THE LOST BOARD

A fourth-generation surfer girl loses a family heirloom, but the board carries onward to further watery adventures.

In Lana’s mother’s surf shop hangs “a surfboard, aged by weather, use, and love.” Lana’s great-grandmother first found the board, cleaned it up, and taught herself to surf. “Then she taught her daughter, who taught her daughter, who taught Lana.” Tempted by “a big swell,” Lana can’t resist grabbing the board to catch the perfect wave. A crash returns her to shore but sends the board out to sea. When she anxiously confesses to her grandmother, Lana expects anger but receives loving understanding about letting go. The board, meanwhile, floats through the sea, having new experiences, until it lands on shore. It’s discovered by a young girl, who uses it to teach herself to surf. Years later, Lana recognizes the familiar board, 5,000 miles away. Feagan creates a poignantly interconnected, multigenerational narrative. She uses faded blues, greens, and golds to denote memories and brightly saturated colors to highlight the present. Details of the board’s journey follow the show-don’t-tell motto, with illustrations capturing entertaining encounters with a whale, a giant squid, nesting seagulls, and more. In its newest incarnation, the board finally sprouts an ankle tether to prevent it from moving on—again. Landscapes suggest an island setting, populated by characters depicted in various shades of brown.

A vivid, loving homage to family, embodied in an activity beloved by all.