Ember and the Island of Lost Creatures

by Jason Pamment

From Treasure in the Lake ’s Jason Pamment comes a story of friendship and self-discovery, in a gorgeously illustrated world perfect for fans of Hilda and Over the Garden Wall . Fitting in can be hard, especially when you’re as small as Ember, a tiny boy living alone in a city of giants. But Ember’s luck changes when he meets Lua, a kindly sea turtle, who escorts him across the ocean to a school for little creatures on a wondrous island. ­Here, Ember learns that first days can be hard, too—especially when they involve bizarre, fantastical cave-dwellers, ferocious storms, and classmates that, from the very start, aren’t at all interested in making friends. As he struggles to adapt to this new world, Ember finds himself at the heart of an otherworldly mystery, facing a strange monster from the deep that threatens everything he holds dear. On the surface, Ember’s classmates may seem of little help, but any good student of nature knows appearances can be deceiving—and friendship can come from the most unexpected of places.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Adventure, Childrens, Comics, Animals

288 pages, Paperback

First published June 27, 2023

Reviews

[Amanda (BookLoverAmanda) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Really cute graphic novel!

This has some really cute illustrations and facts about different creatures! Fitting in can be hard for a tiny boy like Ember, living along in the city of giants. One day, he meets a kindly sea turtle, Lua, who escorts him across the ocean to a school for little creatures on this fun, adventurous island.

Ember starts to make friends, even though at first they really aren't interested in being friends. He struggles to adapt but as things would have it, the island may have an otherworldly mystery itself that Ember starts to uncover.....

Overall, I enjoyed this and the themes of friendship and starting anew in a fresh place and just being who you are!

[rachel, x · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.00 ★

a decent mg fantasy graphic novel but it didn't particularly endear itself to me. forgettable 😞

➸ Trigger warnings for bullying.

Blog • Trigger Warning Database • StoryGraph

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars--Gorgeous artwork, memorable and relatable characters, and a creative and sweet storyline combine to make EMBER a gem on the junior graphic novel shelf. I absolutely loved the environments created in this story and the cute, unique creatures that populate them. Both juvenile and adult graphic novel fans who enjoy stories set in fantastic worlds will enjoy this title.

[KuroNeko (Maud) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,5/5
Trop chouette 🥰

[Fabee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Cute, adorable adventure on helping people find one’s place in the world. Kindness and patience prevail.

[Tory · Rating 2 out of 5]

The illustrations were cute but the story was disjointed/fragmented and the pacing was SO off.

[el (celestialbronz) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ember is a tiny human who lives alone because he's the only tiny human that existed, at least in this story. When he wanted to make friends with a normal "giant" human, they chased him instead. when he attempted to escape through waterways, he ended up in a beach and meet a sea turtle named Lua. Lua offered to take Ember to an island where tiny and extraordinary creatures live, and he agreed. and so their trip began.

A heartwarming story about friendship and learning about mimicry along the way. Really love the illustrations that captured the vibes and setting perfectly.

[melhara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute and wholesome comic book! I absolutely loved the artwork, worldbuilding and creatures found in this book.

The story follows Ember, who desperately wants to fit in and go to school but that's really hard to do when you're super small and surrounded by giants. But he encounters a sea turtle one day, Lua, who brings him to a special island with a school for small creatures just like him. But making friends is much harder than he thought.

Overall, an adorable story about friendship. I just wish the characters (the side characters in particular) were more developed. The worldbuilding has a lot of potential too. There are plenty of opportunities for the author to expand on this story and world and develop a spin-off or series from this story.

[Kayla Zabcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

82%

The first thing that struck me was how beautiful the coloring was - like an island at sunset, with warm periwinkles and peaches and a host of other cozy colors. I also particularly enjoyed the inventiveness of how human trash was repurposed into other items for the tiny creatures (i.e. fishing line + fishing bob = a handy little satchel). I delight in miniature things, especially when they're made out of something that had an entirely different purpose originally.

The main storyline itself wasn't necessarily anything new (newcomer struggling to fit into an already established place), but the character designs were very fun and original, breathing fresh air into a common theme.

~Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.~

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. The art and color of this graphic novel are perfect- top notch world building that whisked me away into a magical world of miniature yet fantastic creatures. The story itself felt a bit underdeveloped- I found myself wanting more backstory and more character evolution. I read this with my 5.5yo and she loved it as well. This book will leave you with a warm, happy glow!

