If you've ever gazed dreamily out to sea, spotted a lone buoy bobbing and blinking, and let your imagination float along with it, you'll find a friend in Bruce Balan's Buoy. It's not such a lonely life for Buoy--after all, Gull is usually perched atop his red light, and Seal lounges at his "feet." These three friends live a rewarding life under the Sky and Stars--enriched by visits from Shark, a raft of Crabs floating on an old egg carton, and even a singing pod of Whales: "Porpoise said [the Whales' song] told of the first day of the Sea. And how the first Whale swam on that first day. And how the first Whale sang. And how the song created itself and everything else as well. There was much more, but it was too ancient for any of them ever to grasp."
Buoys will be buoys--he lives for a "Ship-Coming." When a ship does come, he flashes his light and proudly rings his bell, whispering, "Stay to the west" to shield the ship from danger. Buoy also saves a family adrift during a storm, makes music with his friends, analyzes the Green Flash that occurs just before sunset, plays games with the Clouds, and engages in debates with his Sea-dwelling friends. In gentle, winsome prose, Balan spins a simple story of an ocean life, embedding his quiet philosophy of the interconnectedness of all things, the importance of friendship, the fragile ecology of our planet, and the deep mysticism of being--messages that have inspired some to compare this small book to The Little Prince and Jonathan Livingston Seagull. Raúl Colón, illustrator of Tomás and the Library Lady and A Weave of Words graces Balan's poetic text with his radiant, textured scratchboard illustrations that capture the exuberant, uplifting--can we say buoyant?--spirit of Buoy and his buddies. (All ages) --Karin Snelson
From School Library Journal
Grade 2-3AA window on the cover of this book invites readers inside to view the daily life of a buoy and his friends Gull and Seal. In 16 short chapters, Buoy expresses his love of the sea in all of its moods, his wonder at the beauty of the sky, and his warm feelings for his friends. Throughout, he demonstrates his pride at being the protector of ships and provider of a home for animals. This odd little book has many features that children will find appealing. It is small and attractively designed with bright white pages, wide margins, and handsome illustrations. Though the print is small, the language is simple enough for beginning chapter-book readers. In spite of this, one wonders whether youngsters will understand the lovely, anthropomorphized images. It also seems doubtful that they would read an essentially plotless story whose main character is an inanimate object. However, enthusiastic teachers might read this title aloud as part of a unit on the ocean.AMaggie McEwen, Coffin Elementary School, Brunswick, ME
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
See all Editorial Reviews
