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Teacup Hardcover – Picture Book, October 4, 2016
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School Library Journal [STARRED REVIEW!]
“[A] moving, allegorical tale… inspiring reflection and empathy”
Kirkus Reviews [STARRED REVIEW!]
“A potent discussion starter… Enchanting, beautiful, and full of hope. “
Booklist [STARRED REVIEW!]
“A lyrical tale of leaving home and finding a new one…Thought-provoking and arrestingly beautiful.”
A boy must leave his home and find another. He brings with him a teacup full of earth from the place where he grew up, and sets off to sea. Some days, the journey is peaceful, and the skies are cloudless and bright. Some days, storms threaten to overturn his boat. And some days, the smallest amount of hope grows into something glorious. At last, the boy finds land, but it doesn't feel complete . . . until another traveler joins him, bearing the seed to build a new home.
With lyrical text and gorgeous artwork, this poignant picture book is perfect for discussing all of life’s toughest challenges—a big move, a divorce, long-distance separation, or even the current refugee crisis—in a way that’s reassuring and inspiring for children and adults alike.
- Reading age4 - 8 years
- Print length40 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Grade levelPreschool - 3
- Lexile measureAD590L
- Dimensions10.19 x 0.39 x 11.31 inches
- PublisherDial Books
- Publication dateOctober 4, 2016
- ISBN-100735227772
- ISBN-13978-0735227774
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Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
Review
* "While the journey and its inherent uncertainty is naturally a fitting metaphor for growing up, connections to actual sea travel and subtle hints about turmoil in the boy’s homeland suggest connections to immigration stories as well...This pleasantly minimalist and contemplative story is quietly thought-provoking and arrestingly beautiful."—Booklist, starred review
* "A beautifully crafted story that’s perfect for sharing aloud and discussing with a small group."—School Library Journal, starred review
"Ottley’s ravishing paintings of ocean and sky distinguish this story."—Publishers Weekly
About the Author
Matt Ottley is an illustrator and musician living in New South Wales, Australia, with his partner in a peaceful little cottage. He was born in Papua New Guinea, and loves woodworking, tea, and wildlife.
Product details
- Publisher : Dial Books (October 4, 2016)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 40 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0735227772
- ISBN-13 : 978-0735227774
- Reading age : 4 - 8 years
- Lexile measure : AD590L
- Grade level : Preschool - 3
- Item Weight : 1 pounds
- Dimensions : 10.19 x 0.39 x 11.31 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #612,642 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1,287 in Children's Fiction on Social Situations
- #1,744 in Children's New Experiences Books
- #3,355 in Children's Self-Esteem Books
- Customer Reviews:
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the illustrations in the book beautiful and nice. They also appreciate the story quality, describing it as wonderful and abstract, prompting great conversations about refugees.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers like the illustrations. They say the pictures are nice, a little abstract, and perfect.
"So beautiful! I'm pretty sure it's the most beautiful book we have and it gets ten stars just for that. The story is really good too...." Read more
"It's a beautiful story with beautiful illustrations. My kindergartners love this book, but I love the message even more...." Read more
"Stunningly beautiful artwork. Unfortunately, the story just isn't one that draws you in and tempts you to read it over and over again...." Read more
"...The illustrations are luminous and take full advantage of the vast page space, and the spare text is perfect in conveying emotion in an..." Read more
Customers enjoy the story and illustrations. They say it's a great abstract growing up story about refugees, not so much a refugee story itself.
"...So its a great abstract growing up story, not so much a refugee story. Love it!" Read more
"It's a beautiful story with beautiful illustrations. My kindergartners love this book, but I love the message even more...." Read more
"Wonderful story and Devine illustration" Read more
"Beautifully written and illustrated. The story prompted a great conversation with my 6 year old about refugees. Highly recommended!" Read more
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2017So beautiful! I'm pretty sure it's the most beautiful book we have and it gets ten stars just for that. The story is really good too. A little abstract which is perfect. Either from reviews or descriptions I expected it to be something about refugees and settling into a new society, not landing on an island alone until a girl shows up. So its a great abstract growing up story, not so much a refugee story. Love it!
- Reviewed in the United States on April 18, 2017It's a beautiful story with beautiful illustrations. My kindergartners love this book, but I love the message even more. I purchased this book because I have children who are immigrants and I felt that they could relate on some level but I also found that if anyone has made a big move in their lives, then they can relate to this book as well. Beautiful!
- Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2018Stunningly beautiful artwork. Unfortunately, the story just isn't one that draws you in and tempts you to read it over and over again. This is one we probably should have borrowed from the library instead of adding it to our collection. I have a soft spot for wordless books because they help young kids discover narrative structure. I'd love to see wordless books from this illustrator.
- Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2017I absolutely loved this book, as did my parents (in their 60s/70s). The illustrations are luminous and take full advantage of the vast page space, and the spare text is perfect in conveying emotion in an unsentimental and frank manner. This is a book for all ages and all people.
- Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2017Really great book. I like that it doesn't explain why the boy had to leave, which gives the parent the ability to give age-appropriate explanations. The pictures are amazingly beautiful. I would definitely recommend this book to others.
- Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2019Wonderful story and Devine illustration
- Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2017Beautifully written and illustrated. The story prompted a great conversation with my 6 year old about refugees. Highly recommended!
- Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2016Beautiful illustrations and story is good. Keeper!!
Top reviews from other countries
- ElenaReviewed in Canada on May 12, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely illustrations
It's a lyrical and poetic book about a journey to another place. Will resonate with adults as well. Beautiful illustrations too.
- Ala KanaplianikavaReviewed in the United Kingdom on June 24, 2017
3.0 out of 5 stars Three Stars
there are hardly any text....just few lines on each page.
good illustration.
- 瀧島菜央Reviewed in Japan on November 24, 2019
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful
Artwork is remarkable and it was definitely worth waiting for two weeks!!!!!!!!!! I'd wait it forever if necessary❤️
- Elizabeth ReillyReviewed in Canada on December 10, 2016
5.0 out of 5 stars An exceptionally moving book that could be used with any ...
An exceptionally moving book that could be used with any age group. It is a book of resilience, hope and growth, gently told. The watercolour illustrations carried the boy and the reader from darkness to light.