Analysis of FLOTSAM by David Weisner - class requirement

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Weisner, David. 2006. FLOTSAM. New York : Clarion Books. ISBN: 9780618194575 . 

PLOT SUMMARY

In this colorful picture book, a young curious boy goes to the beach to collect objects on the beach. An underwater camera washes ashore that contains a collection of unusual pictures. The boy takes his own picture and then tosses the camera back into the ocean to be discovered by the next person.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This wordless picture book provides an opportunity to practice visual literacy and storytelling skills. The author used beautiful watercolor illustrations to provide a vivid setting for his story. The author's dedication and mention of his experiences at the Jersey Shore on his author page help give the reader insight to his story.  The main character, a young boy, is drawn with such great expression that readers are able to understand the character's actions and feelings. The contrast of muted beach scenes to the bright underwater scenes gave an added element of excitement as the boy reveals his imaginative findings on the camera.

The final action of throwing the camera back into the sea to be enjoyed by another is a reflective end to a powerfully timeless journey. This book would be a good resource to demonstrate inferencing and prediction skills. Readers will enjoy unraveling the mystery of this book.

REVIEW EXCERPTS

KIRKUS REVIEW starred review: "From arguably the most inventive and cerebral visual storyteller in children's literature comes a wordless invitation . . . not to be resisted."

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL starred review: "Filled with inventive details and delightful twists . . . a mind-bending journey of the imagination."

CONNECTIONS

I read this story to my fourth graders and they were amazed at their ability to recognize the story elements of characters, setting, and plot in a book without words. They loved taking turns making inferences from the details in the pictures and predicting the events in the story. The story was a wonderful resource to unlock the imagination of the students while practicing valuable reading skills. The students were engaged and actively involved in this book exploration.