Your Island

Your Places

by Jon Klassen

From the incomparable Jon Klassen, one in a trio of companion board books for the youngest of children

This is your sun.
It is coming up for you.

This is your palm tree.
It can go over by the sun.

With a minimal tableau of familiar objects and a gentle rhythm suited for reading aloud, an island and all its items—a tent, a fire, a boat, a bird—are assembled, ending with bedtime as the sun goes down. This is an island for a young child to have whenever they want to go there. One in a trio of board books focusing on safe spaces, comfort, and imagination, Your Island signals both a departure for Jon Klassen and a story whose peculiar touches of whimsy stamp the book as iconically his.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Juvenile, Nature

24 pages, Board Book

Published February 4, 2025

About the author

Jon Klassen received the 2010 Canadian Governor General’s Award for his illustrations in Caroline Stutson’s Cat's Night Out. He also created illustrations for the popular series The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place and served as an illustrator on the animated feature film Coraline (2009). I Want My Hat Back is the first book he has both written and illustrated. Originally from Niagara Falls, Canada, he lives in Los Angeles.

Reviews

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Less practical but more imaginative than the farm, more thrilling than the forest. The magical fire is whimsical and makes the reader feel safe once the sun goes down.

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful! Feels like the board book cousin of Where the Wild Things Are.

[Guilherme Semionato · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cN8nX...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-Fek...

[Stephanie Tournas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jon Klassen creates a safe, cozy island for a child in this imaginative board book. Speaking directly to the reader, he sets the stage by introducing the elements for us. Beginning with a sun – “…your sun” – the book introduces each part and explains where it goes. A sun, a palm tree, plants, a tent, a magic fire, and a bird (who leaves but always returns) all have Klassen’s signature oval eyes, which get sleepy as the light fades until all are asleep. The ink and graphite artwork, familiar to readers who have enjoyed his Shapes trilogy or any of his other picture books, renders the the elements simply and elegantly. Adult caregivers can point out each image, and the child will instinctively understand that taken together, they create a home for them – their island.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Your Island is Jon Klassen's simplicity, humor, and style at it's best. It reaches through the pages to bring kids into the story, and ask them to participate in both humor and storytelling. Each page builds on the last, while telling a story of simple parts that add up to a hilarious and geniunely poignant ending (or should I say, continuation?). The plot is linear, and each page adds another element to "Your Island", such as a palm tree, plants, and a tent. I know I will be reading and recommending this story many times over. Thank you to the publishers, Klassen, and Edelweiss for the arc copy and the chance to offer my review. (:

[V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Your Island, Your Forest, and Your Farm are all adorable bedtime board books. The way the narrator addresses the reader and personalizes every item in the story evokes a comforting intimacy where the reader (listener) feels a connection to the setting and sees that it is indeed time to go to sleep. Why everything has eyes, I'm not totally sure, and that's not totally to my personal taste, but it does help show that everyone is sleeping and it is Klassen's beloved to style.

This Klassen trio is endearing and I would absolutely select these for part of a toddler's bedtime routine if I were tucking someone in!

[Charlotte Glaze · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the new Board Books from Jon Klassen. His others are "Your Farm" and "Your Forest". This is an object naming book, but with Jon Klassen's signature style. All the objects have eyes, which is funny.

My son is an early reader, and he was the one who read this book to me. He enjoyed it, and we both giggled over the illustrations.

I think Jon Klassen has created a new series perfect for little readers who like to know the names of objects, but also he has written it in such a way as to create the beginnings of a world that can fuel imagination.

[Stacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What things do you need for an island? First, the sun comes up over your island. You need a palm tree for your island, next to the sun. Then your island will need some plants.

You’ll need somewhere to stay on your island, so you can put your tent under the palm tree. You’ll need a fire to keep warm. And, when you are on an island, of course, you need a boat. Once your island is done and the sun goes down, everyone can close their eyes and sleep. As you sleep, dreams of what you’ll do on the island tomorrow will fill your head.