[Mrs Heidrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up to 5

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

very cute!!! much friendship

[Sera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super adorable and creative tropical adventure borrowers style. I loved the heart in this graphic novel! It picked up for me towards the second half when all the dots started to connect.

[Eliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ember and the Island of Lost Creatures
Overall Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (4/5) or 7.85/10 overall

Characters - 9

Atmosphere - 8

Writing - 8

Plot - 8

Intrigue - 8

Logic - 7

Enjoyment - 8

[Kimberly Greenwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating 2024: 3.5/5 - Aww such a sweet story of friendship.

[Nathaniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best graphic novels I've ever read. The art is gorgeous and the story is so cute and important.

[Beka · Rating 5 out of 5]

presh. so sweet.
a journey of growing up and making friends.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story, beautiful art.

[Amanda [Novel Addiction] · Rating 4 out of 5]

WITH HIS LITTLE TURTLE SHELL CLOAK, AHHH

[RainyDayReader · Rating 3 out of 5]

This graphic novel is perfect for fans of Lightfall and Amulet. A small boy goes on a journey with a turtle to an island where he hopes to find friendship and a place to belong.

While the art was adorable, the story jumped around a lot and the pacing was off for me. I think middle grade readers will enjoy the adventure aspects and cute creatures.

(An ARC was given to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)

[Zelie Arpin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vraiment une bd ultra mignonne, l’histoire est tout simple mais ultra belle avec pleine de bonne valeur
Une lecture ultra douce

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you netgalley and HarperCollins for an arc!

This was a cute story about a tiny boy who is trying to fit in with the world. He then discovers an island with a school for rare creatures. All of the characters are super cute in design.

The story is pretty basic and straightforward, something to be expected with a middle grade graphic novel that requires world building.

This story would be good for 3rd and 4th graders who aren't ready to read a full chapter book. I can easily see my students enjoying this one. Looking forward to seeing where the series goes from here.

[Sarah S. Smee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miyazaki fans, take note! This absolutely gorgeous adventure story follows Ember, a tiny traveler in a big big world. When he is discovered by a sea turtle, he is taken to an island populated with other small and unusual creatures. This books is full of whimsy, and I was blown away by the illustrations. A great find!

[Isaac Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg I wish I could read this again. 11/10, BEAUTIFUL visuals, BEAUTIFUL storytelling, BEAUTIFULLY BEAUTIFUL.

[pineapple tofu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received my copy through Netgalley for an honest review.
For Ember, being small in a giant world is frightening. When he meets a sea turtle named Lua, she invites him to a mysterious island in the middle of nowhere for an education like no other. There he meets other fantastical creatures, small like him, as he tries to fit in. From cave dwellers to one quiet boulder, Ember is drawn into a strange creature down in the depths of the ocean. Can Ember make friends and still have fun?
This graphic novel was amazing! I really enjoyed the storyline and how Ember grows into his character. Seeing the artwork of the other schoolmates was fascinating to know about. Beautifully drawn and with imagination at heart, the island and its inhabitants drew me in with its bright colors and gorgeous art style. Ember and the Island of Lost Creatures is a fun adventure made for all ages, a graphic novel sure to stay with us for a long time.

[Trish Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was a beautiful graphic novel for both art and story.

Ember is a tiny person living among humans (or giants to her) wishing he could go to school. After falling through a drain pipe Ember meets a large turtle who knows of an island with a school for creatures his size. And so Ember embarkes on an adventure of discovery.

This story was full of original creature designs that felt fresh and original. We have access to so many fantasy worlds in our time, so that is hard to do. The story is fun and engaging and the world and art is just BEAUTIFUL. I can't wait to read more from this author

[Ag · Rating 5 out of 5]

My graphic novels-loving tween liked this book so much! She says she hopes there is going to be part 2 for this, and also we ended up having to order another book by this author, Treasure in the Lake, as now she wants to read anything and everything else by the same author. I guess that says a lot, you not only read and enjoy this book but also request your parents to get you more books. She said Ember is so cute and fun, she cannot remember any other book with a character just like this one.
What I noticed in this book: the drawings. The drawings are beautiful. Cute, whimsical, clear, bright. I absolutely see how this book can be so appealing to kids who love graphic novels, this book has it all. The drawings are nice and there is complimenting text that is not overwhelming, but just the right amount to make sense for the story, and the storyline is exciting and fun.

