Jules vs. the Ocean by Jessie Sima (review)
Buy Issue for $25 at JHUP- Jules vs. the Ocean by Jessie Sima
Trade ed. ISBN 978-1-5344-4168-2 $17.99
E-book ed. ISBN 978-1-5344-4169-9 $10.99
Reviewed from galleys R 3-6 yrs
Jules strives to impress her older sister by building the “most excellent” sandcastle on the beach, but the ocean repeatedly washes it away before she can make any progress. Defeated, Jules surrenders to the ocean’s whims—only to have her sister help her craft a castle they both love, which is washed away by the sea as well. Jules concedes that their shared castle was “most excellent” and realizes that they will have to watch for the tides next time. This readaloud uses easy, short phrases for younger viewers, who may relate to the struggle of trying to impress an older sibling. Sima’s art is reminiscent of the end of a sunny day at the beach, with digital art that casts long shadows and sunset colors as the sun descends and the moon comes out; the cartoonish family has oversized heads and noses, and the sea beautifully reflects the setting sun. There are a few potential morals here—everything is impermanent or that the journey is more important than the destination—and readers and viewers alike will appreciate the simplicity of a day at the beach where the only worry is how to make a remarkable sandcastle.
