Up today, I’ve got a lyrically written story of friendship, moving, goodbyes, and new adventures, illustrated with an incredible amount of personality — Izzy and Frank, written by Katrina Lehman and illustrated by Sophie Beer.
*** Amazon and IndieBound Affiliate links used. A big thank you to Scribble Kids Books for sharing this book with our family in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions of this book are my own.
Meet Izzy, a young girl who lives in a lighthouse on an island. As much as she loved “the wind what whistled and wailed,” she loves her best friend, a seagull named Frank, even more. Life is perfect on her island, until Izzy has to move and everything changes. Rather than full of adventures, explorations, and messes to make, Izzy finds that her new home in the city is small, full of sharp corners, and requires wearing shoes and standing in line. We feel weighed down by the heaviness in Izzy’s heart when one day, Frank shows up at Izzy’s bedroom window!
Lehman has struck an amazing balance between a friendship story and a story of change, adjustments, and growth. We feel a sense of closure when Frank arrives, providing the emotional support Izzy needed to make new friends. His support and excitement around exploring the big city allow Izzy to embrace her new life, though she’ll never forget life on the island. This give-and-take friendship lends meaning for both the child who is moving and the child who is left behind, as both adjust to the changes and embrace new experiences.
As you read, pay close attention to Lehman’s descriptive language and abundant alliteration, as well as Beer’s striking choice of colors and whimsy.
I’ve added Izzy and Frank to our list of favorite books about moving. If you liked this one, you might also want to check out Hello Lighthouse by Sophie Blackall.
A big thank you to Scribble Kids Books for sharing this book with our family in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions of this book are my own.
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