Flotsam

Bibliographic Information: Wiesner, D. (2006). Flotsam. New York, NY: Clarion Books.

Brief Annotation: This is a wordless picture book that shows the sequences a boy takes after he finds a camera that washed up on the beach one day. In the camera is a roll of film that he brings to be developed. Upon seeing the photographs he cannot believe his eyes as the photographs reveal the lives of the animals under the sea as well as the others who have found the camera before him.

Genre: Wordless Picture book, Fiction

Grade Level: Appropriate for all grades

Readers who will like this: People who enjoy making up their own stories; People who like the ocean; People who have wild imaginations

Response/Rating:4; while this book had no words, the illustrations were so realistic and detailed that it was easy to imagine your own words and feelings to the book. After reading the book I find myself wanting to read it backwards to see if an alternative story is told.

One question you would ask before a read aloud: What do you think it would be like to find a time capsule of some sort? Would you open it? What would you add to it?