and then share it with the class. Another activity would be for students to collect small items from nature in their own surroundings, write about their observations, and share their experiences with their classmates.
This book was beautifully illustrated and brings me to nostalgic memories of my childhood growing up in Virginia Beach. During the times in which my family and I return to Virginia to visit during the summer, one of my family’s all-time favorite pastimes is to enjoy being at the beach. Our duty stations with the Air Force have taken us around the world to many landlocked places. I have met people in some of these places that have never been to a beach. Flotsam would be a good introduction to what one may experience when visiting the beach. After reading this book, I’m interested in more of David Wiesner’s books and will definitely add this one to my personal collection. David Wiesner did a fantastic job of telling a story entirely through the use of pictures. I feel as though that feat is extremely difficult to accomplish.
annalisenak97's review against another edition
5.0
Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. This is a book without words that is very exciting and grabs the reader's attention right away. The illustrations are SUPERB, whimsical and witty and colorful and beautifully rendered. Also, WHALES