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carstensena's review
5.0
What a gorgeous book, about loneliness and the surprise of discovering the rewards of reaching out. I can see using this with writing groups of older kids and teens as a prompt.
Love the illustrations, quiet transportation via boat and bicycle, the animals (especially the cat), the house with its path to the sea. So calming.
Love the illustrations, quiet transportation via boat and bicycle, the animals (especially the cat), the house with its path to the sea. So calming.
cacia's review
3.0
The illustrations are beautiful with a touch of wistfulness. The story had great potential and I looked forward to reading it, but it turned out less stellar than I was expecting. It didn't grab me, and I didn't find a particular beauty in it. It was nice, but I felt like it could have been more. Still, the book, sum of the illustrations and the prose, was enjoyable.
daniellesalwaysreading's review
3.0
Lovely little story with great illustrations, best read one-on-one. This story has lots of room for interpretation so you can discuss with children about what happened during the story to see what they think.
shighley's review
4.0
Interesting premise, and different way that the illustrations were made. There are so many wonderful phrases in the book, such as "loneliness as sharp as fish scales","quill dipped in sadness", or "treasure of a clam-hugged pearl". Some of the pages are a bit sparse, but perhaps that's an indication of the uncorker's life.
lee_hillshire's review
This is sweet. The ending felt a little stilted to me, but not so much that I think less of the story. I just connected a little less than I expected to.
mjfmjfmjf's review
4.0
Gorgeous. And that's even with it being watercolor or at least watercolor adjacent. A bit wordy for a picture book. And it doesn't seem to understand that the oceans are connected and it is unlikely you could easily boat or bike or walk to deliver a message. And that a random message to come to an unspecified seashore on an unspecified day for a party, would ever make sense. But even with that it kind of just works. And there are bits of the art that are especially good, my favorite being the cat and bird dancing near each other.
taliaissmart's review
2.0
What's this guy's deal though? I want to know his origin story. How did he come to be nameless with no paying job and whole bunch of farm animals?
missprint_'s review
5.0
"The Uncorker of Ocean Bottles lived alone on a high spot with only one tree for shade. He always kept his eyes on the waves, watchful for a glint of glass."
The Uncorker of Ocean Bottles has a very important job. It's his responsibility to open any bottles found in the seawater and make sure they are delivered. He wishes that he would receive a letter himself. But he knows that's impossible when he doesn't have a name.
When the Uncorker of Ocean Bottles receives a bottle with an invitation to a party with no recipient, he isn't sure what to do. He asks everyone in town but no one recognizes the invitation.
He hopes he can deliver the invitation in time, but along the way discovers that sometimes parties--and friends--don't need invitations to be wonderful in The Uncorker of Ocean Bottles (2016) by Michelle Cuevas, illustrated by Erin E. Stead.
What could be a melancholy and lonely story is elevated to a more whimsical and satisfying plane with Cuevas' text. While this story begins with a solitary deliverer of bottles, it ends with a small community coming together for a party. The serendipity and charm with which this story builds to that outcome is incredibly pleasing to follow.
This story is ideal for older picture book readers who like their stories to have a bit of mystery. Readers never do learn who, exactly, sent the bottle. And the nature of the Uncorker's job can be a bit dizzying. Perfect for readers who are fans of both The Mysteries of Harris Burdick by Chris Van Allsburg and Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch by Eileen Spinelli, illustrated by Paul Yalowitz.
The Uncorker of Ocean Bottles is a strange, otherworldly picture book. Stead's inimitable art style works well here to bring the Uncorker and his corner of the world to life. Desaturated colors and a light touch in each drawing further underscore that this story is something special.
*An advance copy of this title was acquired from the publisher for review consideration at BEA*
The Uncorker of Ocean Bottles has a very important job. It's his responsibility to open any bottles found in the seawater and make sure they are delivered. He wishes that he would receive a letter himself. But he knows that's impossible when he doesn't have a name.
When the Uncorker of Ocean Bottles receives a bottle with an invitation to a party with no recipient, he isn't sure what to do. He asks everyone in town but no one recognizes the invitation.
He hopes he can deliver the invitation in time, but along the way discovers that sometimes parties--and friends--don't need invitations to be wonderful in The Uncorker of Ocean Bottles (2016) by Michelle Cuevas, illustrated by Erin E. Stead.
What could be a melancholy and lonely story is elevated to a more whimsical and satisfying plane with Cuevas' text. While this story begins with a solitary deliverer of bottles, it ends with a small community coming together for a party. The serendipity and charm with which this story builds to that outcome is incredibly pleasing to follow.
This story is ideal for older picture book readers who like their stories to have a bit of mystery. Readers never do learn who, exactly, sent the bottle. And the nature of the Uncorker's job can be a bit dizzying. Perfect for readers who are fans of both The Mysteries of Harris Burdick by Chris Van Allsburg and Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch by Eileen Spinelli, illustrated by Paul Yalowitz.
The Uncorker of Ocean Bottles is a strange, otherworldly picture book. Stead's inimitable art style works well here to bring the Uncorker and his corner of the world to life. Desaturated colors and a light touch in each drawing further underscore that this story is something special.
*An advance copy of this title was acquired from the publisher for review consideration at BEA*