Ember and the Island of Lost Creatures (Jason Pamment, A&U Children’s)

Jason Pamment follows up his stellar debut graphic novel, Treasure in the Lake, with the stunningly unique Ember and the Island of Lost Creatures. Tiny Ember is the size of an insect. All alone in the world, he dreams of going to school and making friends. He meets a kind sea turtle who offers to take him to a special island, a school for little creatures like him. Ember soon discovers that although he loves learning about the strange flora and fauna of his new home, being the new kid is harder than he thought. When strange things start occurring, however, it is Ember’s capacity for empathy and clever resourcefulness that save the day. Young readers will easily relate to Ember’s attempts to fit in at a new school as he navigates a new environment, new friendships, and classroom bullies. Pamment’s professional background as an animator is wholly apparent; every panel is a richly imagined work of art, and the island itself feels like a character in its own right. Ember’s class of tiny creatures includes the real and fantastical alike—from a blue-tongued lizard, a dung beetle and a salamander to a very friendly boulder—each with their own distinct personality. Whimsical and poignant, Ember and the Island of Lost Creatures will delight readers young and old.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Hannah Gardiner has been a bookseller since the pre-Titlepage era. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

Category: Reviews