WINTER & GEORGE: A PATH ACROSS THE SEA

In Nelson’s series-launching picture book, siblings explore enchanted happenings in the sea and sky.

At night, the White siblings Winter and George sit on a pier, knowing “the sea was magic, filled to its peaks with all kinds of interesting smells, sounds and creatures.” When the moon beckons them with a “shimmering path” extending “across the sea until it stopped right in front of them,” they step into the light, transported to a path filled with sweet-smelling “Moon Blossoms,” flowers that resemble white morning glories. When “the path ended, dropping off into the thick blackness of space,” the kids teeter on the edge but are plucked up by Archie, a playful “baby giant squid,” who tosses them into the sky. There, they float among the stars. The siblings have a marvelous time despite some mishaps, one of which occurs when Archie flails, causing Winter to tumble and inhale stars that taste like “dirt and glitter.” When Mom calls them to return, Archie takes them back to the pier, and the siblings excitedly await their next exploration. This brief but engaging tale explores how opportunities for adventure may arise where you least expect them. Nelson’s descriptions (“stars twinkling like tiny golden fairies”) are evocative and lyrical. The text uses a white font on a dark background, which fits the setting of the story but may deter those who dislike dark-mode reading. Fitzgerald’s illustrations feature atmospheric nighttime backdrops embellished with a shiny moon and stars and richly toned skies and waters. In the final scene Winter and George mull over possible future escapades amid silhouettes of mermaids, sea creatures, and a sunken ship, perhaps indicating their subsequent discoveries.

A spirited sibling story filled with whimsical, imaginative adventures.