Just One Wave: A Picture Book

by Travis Jonker

A hilarious celebration of summertime, curiosity, and outdoor play in this companion to Just One Flake, from critically acclaimed author-illustrator and elementary school librarian Travis Jonker

It’s the perfect day to go to the beach. The sun is shining, the sand is warm, and the water is . . . completely still?

Liam is determined to catch a wave, no matter what. He tries waiting patiently . . . no luck. He asks the seagulls for help . . . they are no help. He even tries tempting a wave with his beautiful sandcastle, but the water refuses to budge.

Nothing seems to work. Until, in a sudden moment of inspiration, Liam realizes if he can’t find a wave, he’ll just have to make one himself.

From librarian and picture-book creator Travis Jonker comes this companion to the beloved Just One Flake—another hilarious and satisfying story all about the magic and creativity of outdoor play.

Genres: Picture Books, Summer, Humor, Childrens, Fiction, Family, Storytime

52 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 15, 2025

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just One Wave by Travis Jonker is chock full of sun, sand, and fun. It’s a perfect summer read!

Liam is at the beach with his family. He’s determined to catch some waves. Just one wave! Can he find one or create one in the calm, no wave waters though?

These bright, sandy pages are the perfect combination of sweet and silly. The art feels so accessible too. The thick lines and BIG in-your-face images look like crayon art. Which I adore! My favorite part of back to school shopping is picking up a fresh box of crayons to create with.

Come see if Liam finds his wave. Maybe you can draw him one with your new crayons. :)

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

EARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
This companion to Just One Flake is a great read aloud- bold illustrations and sparse text tell a story of a boy’s visit to the beach. This author librarian knows exactly what will hook an audience of students (and leave them with something to talk about), and I hope a few more stories are planned for this format.

[Ann Haefele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Creative play, while at the beach for a day, is described as Liam waits for a wave on a remarkably calm water day.

[Kirsten Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read-aloud and with sparse text, it’s great for modeling how the reader really has to “read” the illustrations.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central

Liam and his two sisters go to the beach, and he is determined to find a Wave. The ocean, however, does not cooperate, and is completely still. He waits and waits, and eventually decides to ask the birds for help. He even tries to "scare" up a wave. When that doesn't help either, he uses his best magical thinking and builds a huge sand castle, hoping to tempt a wave to knock it over. Nothing works, so he decides that he will create his own wave, and at least his little Sonja will have a good experience.

The simple text is large and makes for quick page turns. Young readers will find it easy to discuss what Liam hopes to accomplish, and why his plans don't really work. It's good that he finally takes some initiative and manages to give his sister a splashy beach experience.

The artwork is digitally created, and has simple shapes highlighted by bold black outlines. The colors include a lot of sandy tan and watery blue, with nice bright pops of red.

Get ready for a trip to the beach by spreading a beach towel on the floor and imagining that you are at the beach with Liam, then continue your day of (virtual) sand and sun by reading Doerrfeld's Nellie's Big Splash, Ree's Sora's Seashells, Brown's A Boy, His Dog, and the Sea, Elmquist and MacKay's Beach Baby, and Roosa and Smith's Beach Day. No sun screen needed, and no sand or wet towels to deal with!

Does anyone go to the beach ONLY for the waves? It seemed a bit odd that Liam would just wait for a wave instead of playing in the sand or walking and splashing in the water with his sisters. I feel like this would make more sense if I had read Just One Flake.

[Amy Oberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

While not as endearing as "Just One Flake" (...which was *perfections*, so the bar was high), I still enjoyed "Just One Wave." This story is sure to be popular with young listeners and readers, and the bold illustrations make it exceptionally helpful to use as a featured "read-aloud." I found the end to be unexpected and clever, and the addition of a sibling was a nice touch. I look forward to reading more of Liam's adventures in patience!

Publication Date: 2025
Format: Picture book
Elements: Concise text with bold illustrations
Connection/Topics: Summer, beach/ocean; patience, imagination, humor

[TheRetiredSchoolLibrarian |Mrs. Ferraris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary: Liam goes to the beach with his baby sibling, Sonja, and his mother, waiting for a wave to occur on the still water. It's time to go when Liam realizes he can make one big wave, pleasing his little sister.

Comments: This is a lighthearted story that would be a humorous read-aloud for preschoolers or kindergartners.

The illustrations were created using a Pentel Color Brush and Procreate.

Rating: 3.5/5 ⭐⭐⭐1/2

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

A perfect day to head to the beach! But our young swimmer wants waves and the lake is very calm. So he waits. But that is boring so he asks some birds to help. Nope. Maybe if he builds a huge sandcastle, the waves will come knock it down! Nope. Wait - what if Liam makes his own wave? His little sister, Sonja, is there to cheer him on.

Travis' illustrations are excellent. I love the sunset. And the final wave.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

A child waits all day for a wave he can ride while his family is at the beach. He finally decides to create his own and ends up letting his baby sister experience her first wave. Love the twist on the word to finish the story. Simple text for beginning readers. Lovely pictures that capture the beach, water and character emotions.

[Erin Buhr]

Have you read Just One Flake? This is the summer sequel to that fun winter story. The text is brief and works loud for reading aloud or for early readers. The illustrations are often comical. This is about the simple joys of summer. A relatable, satisfying summer read. 

[Cara Byrne · Rating 4 out of 5]

As we're knee deep into the summer and my kids' expectations have not exactly mapped onto what they have been able to do, this was a great book to read. I love how Sonja saves the day in an unexpected way.

[Ellon · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars (I really liked it)

This was so cute! I love all the ways the main character tries to solve their problem and I especially love the last page with the wave at the beach . I like how the character was trying to show their younger sibling around as well.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

End pages: family with beach items and a gray van with an open hatch; sun going down on the beach
Liam's trip to the beach is disappointing because there are no waves until he realizes he can make them himself. Last page...just one wave as he waves goodbye to the beach

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of a boy at the beach who just wants to see a wave. This is a great book for early readers since there is not much text to it.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very simplistic story about a day at the lake. Cute pictures

[Aolund · Rating 5 out of 5]

A simple and funny story about a child's longing for even just one wave to come crashing down during their day at the beach.

Themes: Ocean, Beach
Age range: Toddler-Kindergarten

[Jessie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Trying to tempt a wave out of the ocean... before realizing that you can make one just in time to leave for the year. Lots of fun beach play.

[Beckie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liam want to make a wave- Multiple meaning word - Waves

[Michele Knott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the illustrations but super loved that the book was dedicated to Lake Michigan :)

[Holly Wagner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such a sweet story of daily life during summer trying to enjoy the beach.

[Becca]

Cute illustrations, although I have never been to a beach when there were no waves.

[Alison Wood · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was okay, seemed a little simple but cute. Also interesting art style, loved that because it was different.

[M Aghazarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute

[Kelly Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for storytime. Large easy to see pics and words. Short. Summer theme. Big brother theme.
Would be great for toddler, or a shorter one for KR or Fam