Jessie's Island

July 1, 2015

K-Gr 2-Jessie receives a letter from her cousin, Thomas, beginning "You must be awfully bored living on an island in the middle of nowhere..." He goes on to list the various activities available to him in the city where he lives such as: sports, a zoo, movies, trips to the mall or planetarium, among others destinations. Jessie and her mother are clearly dismayed by Thomas's assumption and decide to invite him for a visit. Jessie responds to her cousin with an invitation detailing the wonders that her island has to offer: whales, seals, birds, lush woodlands, and beaches teeming with wildlife. Beautiful watercolor illustrations portray each attraction that she mentions. The realistic depiction of life on the island off the west coast conveys the wonder and beauty of nature. VERDICT Although fashion trends have changed since the original 1992 release, nature never goes out of style, making this an appropriate and lovely addition.-Laura Hunter, Mount Laurel Library, NJ

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