1 BIBLIOGRAPHY

Wiesner, David. 2006. Flotsam. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN 0618194576

2 PLOT SUMMARY

In a series of evocative images, Wiesner depicts a young boy’s discovery of an old camera washed up on the beach. The development of the film reveals many suprising facts about life under the sea , the camera itself, and it’s previous owners.

3 CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Wiesner is a master at combining realistic art with fantastic, sometimes surreal, subjects. As the story opens, a young boy is exploring the beach and examining some crabs when he is caught in the surf. The wave deposits an old box camera and, in a series of photo - like images, the boy discovers an anachronistically modern roll of film inside and takes it to be developed. The film reveals a phantasmagoria of bizarre scenes – sea turtles with sea shell cities on their backs, giant starfish walking amid sperm whales, little green men riding fish. At this point the story is marred, however, by a sort of photographic infinite regress depicting the camera’s previous owners. This sequence is obtrusive and detracts from the wonder of the fantasy scenes. It just brings the boy back to his world. With photos of the previous owners it shatters the illusion created by the fantastic scenes and therefore detracts from the flow of the story. Overall, this story is easily understood, even by preliterate children as it unfolds well without words, since its primary purpose is to present a series of visual images. Children will enjoy this book but may be left wanting more.

4 REVIEW EXCERPT

“Masterfully altering the pace with panel sequences and full-bleed spreads, he fills every inch of the pages with intricate, imaginative watercolor details. New details swim into focus with every rereading of this immensely satisfying excursion. Ages 5-8. (Sept.)”
2006. "Flotsam." Publishers Weekly 253, no. 29: 56-57. Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed September 9, 2009).

5. CONNECTIONS

Wiesner's earlier book, "Tuesday", is superior in every respect. It tells an original and imaginative story in beautifully - rendered pictures. "Tuesday" displays a unity and rhythm sadly lacking in "Flotsam".

Wiesner, David. 1991. Tuesday. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN 0395551137
Wiesner, David. 1999. Sector 7. New York: Clarion Books ISBN 0395746566