Caspian lives in a lighthouse by the sea. Every day he casts his light out over the waves in search of a friend, but nobody comes. One day he finds a bottle. Inside is a piece of paper with a word written on it. Caspian finds his boat, races out to sea and goes in search of the message writer. What – or who – he finds at the other end comes as a big surprise. A big, polar bear-shaped suprise.
A beautiful tale that would make a great companion read for Lost And Found.
This gentle story won my instant affection. It is about a lonely boy who puts his trust in a message and reaches out to find out who is there. It makes a beautiful metaphor for friendships, especially those early childhood friendships forged in the playground which could begin with a phrase as simple as ‘will you play with me?’ Sometimes it can be hard to trust a new person, and when we set out we have no idea what will come of it, but this story reminds us that beautiful things may be at the other end.
It also brings to live the adventures which can be had on a beach or by the sea.
The illustrations are stunning, especially in the numerous ways they find to show the sea. From a pale blue wash with white foam to an inky flat surface with fish hidden below, the pictures remind us that there is more than one way to see a thing. I love the use of texture and the way we can almost see the water moving as the boy plays in it.
I also love the design – the use of white space and the way the page layout changes as the polar bear leaps forward into Caspian’s life.
A gentle and memorable book which reminds us that friendship is an adventure and that trust is a leap of faith worth taking.
Thanks to Chronicle Books for my gifted copy of Caspian Finds A Friend. Opinions my own.
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