*I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
Title: Sail
Author: Dorien Brouwers
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: March 9, 2021
ISBN: 9780316495486
Synopsis from Goodreads:
Out at sea anything can happen: whether trials or triumphs, there are infinite possibilities to explore once we leave the shore. And what lies under the water’s surface, in the darkest depths, can often lead to the most beautiful discoveries. With gentle wisdom and dynamic art that will sweep you away, remarkable debut talent Dorien Brouwers beckons us to climb aboard and discover the courage, grit, and resilience that resides within us all.
Sail is a beautifully illustrated children’s book that takes the metaphor of sailing to apply to life challenges for young readers. Readers are invited to climb aboard and sail the seas, facing and embracing the challenges along the way, and discovering the strength to overcome difficulty and thrive. The story highlights that there is often beauty to be found in even the greatest of challenges.
The images in this book are stunning works of art. They’re a treat to look at and there are lots of colours and textures to engage young readers. My son was fascinated with the colourful and bright fish throughout. The text design is very fluid as well, and compliments the shape and movement of the imagery on each page. Reminiscent of water, the text flows and waves from page to page. There is so much movement throughout
The full Goodreads synopsis suggests that this is for readers of all ages, however I don’t fully agree with this statement, which is why I chose to give this book 4 stars out of 5. It’s a beautiful message and it’s gorgeously illustrated, however the metaphor may be above many young reader’s heads. I expect that my son will not truly understand this book’s message for a long time, although it’s an excellent and encouraging message to share. I did also find some of the rhymes to be a bit clunky. I have read this book aloud a few times (an important feature in a bedtime story), and there are certain sections that have one or two syllables too many, which caused me to trip up. This isn’t a major flaw, but it does lend some element of frustration to the read.
But, overall, it is a very beautiful book, and my criticisms are minimal. I would certainly buy this book myself, or gift it to others. It’s a beautiful addition to any children’s book collection.
Happy reading!
Worn Pages and Ink 