[S46354595 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn’t sure if I’d like this one at first but it surprised me.

Ember and the Island of Lost Creatures Review

5/5 stars

This will be a spoiler free review. Onto the review!

I was not expecting to love this graphic novel when I first started it. The art style isn't really my favorite kind of art, and the plot isn't my kind of story. But I did end up loving this one anyways, and I think that says a lot about how well the story was told.

In this story we follow this boy who's really tiny. He lives next to a school with a lot of regular sized people and dreams that someday he could live amongst them. But then something happens that leaves him far away from home on a beach, all alone.

A sea turtle takes him in and offers to bring him to a place with lots of other small creatures like himself where he can go to a school and learn just like the big humans. This very quickly turns into a story about trying to fit in, learning to resolve conflicts, and how what makes you different is sometimes your greatest strength.

In the end, I still know that this isn't typically my kind of story. By all means, I shouldn't have loved this. But the conversations and conflicts surrounding the themes sucked me in and I quickly became invested in the characters.

Of all the things I do and don't remember about this graphic novel after the fact, the one thing I remember the most clearly is the characters. The boy and his journal, the bird and his secrets, and the mysterious living rock. Even the side characters feel really distinct in my head after about a month.

I can definitely see how this story is really going to leave an impression on any kids who pick it up. Plus, the themes are so relevant to what kids at about middle school age need. Highly recommend!

Have a nice day/night everyone!

[mad mags · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Full disclosure: I received a free e-ARC for review through Edelweiss.)

-- 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 where necessary --

Ember is a very tiny boy living in a world of giants. Each morning, he makes the long trek to Seawinds Elementary - where he longs to attend school - to try to make friends. But the only time a giant takes note of him, the boy mistakes Ember for an insect and tries to squash him. In his escape, Ember falls into a wastewater pipe and is taken out to the sea. There, he meets Lua, a kind and wise turtle who tells him about a far-away island where magical creatures such as himself are offered refuge - and an education. Lua offers to take him there, like someone did for her so many years ago.

But the Island of Lost Creatures is not the utopia Ember was hoping for. He misses Lua, who he'd come to think of as an adopted mother, and the other kids either bully or ignore him. His only friend is a silent rock that Em nicknames "Boulder." And a mysterious, glowing orb creature keeps stealing his stuff - including his journal, but not before class bully Viggo reads excerpts to the class. Can Ember overcome his homesickness and isolation and make new friends? Turns out, he's not the only displaced person on the island trying to find his way home.

EMBER AND THE ISLAND OF LOST CREATURES is a sweet middle grade graphic novel about being a little bit different and weird; feeling like you don't fit in or belong; and the magic of found family. The artwork is easily the comic's strongest feature - Ember and his fellow creatures are adorable, and some of the ocean panels are simply stunning. Lua, especially, is enchanting. The story is slow the get started, but the ending is well worth it.

[Hana (myjourneywithbooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

I've been on the lookout for some good middle-grade graphic novels for my 9-year-old and this book is exactly the kind of thing I had in mind.

Ember is a tiny boy, living an obscure life in a city of giants, and all he wants is to fit in. Things start to look up for Ember when he meets Lua, a kind sea turtle, who takes him under her wing (or flipper?😉) and brings him across the ocean to a magical island that has a school for little creatures. Ember is both nervous and excited, hoping to finally have a group of his own friends, but he finds it harder than he expected to adapt to this new world. Besides having to deal with unfriendly classmates as well as strange living environments, Ember also has to contend with a mysterious monster who seems to be stalking him. Along the way, he ends up learning a few lessons on friendship, deceptive appearances and taking pride in yourself.

The artwork in this is stunning and goes a long way in bringing the story to life. The story is captivating without being too complicated and imparts a few important lessons while also being filled with a good dose of humour. Ember's interactions with his new classmates (each of them unique in their own way) was one of my most favourite things to read about and brings to mind boarding school stories where the protagonist has to find his way in a new environment. The discussions on nature and mimicry were also fascinating, being incorporated into the story in a way that will catch the attention of young readers.