The Abandoned Lighthouse written by Albert Lamb, illustrated by David McPhail. Roaring Brook Press, 2011. ISBN 978-1-59643-525-4
Summary: After catching his fill of fish to eat, a bear falls asleep in a rowboat and wakes up the next morning at an abandoned lighthouse. A boy and his dog have a similar experience and arrive at the same lighthouse the following day. The three become fast friends and enjoy all that the rocky outcrop and the lighthouse have to offer.
That night, while they sleep, a storm gathers and the winds begin to howl. Luckily, the dog wakes up in time to see a giant ship bearing down on the lighthouse. Will the boy and his two animal friends be able to find a way to warn the ship away from the rocky shore?
Critical Evaluation: Lamb's simple text is appropriate for reading aloud to children at the younger end of the recommended age range, as well as for early readers who are building confidence in their skills and are looking for exciting material to enjoy. There is enough text on each page to give the appearance of a beginning reader book, while the sizeable illustrations provide clues to the narrative, and allow new readers a much-needed rest before turning to the next page. The page turns may happen at a faster pace towards the end of the story, as readers hurry to find out what happens next.
McPhail's illustrations capture the seaside landscape in all it's glory: the jewel tones of sunny days, and the wind and waves of stormy nights. His heavy use of cross-hatching not only provides texture and shading, but also adds to the mood of the artwork, particularly during the nighttime images.
There is a dreamy quality to both the narrative and the illustrations that inspires further thinking. Children will wonder about the boat, and how it appears, disappears, and then reappears again. The friendship between the bear and the boy is presented in such a matter of fact manner, that the possibility of bonds like this will seem more realistic. And the way the tale is resolved allows the reader to consider whether or not such an adventure could happen again to the boy and the bear, or even if something similar might happen in their own lives.
Awards: ---
Why Included? This is a lovely adventure story for children who enjoy imaginative possibility. There is just enough fact to keep the tale grounded in reality, and just enough creativity to encourage wonder.