From Treasure in the Lake‘s Jason Pamment comes a graphic novel of friendship and self-discovery in a gorgeously illustrated world, perfect for fans of Amulet and Lightfall.
Fitting in can be hard, especially when you’re as small as Ember. He’s hoping his luck changes when Lua, a kindly sea turtle, escorts him across the ocean to a school for little creatures on a wondrous island. There, Ember learns that first days can also be hard – especially when they involve fantastical cave-dwellers, ferocious storms and classmates that aren’t interested in making friends.
As he struggles to adapt to his school, Ember finds himself at the heart of an otherworldly mystery, facing a strange monster from the deep. And though Ember’s classmates may seem of little help, any good student knows appearances can be deceiving – and friendship can come from the most unexpected of places.
Since he was very young, Jason Pamment has loved to dream up stories of adventure about vibrant worlds filled with strange and wonderful characters. He’s a little taller now, and outside of creating comics, Pamment designs award-winning animated films, children’s television shows, music videos, commercials, and video games.
BR Kids readers loved Treasure in the Lake, Pamment’s debut graphic novel that tells an important coming-of-age story about friendship and growth. Ember and the Island of Lost Creatures is just as visually stunning and immersive, and it’s clear Pamment has hit his stride with this perfectly pitched plotline for young readers.
I’m a huge fan of graphic novels – they’re engaging, accessible and immersive in a way that straight prose just can’t replicate. Ember and the Island of Lost Creatures is a stunning example; each page is truly a work of art, rendered with the detail and care of a seriously talented illustrator.
I would read this book for the illustrations alone, but Pamment does not rest on his laurels. We’re introduced to a fantastic cast of characters, each with their own depth and backstory. I fell instantly in love with guiding light Lua, and I can see young readers relating strongly to tentative yet courageous protagonist Ember.
Pamment also conveys a wonderful sense of curiosity for the natural world – we learn about various plants and creatures along with Ember and his classmates as they explore the Island. While the genre and premise are very different, I found the educational elements delightfully reminiscent of The Magic School Bus.
Graphic novels are always a great way to get reluctant readers engaged in reading. With its spectacular world-building, instantly likable characters, action-driven plot and gorgeous illustrations, Ember and the Island of Lost Creatures will render even the most reading-averse youngsters spellbound.
Covering universal themes of finding friendship and belonging through self-acceptance, this is a truly special and memorable adventure for readers aged 8+. I imagine a few dog-eared copies will be taking pride of place in the moving boxes in 10 years’ time.
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