Treasure

by Mireille Messier, Irene Luxbacher

When two siblings go on a treasure hunt, they aren't sure exactly what kind of treasure they are looking for. What they do know is that treasures are shiny, mysterious and precious. And that all the really good treasures are hidden! As they explore the forest, their curiosity pays off when they find the biggest, shiniest, most mysterious and precious treasure hidden just over a hill. Told exclusively in dialogue, this beautifully illustrated picture book exudes a sense of wonder at the natural world and emphasizes the magical qualities of looking through a child's eye. Also available in French as Trésor , translated by the author, Mireille Messier.

Genres: Picture Books, Nature, Fiction, Childrens, France, Storytime, Adventure

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 10, 2019

Reviews

[Mel (Epic Reading) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful artwork and lots of colour is found in Mireille Messier's children's book Treasure. A good length for a bedtime story and doesn't have any huge moments that might over excite children for a nap or sleep read.

Unfortunately I didn't love the content of this story. A little girl goes looking for treasure and asks her mother many times if something from nature is the 'treasure'. Things like a flower, rock, etc. Eventually the 'treasure' is a hidden, special waterfall. I didn't really like that the other items prior to that (which might be considered treasures to many) were dismissed as not treasure. I also didn't like that the waterfall, which is an intangible thing, was called treasure. I realize the point here is likely to teach children that physical objects or items aren't the only kind of treasure in the world; but it felt a bit forced to me. I would have preferred to have the mother say that while an item can be someone's treasure it's not HER treasure.

This change would allow for children to learn:
a) anything can be treasure, not just objects (especially nature items!),
b) treasure is special to each person,
c) treasure can be special in it's own way. For example: not all treasure is equal or even the same (ie: gold coin versus waterfall).
While I don't think there is any harm in the way this story is set-up for children; it's just not the way I would have done it.

Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

One person's treasure is just another piece of stuff to someone else. This book has the reader looking through the eyes of two children who are trying to find a treasure. When my grandson and I go for a walk to the park, he is constantly picking things up and putting them in his pocket. When he comes home he has lots of treasure, but there are also lots of treasures he can't pick up and put in his pockets. In Treasure, we meet a girl and her little brother out on a treasure hunt. They make their way through the backcountry and woods to find the treasure the sister had in mind when they set out. She thinks a treasure is shiny, mysterious and precious, missing out on so many treasures her brother finds along the way. At last, they come upon the most wonderful treasure, one that won't fit into their pockets. I read this one to my grandchildren and they were both quite enthralled with the book. They loved the illustrations and agreed with the little boy that there were a lot of treasures along the way. My grandson got frustrated with the big sister not listening to her brother about what he thought were treasures. My granddaughter loved the illustrations. Overall, this book was a success and is one that I would read to them again. A good addition to a family library, a classroom or school library as well. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.

[Etienne · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unfortunately I can,t say I like this one. The illustrations weren't my style but I'll admit they have a little something in them! For me it was the story and the message it contain that is just way too empty to be worth it. Big deception!

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe this book will inspire youngsters to look for treasures in nature, outside.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmm, mixed feelings. On one hand, it's a lovely story of two siblings exploring nature. My five-year-old asked for multiple rereads and loved the illustrations. But, my oldest remarked that the big sister in the story is a bit dismissive of her little sister's "treasures" and I agree -- what may be a treasure to one person may not be to another, but nothing in nature is too small or "insignificant" to be discounted as a "treasure." I puzzled a bit at the final message of this one.

[Storytime With Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

To a child, treasure is the most wonderful thing. On a typical day walking around your own neighbourhood your little one might find pockets and pockets of treasure to bring home to share. An interesting leaf here, a shiny stone there, an acorn under, a feather over, all of these things are treasures to eyes full of wonder. In the magical book Treasure by Mireille Messier and Irene Luxbacher we meet a couple of siblings out on a treasure hunt. They make their way through the backcountry and through the woods to find the elusive treasure. According to the big sister something is only treasure if it is shiny, mysterious, and precious and she is the ultimate judge of whether an object meets all the criteria. On their treasure hunt they find many things, many things that fit perfectly into little pockets but don’t quite qualify as treasure. Finally, they discover the most wonderful treasure, it checks every box but just can’t be kept in a pocket.

