Flotsam by David Wiesner

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Wiesner, David. 2006. Flotsam. Ill. by Doug Cushman. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN 0618194576

PLOT SUMMARY

A boy explores and observes found beach items washed ashore, called flotsam, with the help of a magnifying glass. While out scouring for more flotsam, another found item washes ashore. It is an underwater camera. Inside he finds and develops a roll of film. Pictures of underwater creatures and aliens in a fantasy life become part of his newly found items. Other pictures of children holding pictures of still other children unfold under his magnifying glass then microscope. Discovering that this is a magical camera, the boy takes his picture holding the most recent of the children photos and returns it to the sea to continue its voyage.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The title page helps to define flotsam by providing the reader with a wide array of samples. Line, shape, color and texture are all visible in this surreal picture book. Full and double page spreads bring the story to life. The size and scale of objects, such as the crab in the first and third pages, show how detailed seemingly insignificant objects can really be. The colors are bright and vibrant and attention to detail is evident in many pictures. The sequencing of many events is detailed in small bordered images. Watercolor is the painterly technique used, appropriate for the setting. The use of black and white to indicate age in some photos also guides the reader back in time.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Starred Review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “This wordless book's vivid watercolor paintings have a crisp realism that anchors the elements of fantasy.”

Reivew in BOOKLIST: “As in his Caldecott Medal Book Tuesday 0 (1991), Wiesner offers another exceptional, wordless picture book that finds wild magic in quiet, everyday settings.”

Starred Review in PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: “Masterfully altering the pace with panel sequences and full-bleed spreads, he fills every inch of the pages with intricate, imaginative watercolor details. New details swim into focus with every rereading of this immensely satisfying excursion.”

AWARDS

Caldecott Medal 2007
American Library Association Notable Books for Children 2007

CONNECTIONS

Related Books
Other wordless and nearly wordless picture books
Wiesner,David. Tuesday. ISBN 0758700806
Lehman, Barbara. The Red Book. ISBN 0618428585

More books on Flotsam
Burns, Loree Griffin. Tracking Trash: Flotsam, Jetsam, and the Science of Ocean Motion. ISBN 0618581316
Petaja. 1986. Stardrift and other Fantastic Flotsam. ISBN 087505258

Activitites

*Invite students to share their own experiences with flotsam or other found items.
*Use this book as an introduction to a science unit. Work with the science teachers to create an interactive display of small every day items and magnifying devices.
*Pair this book with an introduction to the school's recycling or creative writing program.