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BLUE FLOATS AWAY by Travis Jonker Kirkus Star

BLUE FLOATS AWAY

by Travis Jonker ; illustrated by Grant Snider

Pub Date: March 23rd, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-4197-4423-5
Publisher: Abrams

The water cycle gets the anthropomorphic treatment.

When Little Blue breaks off from his parents—a single iceberg with two heads—he’s swept away by the surrounding waves. Unsure if he’ll ever return, Blue drifts farther and farther away, witnessing snow and eventually finding companionship: fish, the moon, and boats, which help him learn about winds and currents. But Blue discovers he’s changing. As the sky warms, he grows ever smaller until he melts into the surrounding water; unable to help him, his friends leave. Then Blue evaporates, condenses, and becomes a cloud. In the sky, he meets new friends who help orient him toward home; on the way, Blue changes again, bringing about a happy reunion. This tale is told in easily comprehensible terms for the youngest readers and listeners. Blue is an accessible, sweet character who brings emotional depth to an important science concept. Dazzling illustrations, created with cut paper, colored pencil, and white ink, will hold kids’ rapt attention while they hear, wide-eyed, about Blue’s destiny. Illustrations aptly feature shades of vivid blues, but eye-popping pinks, reds, oranges, yellows, and purples also emblazon these pages. Blue and his parents are expressive even though their faces are depicted merely with light-blue dots. An author’s note explains the water cycle and climate change, and it offers tips to protect the planet. (This book was reviewed digitally with 11-by-17-inch double-page spreads viewed at 48.7% of actual size.)

A splendid springboard to both STEM and art activities.

(Picture book. 3-6)