#blogbookaday: Off & Away

Summary:

“How would you get mail if you lived in the middle of the sea? It’s Jo’s dad’s job to deliver it, taking bottles wherever they need to go. He always comes home with exciting stories to tell-but Jo is far too afraid to go out on the ocean herself. Until Dad gets a bad sea cold, that is. With no one but Jo to deliver the bottles, she must find her courage and set sail alone. As she embarks on her mission, her fears just might be replaced with new friendships… and grand stories of her own.
With beautiful, atmospheric art and endearing new characters by author-illustrator Cale Atkinson, this picturebook is a treasure. ” (Taken from Goodreads)

Review:

Jo’s dad delivers all the messages in the bottle and comes back with exciting tales of adventure. But, Jo is too nervous of what lies under the water’s surface to join him. When her father catches a cold, it’s up to Jo to set sail with the bottles and face her fear. With a wild imagination and a courage to match, Jo comes home with stories of her very own and a few unexpected friendships!

Personal Reaction:

I love Cale’s work – both his writing and his illustration. His illustrations are full of bright, bold, rich colors and kids will pour over all the details they see. His characters are absolutely adorable whether they’re human or animal. And his stories are sweet focusing on unexpected friendships and courage. I love that Jo was able to face her fears, meet new friends, and come home just like her father does with a story to share. It’d be really cool to compare Off & Away with The Uncorker of Ocean Bottles by Michelle Cuevas for a look at messages in bottles!

Title: Off & Away
Author: Cale Atkinson
Illustrator: Cale Atkinson
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Publication Date: June 5, 2018

This is a new idea I’m trying on my blog this year that was inspired by @donalynbooks and @heisereads – to provide a brief review of a picture book every day of 2018. You’ll get a brief summary of the story, a review of the content, illustrations and theme, my personal reaction to the book and all the pertinent publication information! Enjoy!