Little Blue House Beside the Sea

Starred review from June 1, 2020

PreS-1-Who wouldn't want to live in a cozy house beside the sea? Through singsong rhyme and vivid imagery that invoke the senses, Bogart and Lemniscates have created a captivating tale of a young girl and the natural beauty that exists just outside of her home by the sea. She watches the boats go sailing by and sees fishermen and puffins keep busy trying to catch fish. Delightful images of humpback whales at play are followed by the light of the moon and the lighthouse towers being reflected in the big blue sea. Lemniscates brings readers into the young girl's world with vibrant colors, subtle nods to finger painting, and earthy tones that will beguile readers of all ages. VERDICT A fantastic addition to any children's library.-Katie Callahan, Montgomery County Public Sch., MD

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 15, 2020
A solitary child rejoices in the special beauty of a seaside home. Nattily dressed in green sweater, stocking cap, and orange leggings, the little redhead walks home from school over the cliff tops to a tiny blue house, first waving goodbye to school friends, one white, like the protagonist, and one a child of color. Along the way, the child admires the bees in the flowers, the puffins "with drooping fishes in their bills," and humpback whales breaching and observes the beauty of the ocean in all its moods. When a storm blows up, the child runs to the safe little cottage "that keeps me from the storm winds' might." Simple rhyming couplets and colorful, textured collages make this book evocative and charming, even for children who may not be familiar with the ocean. This young child seems to live independently in the titular house; while improbable, this is a fantasy that many readers will find appealing. In a final note, the author describes her connection with Newfoundland, where the little blue house of the title is located, and her fascination with the idea that the endless ocean could connect friends "who love the ocean as I do, and want to keep it safe, alive, and beautiful." Not the most original offering but a reassuringly fresh and simple take on nature in a complex world. (Picture book. 6-8)

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May 15, 2020
Preschool-G A little girl tells of walking home to her little blue house beside the sea. Every day, she ambles along the cliff path, looking out at the boats and observing nature all around her: the tall grasses waving, the puffins waddling on the hills, and the whales playing in the ocean. At night, the moon rises, creating a glistening path on the water, and sometimes the lighthouse flashes its warning to ships. When a storm is brewing, the girl hurries to shelter in her tiny house. As the simply written, rhyming text says, There is no place so dear to me / as that little blue house beside the sea. In a note, Bogart recalls enjoying the Gulf of Mexico as a child and, as an adult, looking out over the North Atlantic from Newfoundland, the book's setting. Using monotype, watercolor, acrylic, and digital elements, the mixed-media collage artwork offers scenes with strong lines, distinctive shapes, and some striking color combinations. An effective portrayal of a child's connection to both her home and the sea.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)