Driftwood Cove

Joan Buchanan is a children’s writer and storyteller. She is the
author of Taking Care of My Cold!, What If I Were in Charge?, Nothing
Else But Yams for Supper!, and The Nana Rescue.

This visually stunning picture book has a strong sense of place. Katelyn
and Matthew, who are camping on the West Coast with their grandparents,
become lost in the fog during their beach explorations. They are rescued
by a family of squatters who live off the sea and the land.

Sandra Lightburn presents the squatters’ alternative lifestyle in a
nonjudgmental way. She is at her most lyrical when writing about the
father carving driftwood: “I’ve been waiting for this wood to tell
me what it wants to be ... I hold it and study it. Then I hear it softly
whisper to me.”

Ron Lightburn’s pencil-crayon illustrations are often so realistic
that they could be mistaken for photographs. Artful color choice,
thoughtful attention to fine details, and expressive body language are
just a few of the elements that create a rich, natural flow.

The story could have been improved by tighter editing. In a few
instances, the adult dialogue is stilted, with overly lengthy sentences.
There are also some unnecessary descriptive phrases. But these are minor
flaws in an otherwise admirable book. Highly recommended.