If you are a fan of Marie-Louise Gay’s Stella and Sam series you will really enjoy this lovely little story by Mireille Massier. It has a very similar vibe with the big sister helping the little brother navigate the world. Irene Luxbacher’s illustrations are so inviting. They are brilliant and eye catching and so inviting. You will want to bring out this little story again and again just to see if you can pick up more details and interesting objects (treasures!) in her illustrations

[Aolund · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quiet, magical picture book great for reading with a small group of kids. Two siblings, both with pale skin and dark hair, one older and one younger, search for treasure in a beautiful setting of forests, glens, and valleys. There's lots to spy in the entrancing pictures, and a strong message of the importance and beauty of nature, though of course the older sibling's certainty that a feather or an acorn isn't a treasure could be a matter for debate :).

Themes: Nature, Beauty, Siblings
Age range: 2-8

[Elizabeth Seibel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you #netgalley for giving me a copy of #Treasure to review. The illustrations are gorgeous! I could look at them all day and find new things each time. The story is about two sisters on a journey to find a treasure. I liked that the dialogue was what I would expect to hear from my kids at home. It is a book I would definitely buy for my classroom and my home.

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, magical illustrations! Two siblings go out looking for "treasure" by enjoying their time in the forest, collecting little things like feathers and acorns. The treasure they find at the end is too big to fit in their pockets! Very cute. I love me a nature-y book.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two siblings on a nature walk, looking for treasure. They find several things, but not the treasure. Then they encounter a ginormous treasure.

Love how one is all focused on the hunt and the other is focused on enjoying the day outside.

[Rebecca Upjohn]

I especially loved the art in this sweet picture book about siblings seeking, and finding treasure. Irene Luxbacher's work is exquisite.

[Nadia L. Hohn]

I liked the pacing of this book and the double-page spreads without words. The dialogue between the two children was natural. Irene’s illustrations were dreamy, detailed, and full of natural wonder.

[V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Treasure is a feel-good story in the best possible way. It is satisfying to see the children persevere and finally come upon a glorious scene. There is so much beauty on every page – you could discover countless nature treasures perusing the two-page spreads that show each of the children's stops along the way. Treasure is inspiring as well. It will likely be hard for little ones to resist setting out right away to find their own treasures.

If you have a little treasure seeker, this is a beautiful book for story time inside or outside. And if you have someone who is reluctant to go outside, this is an excellent enticement.

Note:
Orca Book Publishers provided a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Karrie Chajkowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations allow children to predict what the treasure will be and follow this pair as they search for an amazing treasure. Great to teach voice to students.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

An elementary and up picture book about a brother and sister searching through nature for a treasure. super cute and breathtaking ending.

[A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emphasizes wonder and exploration, and encourages kids to see nature as a gift (plus, YAY for non-materialistic behavior and the cooperation between siblings).

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the beautiful pictures in this book. The story was good too, not too long and not too short. This is a nice storytime addition.

[Bre · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a short adorable book about two kids on an adventure to find treasure. The illustrations are beautiful and it it a fun story.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two children go on a walk in nature to find a treasure. But what makes a treasure? The things that we value can vary widely between people, and these values profoundly influence the way understand and think about ourselves, our relationships and the world. As a teacher, I use this book extensively as a beautiful, relatable way to introduce ethical and philosophical thinking with young children. I typically accompany this story with junk/ recycled art and construction activities, as a way to explore and express ideas about what we value:



During their treasure hunt, the younger child in this story finds a range of objects and asks "is this a treasure?" to which the older child replies "no, it's not [shiny, mysterious, precious] enough". Toward the end, the younger child becomes tired and frustrated. But encouraged by the older child, they continue their search for the treasure: a rainbow over a waterfall.

The illustrations are stunning - with a wonderful balance between beautiful simplicity and hidden detail to discover and surprise. Some of the pages have no text, creating the same atmosphere of silence and presence that being in nature often brings. Children can be asked to imagine what is happening, how the characters are feeling, and to make their own interpretations.

