FOUND

Nature Quartet

by Sam Usher

The fourth title in a quartet of imaginative picture books in which a boy and his beloved granddad discover the wonder of the natural world

A boy and his grandad pack up their provisions and head out for the beach. But their day takes a different turn when they go for a swim and find a baby seal caught in a net. The rescue leads them out to sea on a thrilling underwater adventure!

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens, Storytime, Adventure, Family

Hardcover

About the author

Sam Usher’s first book, Can You See Sassoon?, was long-listed for the Kate Greenaway Medal. He is also the author and illustrator of Snow, Rain, and Sun, the companion books to Storm, the first of which was long-listed for the Kate Greenaway Medal. He lives in England.

Reviews

[Vera Godley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another straightforward book by the renown Sam Usher. I have previously reviewed some of his titles and always found them a delight.

In Found we have a generational connectivity story about a boy and his granddad. I personally believe it is highly important that sons and fathers, grandsons and granddads (as well as daughters and mothers, granddaughters and grandmothers) have quality time together. There is such a wealth of living and relationships to be gained.

Usher's illustrations are happy, simple, and awash in bright as well as soft watercolors. Be sure you thoroughly peruse the pages for full enjoyment. The day begins with the boy waking in high anticipation of a day at the beach with granddad. This particular beach has a rock/cliff type beachfront - not broad sandy shore and sand dunes. Granddad is in full dress - long pants, shirt, tie, sweater but he does roll up his trousers.

Sandcastles, ice cream, and a baby seal tangled in netting. (A bit of a lesson in care of sea critters) and then a bold sea journey to take the seal home. The illustrations explode in joyful imaginative fun.

I think Sam Usher has another hit! Other Usher titles in this series: Free, Wild, and Lost.

I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.

[Ioana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cum să nu vrei să te dai jos din pat de dimineață dacă urmează să mergi la plajă? Băiețelul și bunicul de-abia așteaptă să ajungă la mare, acolo unde construiesc cel mai grandios castel de nisip, cercetează ochiuri de apă și mănâncă cea mai bună înghețată. Însă aventura începe cu adevărat când dau peste un pui de focă pe care vor să îl reunească cu familia lui.

https://ciobanuldeazi.home.blog/2024/...

[P.J.’s Top Picks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some of my fondest memories are times spent with my grandparents. I loved this book about a boy’s adventure with his grandpa during their day at the beach. They build the best sand castle, go for a swim, and rescue a baby seal.
Sweet story with great illustrations.

Definitely recommend for a read aloud with littles!

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

PLEASE READ THIS REVIEW ON MY BLOG: https://bookreadingtic.com/2024/07/21... AND PLEASE FOLLOW ME, THANK YOU!

What They Discovered!

They found it! A little boy and his grandfather went to the beach and found a tide pool that they explored. With a lot of hard work, they found they had made a large, beautiful sand castle.

They found a baby seal, that they untangled from a net. Then they found his home, after a lot of difficulty.

Together they found a wonderful world under the ocean that they explored.

Most of all, they found that an older man and a little boy have a lot to give each other.

Between the pages of this picture book, is a sweet story that is full of the joy. Children will adore the big day the grandfather and grandson have, and what they have found together, love.

The illustrations are playful, are done by the author, and will bring lots of giggles. Children ages two-through-seven will enjoy this five-star, beautiful book.

Thank you, Candlewick Books, for providing Tickmenot with a book to review. Opinions are my own.

[Jeimy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up Found by Sam Usher at my local independent bookstore—shoutout to Boostore1Sarasota—without realizing it was the fourth book in a quartet. Now I’ve got the first three on hold at the library because I can’t wait to dive into more of these imaginative adventures!

This book totally captured me from the start. Growing up in the Caribbean, beach outings were a big part of my life, and the day depicted in this book felt like something I could have experienced with my family. When the grandfather and grandchild discover a baby seal tangled in a net, their mundane beach day turns into an incredible underwater adventure.

I loved the story, the illustrations, and the way the final scene brings it all back to the simple joy of a day spent together. It’s a charming read with a perfect mix of excitement and warmth!

[Calista · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is part of Sam's Nature Quartet. Boy and grandpa spend an adventurous day at the beach. They go to the White Cliff's of Dover. They are about to go sailing when they find an otter in a net. They free it and want to take it home. This leads to the fantasy portion of the book. This formula has worked well and it's starting to get old.

The first part is a normal everyday adventure that leads to realms of imagination. We still see the house from all the other books is the same. I like that continuity.

The artwork is Sam Usher just like the other books. His otter is very cute. I love them swimming under the ocean. Very cool. They are ink and watercolor.

I think any kid interested in the beach will enjoy this book.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Boy and grandfather go to the beach. I was all about it until the unrealistic story plot change happens where they go swimming with seals underwater and the grandfather is swimming in his clothes. I thought it was an odd change from realistic, sweet to fantasy and make believe. I wish the whole story had been fantasy OR realistic. The images are beautiful otherwise and a sweet story kids would like.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sam Usher is a fabulous author/illustrator who continually writes picture books that capture the essence and beauty of the natural world and the relationships with others that make our lives rich and meaningful. I loved the seaside setting for this latest book in his series about the discoveries a young boy and his grandfather make.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
I read a digital copy courtesy of the publisher and Edelweiss
A delightful tale of a beach trip with grandfather and grandson. The boy wants to look in tide pools, build a sand castle, have ice cream, go swimming and look for pirate treasure, and they do all that and more!

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is so much to love about this book; The illustrations, the development of the boy and his granddad. My only hang up is that it began as an everyday adventure between a boy and his granddad and then ended up as magical fantasy tale. It took me off guard!

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do love Usher's illustration style. And isn't this a sweet next adventure featuring grandfather and grandson at the beach; the title setting the theme for the day.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

a cozy, sweet grandkid-granddad story

[Kris Reguera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable intergenerational relationship with relatable fantasy and dreamy illustrations.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This whole series just makes me so happy. I love following the boy and his grandad on their adventures!

[Tracie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grandpa and grandkid share imaginative adventures on the beach.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

A boy and his grandpa have a wonderful adventure at the beach, rescuing a seal. The illustrations in this book are gorgeous!

[Chrissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Storytime: Beach, Ocean, Summer