Pearls in the Sand : Protecting Sea Turtles in Oaxaca is one of those picture books that I am not really sure I loved. I know I really enjoyed it, but not sure if I loved it. And I realized this is because I need to read it again. I honestly do not feel you can get the whole picture with one reading. Sure, Beatriz Gutiérrez Hernández has a story about how a group of people help save the turtle population of their area, but there is so much more. There is a story of a child and a beloved adult. There is the history of that man. There is the idea of the turtles. There is a culture we see and feel. And much much more.
I read via an online copy, but will be finding a finished copy in September 2025. This book is a must have for anyone who loves animals, turtles, science, Spanish and even poetic prose. While not romantic, or flowery, the text is a bit fanciful while telling us the straight story. The colors and details of the book are a bit busy, but not overwhelming. Yet you do need to read the images as well the text. Things are colorful, but much is set at night, making the colors “night based” but light is still there. Realism and whimsy come together in this picture book.
And whimsy and realism mesh in Midnight Motorbike by Maureen Shay Tajsar and illustrated by Ishita Jain. Currently available I also read this as an online reader. I am not sure I would purchase a copy for myself, but my local library needs at least one. This book is not just a story of a mother and child, or even the story of how the mothers love helps the child in various ways. This is another poetic and dreamy story that mixes real and imaginary, blending them to show the culture and world of the characters.
The illustrations in this book are also sentimental and whimsical. Both books use the illustrations to set the background and overall mood of things. This time the colors are more dark, but colors pop throughout. They have a more old world, even folktale hints, look to them. Yet, also a modern flavor with the actual motorbike of the title. Imagery used makes a cozy feeling that allows the reader to partake in an almost dreamy world.