The text is far more complicated. As other reviewers have pointed out, a surface reading of the text suggests that "treasures" (and what we value) must be big, bold and grand. However, there are other clues in the text that suggest the author may be challenging the reader to think more deeply ("is this a treasure?" the young child wonders, holding up an acorn underneath some majestic, ancient trees. "No...it is not mysterious enough" says the older child....hmm). The last page, wordless, displays a delightful treasure created from the young child's favourite objects...left behind as they stroll home. I suspect that the author is asking the reader to think twice about what makes something a "treasure" - important, worthwhile and valuable. I often ask children if they would like to play with the little treasure at the end of the book (usually, "yes!") - and then we wonder why the children left it behind.

For this reason, I love using this text as a discussion piece. "What makes something a treasure?". At first children will often choose the adjectives in the book. But on re-reading the book, we can begin to challenge the older child's perspectives...treasures are not always, necessarily "shiny", or even particularly mysterious. This is also a wonderful way to enhance vocabulary and to invite children to consider that different beings have different perspectives (is the tree a "treasure" for the squirrels who have made a home in the trunk?).

[Raymond Library · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing style of this book reminds me of one of my favorites: No Yeti Yet by Mary Ann Fraser. The book really encourages kids to go outside on an adventure to find whatever they deem to be treasure.

[Helena#bookdreamer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was short, lovely storybook about two girls looking for a treasure within their natural surroundings. Eventually they find it and it's beautifully unexpected. Great book for toddlers.

[charlene.librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's something amazing about the saturated color in the illustration. Gorgeous with green chartreuse, and yellow texture. A visual delight and sweet story about older sister and brother looking for a precious treasure. Some can fit in pockets and some cannot!

Both author and illustrator are Canadians.

[Bethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story told in dialog using 2 different fonts for the 2 sisters. Although arriving at final treasure is rewarding, it seems like the older sister is not appreciating the little treasures that her sister has found along the way.

[Ali Book&Seaglasshunter · Rating 2 out of 5]

A set of siblings go looking for treasure, with the older leading the younger. The younger sibling isn’t sure what to look for, and continually asks the older sibling if a feather, rock, acorn, etc are treasure. She says no. This confused my kids because they do consider those things to be treasures. I feel like instead of saying just “No” it could have been “maybe if you’re a bird”, “if your a squirrel looking for a meal”, or something like that. The final treasure SPOILER ALERT was a waterfall. Which is treasure in its own right but it just didn’t make sense as to why or how they decided that was their treasure.

I wanted to like this book a lot more. The illustrations are dreamy and beautiful. The message just felt confusing and flat to me and my kids weren’t into it either. Overall I felt disappointed and confused when the book ended.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from Orca Book Publishers through NetGalley.
A delightful hunt by two siblings. The older proposes a treasure hunt and the younger agrees. After the younger presents several interesting items from nature, they finally find the treasure the oldest was seeking - a waterfall creating a rainbow in the sunlight.
Messier uses two fonts to show which sibling is speaking which helps a younger reader follow the story. The illustrations are full of hidden details for readers to explore.
A fun book for two to share and each read one of the parts.

[Aliza Werner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dreamy illustrations and initially a concept I loved, but didn’t pay off in the end. Big sis is looking for a treasure, meanwhile little brother collects his treasures (a feather, acorn), but these are not given their fur as treasures. Big sister’s treasure in the end overshadows the little treasure that fit in brother’s pocket. Missed opportunity.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deux enfants cherchent un trésor et trouvent une chute d'eau dans ce livre paisiblement illustré sur les merveilles de la nature. J'ai beaucoup compris ce livre même si mon français est mauvais.

Two children search for treasure and find a waterfall in this peacefully illustrated book about the wonders of nature. I understood a lot of this book even though my French is bad.

[Allie Outhouse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gorgeous illustrations and perfect amount of text but only waterfalls are breathtaking treasures not simple every day finds.

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

beautiful illustrations

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

beautiful illustrations