"Until one day he has a new
thought. He hurries home to
find paper and pencil.
On his table sits a bottle
with flowers. He empties it,
rolls his paper,
slips it inside."
Living in a lighthouse can be very lonely for a young boy. Caspian is that boy. Our first glimpse of him is on a double page spread that shows the lighthouse sitting atop a wall of bare rock on an island surrounded by the sea, the child standing on an outcropping of mostly bare land watching that sea ... alone. A turn of the page shows the darkness of night, and the brilliance of the light that continues his search.
Caspian is patient, to a point. When he tires of waiting, he springs into action. He writes a note, puts it in a bottle and sends it out to sea. Releasing it, he can only watch it float 'farther and farther' away from him. For days, and weeks, and months, he goes about living his life while always wondering if a friend might find it. As luck would have it, the bottle is returned. Inside is a note with one word.
Caspian is soon off on a sea adventure, with satisfying and spectacular results.
A gorgeous mix of text and art, this is a book that will be enjoyed by all who read it. The rhythm of the words match the gentle movement of the water. The luminous artwork created with oil paint, relief print, and charcoal changes from the sadness of being ever lonely to the joy of adventure and hopefulness that comes with finding a needed friend. Its quiet allure make it a perfect bedtime read.
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