Book Cover
Justification
I choose Ocean meets sky for my free choice book selection for this blog. While this book is a picture book, it is also so much more. The story takes us on a beautiful journey of a grandson trying to connect with his grandfather who has recently passed away. Ocean meets sky is beautifully written and received many accolades from reviewing publications. It was a starred review in Booklist and had glowing write ups from Publisher’s Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, School Library Journal, The Horn Book, and the New York Times.
Evaluation
One of the things that makes Ocean meets sky so magical is the use of figurative language. Right from hearing the title of the book we have a mental image that is created. You can imagine that place. Where the ocean meets the sky. Where you can’t see the distinction between the two places anymore. They have merged from being two separate locations to one. The Fan brothers use their writing to transport us on the journey that Finn embarks on to honor his grandfather’s memory to find this magical place where the ocean meets the sky. “’Do you know where ocean meets sky?’ Finn asked the fish. ‘It’s high and low, and deep as the sea,’ the fish answered in a voice that made Finn’s boat shake. ‘It’s up and down and very far. I can show you the way.” (Fan & Fan, 2018, p. 15-16). The use of sensory language in this passage gives us as readers the sense that we are on the tiny boat with Finn. The great golden fish’s voice booming and rattling the boat, the waves of the sea bobbing us up and down.
Another striking facet of the book is the illustrations. Each spread of the pages is more beautiful than the last. The illustrations show the froth of the sea in such detail that it looks real. Each of the illustrations of the animals we meet along Finn’s journey perfectly accompany the text. The illustrations create texture and movement to the spread of pages. We feel like we can further experience Finn’s adventure alongside him. As we begin to rise with the boat out of the ocean to the sky, the use of color begins to fade as we meet Finn’s grandfather in the sky. The contrast in the color use shows us that we have crossed over into this magical place with Finn so that he can say goodbye to his grandfather.
Finally, the tone of the book takes us along on with Finn as he experiences his emotions after the loss of his grandfather. We can sense the sadness that Finn is feeling at the beginning of the book. The longing to be with someone even after they have gone. The writing beautifully captures the feeling of loss after losing a loved one. “’It’s a good day for sailing’, his grandfather would have said. Finn remembered Grandpa’s voice. Telling him stories about a place far away where ocean meets sky. His grandfather would have been ninety years old today.” (Fan & Fan, 2018, p. 2-5). However, as Finn prepares for his journey, the tone of the book changes. It moves from longing and loss to adventure and possibility. Finn explores the ocean and experiences the adventure that he had planned with his grandfather. The encounters are magical and full of whimsy. As the journey draws to a close the book’s tone pivots once again to one of reverence. Finn finally says goodbye to his grandfather at the place he always told him about; where the ocean meets sky.
Response
(A) Reading Ocean meets sky, I couldn’t help but think of my own grandfather who has since passed. Like Finn, he shared experiences with me that were important to him. He would play me his old records and dance with me in the kitchen. He helped impart a love of music to me, just like Finn’s grandfather instilled a love of sailing and the sea in him. Somewhere that you could go to and find comfort in, even after they are gone.
(D) This book did a magnificent job sharing the range of emotions that you feel after losing someone. The reverence and honor that is shown to Finn’s grandfather is moving. Family is so important to me. When you lose a family member it can feel so lonely. But, like this book points out, we can have experiences that help to honor their memories and make us think of them. Every time I hear Glenn Miller, I am instantly transported back to my grandfather’s kitchen. Standing on his shoes, dancing to the music. Like Finn finding comfort in the sea, I can find comfort in the music and fondly remember my grandfather and honor his memory.
(G) I loved Ocean meets sky. It made me smile. It made me cry. The emotions that are stirred when reading this book are powerful. That comes with masterful writing and illustrations. Finishing this book makes me eager to read The Night Gardener by them and look for other new titles that will be released in the future.
Conclusion
Ocean meets sky takes us as readers on a magical adventure with Finn that we’re sad to see come to an end. I would highly recommend this book to young readers. It could be especially impactful to someone who has just lost a loved one. As beautifully written as it is illustrated, Ocean meets sky is a wonder.
APA Citation
Fan, T. & Fan, E. (2018). Ocean meets sky. New York: Simon & Schuster.
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