I've written about David Wiesner before, but Flotsam is rather different to the quirky and fun Three Pigs. It is a sweeping and majestic wordless picture book that deals with connectivity and the mystery of fantasy. Looking closer is strongly encouraged as we learn what the ocean holds.
A boy exploring the beach and it's creatures, finds a underwater camera washed up by a wave. When it isn't claimed, he discovers it has film in it and takes it to be developed. When the photos are ready, he is amazed to discover more about his world than he thought existed.
All sorts of magical things are hidden by the waves. But when he finds the final photo, he is confused. It is of a girl, holding a photo of a boy. At closer inspection, that boy is holding a photo of a boy who is holding a photo of a girl and so on, getting smaller and smaller, the original boy first uses his magnifying glass, then his microscope to zoom in so far that there is a boy standing on a beach in a black and white photo. He then joins the ranks of children, connected throughout time and across the world by taking a photo of himself, holding this last photo.
Then, returning the camera to the ocean, we get to follow the journey of it, helped by creatures of all kinds, till it washes up in front of a girl on some distant shore.
I love the journey this book takes you on. I love the idea of a camera like this. And the fantasy element is so perfectly achieved! David Wiesner is a genius!
Find it on Goodreads
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