POPPY'S HOUSE

A treasured family visit brings joy to a child and their grandfather.

The child and their mother set sail on a long voyage; they see mountains, boats, and humpback whales before they finally arrive at a distant, rural island. Moose graze, puffins congregate, and, best of all, Poppy greets them. As the child’s mother waves goodbye, Poppy embraces the happy child. The protagonist watches, and sometimes lends a helping hand, as Poppy goes about his daily chores, which involve food preparation and gathering. They explore the island, counting masts, cod, and sea waves. Each evening brings a cozy reading time. Alas, the visit comes to an end—until next year. Courtney, who references summers in Newfoundland on the book’s dedication page, has written a loving ode to a special family relationship and locale. The details may not be familiar to all readers, but the strong feelings of love and companionship will resonate. The earth-toned illustrations, rendered in colored pencil and gouache and finished digitally, are a fitting match for the flora and fauna depicted. A lovely quilt design on the endpapers beautifully captures the local birds, beasts, greenery, and buildings. The child, their mother, and their grandfather are light-skinned. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

In this warm, gentle tale, everyday activities take on a special meaning during a summer island vacation.