Searching for Treasure by Johanna Bell and Emma Long

Title: Searching for Treasure

Author: Johanna Bell and Emma Long

Genre: Fiction

Publisher: Allen and Unwin

Published: 4^th February 2024

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 26

Price: $24.99

Synopsis: A lush, joyful picture book celebrating the wonders of a walk on the beach and the treasures to be found on the high tide line, with a gloriously surprising gatefold finale.

Searching for treasure on the high tide line.
One step, two steps, what can you find?

A walk on the beach becomes a joyous, creative adventure.

What has the sea washed up?
Can you find its hidden treasures?

Find sea urchins and shark’s eggs, ghost crabs and cuttlefish, limpets and barnacles and so much more.

From award-winning creators Johanna Bell and Emma Long, this magnificent read-aloud tale celebrates the joy of discovery.

~*~

Walking along the beach can turn into a treasure hunt, where the wonders of nature can be found if you look in the nooks and crannies, the hidden spaces of rocks and sand dunes, and within rockpools. Walk along the tideline and explore the water, the sand, and the tiny objects that live in and around the tideline in this new book from fabulous creators Johanna Bell and Emma Long, right in time to celebrate summer during the long, lazy days of the summer school holidays in Australia.

The sea washes things up on the shore, from shells to seaweed, and all sorts of things. In this book, follow the steps the character takes, and lift the flaps, and read the hidden writing, curling around all the treasures that can be found under the sea, from sea urchins to shark eggs, ghost crabs and cuttlefish, and limpets and barnacles, and so much more that are part of a thriving world that is hidden beneath the waves, far from the world above. It’s a lot more than a picture book though, because it has gorgeous flaps to lift to explore the world beneath the waves and learn more about the treasures you can find there, building up along the walk until the epic finale that reveals what you can find and what you can create with the bits and pieces that drift up onto the sandy shores. It’s a journey of discovery and joy within the natural environment, in a place where there are no screens.

This book was beautiful, encouraging curiosity and learning, and the ability to switch off and do nothing, to just be in the moment. Because sometimes, this is where the magic is, when we’re just spending time doing something that might not seem fun at the time, but can become something that we make fun. It’s about the journey and creativity that comes with a walk along the beach, and the beauty that can be found in this. Johanna and Emma have created a magical story that is real and magical, where readers can see that the world around them is filled whimsy and wonder. Whilst lift-the-flap picture books are popular for younger readers, I haven’t seen them used for older readers, whom I imagine this book is aimed at, and encourages them to explore the book gently and joyfully. Every word in this books is evocative and educational, allowing people to learn whilst they read something fun that can feed their curiosity. Another fun book that readers of all ages will enjoy, and that children will love exploring.