Little Blue House Beside the Sea by Jo Ellen Bogart

A wee redhead in a matching knit vest and pom-pommed beanie observes the world around them, taking pleasure in the raging storms and sunny flowers, in this charming read-aloud with an underlying message about global connectivity and environmental awareness. Rhyming couplets tell the tale of a well-loved seaside cottage on a rocky northern shore; whales and puffins are rendered in unique monotype textures against sweeping mixed media landscapes to capture the wild seasons and changing weather. -STARRED REVIEW--PALLAS GATES MCCORQUODALE "Foreword Reviews" 

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. -STARRED REVIEW--Katie Callahan, ¬Montgomery County Public Sch., MD "School Library Journal" 

In a world where travel has now become difficult, transport your child to the ocean with the critically acclaimed creative team who, individually, are behind several best-selling titles. Although it is a simple story that follows a little girl across the shore and through a storm, the book carries a deeper meaning.

The little blue house could be overlooking any ocean, and the narrator could be any child anywhere, gazing out over the waters, thinking about all the places s/he could go and imagining other little blue houses on other shores, with other children gazing back. Now more than ever, this message of unity is so important. We should be teaching our children to make connections with those from different backgrounds as at the end of the day, we all share the great, wide, wonderful world.

At the back of the book, in 'A Note from Jo Ellen', this message is conveyed beautifully through a personal childhood anecdote and a plea that we look after the oceans that serve us so well.

Overall, I can envision the lyrical Little Blue House Beside the Sea next to the likes of The Storm Whale by Benji Davies and for those curious to what lives in the sea, The Big Book of the Blue by Yuval Zommer. --Ellie Egleton "Armadillo Magazine" 

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.--Carolyn Phelan "Booklist" 

A solitary child rejoices in the special beauty of a seaside home.

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." A reassuringly fresh and simple take on nature in a complex world.-- "Kirkus Reviews"