[Ellon · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars (I liked it)

Board books aren't my speciality (Elementary School Librarian) but decided to read the Your Places series because it's Klassen. All the books in the series were cute. They each start with the sun coming up. Then different aspects of the place are added (in this one, it includes a tent and a fire that never goes out). Finally, the sun goes down and the reader is invited to close their eyes along with the "characters."

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple sentences. Introduces children to individual items on one page and has them join the rest of the items on the other page. Teaches kids what a sun, tree, plants, tent, water, etc. are and how that looks like in a scene or an environment. Also teaches kids that those things go to bed as the night begins. Opportunities for engagement in asking kids about colors, sounds, touch, locations/placement, to identify the correct item, and to remember the names for previous items.

[Cara Byrne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those board books that I keep revisiting and appreciating a little more each time. Maybe it's because I'm a sucker for Klassen's quirky illustrations and the intense eyes of each of the characters (whether palm tree, boat, or bird) he includes. Or maybe because there is a subtle genius to the slow, melodic rhythm of this sleepy board book.

[Rich Farrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute board book in a series of three that employs a meditative visualization technique of having the reader/listener envision an island thing by thing before going to sleep. Klassen is a master at the trilogy pattern, and these are just that. I'm not sure if these are something my four year old would've liked when he was younger, but I like the idea nonetheless.

[Andrés · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm sincerely curious if there's any psychological research that supports a purpose for this series? Of course, we can enjoy art just for its own sake, but it seems to me Klassen is doing the imagining for kids here, and what am I supposed to do with my sun, plant, tent, fire, bird, and island? I never asked for them, and who are you to say my island is "done?"

[Anastasia Tuckness · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continuing the theme of genius picture book writers coming to board books--this set of 3 books manages to be comforting and surreal all at once. Just look at the cover. One expects animals to be staring at you, and perhaps the sun as well, but your tent? Hmm. Fascinating. Don't miss the last page of each one.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this whole series. This is a a basic story that is calming and almost melodic in its tone. But Klassen takes this basic story and just makes it magical somehow?

I don't mind reading these over and over again.

[Janet · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have now read all three titles in Klassen’s board book series on places. They just don’t appeal to me. I will keep an open mind and hope to talk with a child who can tell me what they like or dislike about these titles.

[Kersten · Rating 3 out of 5]

aesthetically pleasing, story is only ok. The book is lovely, but for a board book feels a bit flimsy, as a mom
of five kids who has replaced many well loved board books I would be shocked if this one lasted more than a couple months.

[Alex Sarll]

This is a book intended to help very small children sleep. I am a big hairy man who regularly reads ghost stories before bed and read this in a gallery bookshop during a very sunny afternoon. So why did I find it so unnerving?

[Shanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

How very sweet this book is! Another goodnight book from Jon Klassen that explores a place in the world. I think this might be my favorite of the “your places” series.

Mia’s 2nd year of books: Day 343

[Hailey Vittrup · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I received this book as a DRC. Your Island is a good book. It is short and not content-heavy, and it can be ready by young children. I would definitely recommend this book.

[Jeimy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple, somewhat whimsical, and perfect for reading aloud. Klassen takes the reader to a Spartan island and places a variety of objects to dot its landscape.

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming, fun, and just a little bit creepy when you think about it. Perfect for kids.

[Holly Wagner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute preschool or bedtime story for the littlest readers.

[Kirsti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another in a new series of board books by Jon Klassen. Delightful and calming.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a big fan of the magic fire🔥

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Jon Klassen. I love how he adds one element at a time in these little board books, and then all the characters give the magic fire the side eye. 😂 So cute!

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this little formulaic series from Jon Klassen. They are so cozy and make for good baby gifts.

[The Bookshop Mons · Rating 4 out of 5]

An original perspective on safe spaces and illustration for children.

J.

[Paulette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was cute & quick!

[Jenae · Rating 4 out of 5]

The eyes weird me out a bit but it makes for a great bedtime story – reads a bit like a meditation