Caught in the "Riptide": a Review

By: Lisa Koosis
Submitted: 2007-01-17 16:42:00
Print this article | Tell a friend | For publisher | Social Bookmarking
Rating:
 

Has a book ever grabbed you long before your hands met the cover, long before your eyes glossed over the jacket copy? Has a book ever compelled you long before you heard the rhythm of its prose, long before its glossy pages slipped between your fingers?

A book did that for me. "Riptide" did that for me.

It was last year. I was in Cape Cod on vacation, enjoying lazy late spring mornings on the sand dunes and afternoons browsing through touristy shops for the best souvenirs. During the course of the day, I chanced upon a pamphlet detailing, among other things, the work of local writers. There, in crisp black and white, was an image of the cover of "Riptide" -- a dog standing high atop a grassy dune, head into the wind, hair blown back, overlooking the ocean.

I knew at once that -- despite the fact that Riptide is a children's book and I have no children -- I must have this book.

My husband and I hunted high and low for that book, and despite the fact that we tore apart every bookshop on Cape Cod, it was nowhere to be found. And though I enjoyed every moment of my Cape Cod Holiday, I went home empty-handed and ever so slightly disappointed.

Happily though, we live in an age of technology, and weeks later, I came home from work to find a book-sized box waiting for me. And there it was -- my much sought-after "Riptide" right on my own front step.

"Riptide" is easily the most beautiful book I've ever laid eyes on, both in the way of its prose and its artwork.

Frances Ward Weller writes exquisite prose. Her prose delivers the romance of the shoreline, with words that are certain to enchant adults and a rhythm sure to sooth any child...

They called him Rip. Riptide Windjammer. Not Scout or Pal or any of the plain old names for dogs they knew. Riptide for a current that runs out to sea when sandbars crumble. Windjammer for a ship that runs before the wind.

"Riptide" is illustrated to perfection by Robert J. Blake, an experienced book illustrator for both children and adults. His oil based illustrations capture the essence of the New England seashore. In his paintings, you feel the rush of the wind and the sting of the sea spray. His paintings are full of motion and sunshine. Children will love these paintings, and they would make beautiful framed prints for any aficionado of the seashore.

"Riptide" would make a beautiful coffee table book, as well.

Based on the true story of a dog who loved the sea, "Riptide" is sure to keep any child captivated. It's a book that an adult would not mind reading again and again to the child in his or her life.

**One word of caution:

"Riptide" may not be suitable for very young children, as several of the closing pages are disturbing, both in content and in illustration.

Lisa is an author on http://www.Writing.Com/ which is a site for Creative Writing

Article source: Expert Articles

Most Recent Articles in Book Reviews category

  • Self Help Books Are A Boon - By: Roberto Sedycias
    Self help books guide the individual to be his or her own teacher. It leads to empowerment of the self by the self in practically every field of development. Learn more.
  • Discount Book Clubs: Basic Facts - By: Franjo Tarandek
    Basic facts about discount book clubs. What are they, what types of book clubs exist, how they can afford to offer books at such low prices and more.
  • Four Reasons To Join A Book Club - By: Franjo Tarandek
    There are four major reasons why it is a good idea to join a book club: an enticing introductory offer, savings, free monthly club magazine and the selection of (often uniquely packaged) reading material. Learn more in this article.
  • Bestseller Book Clubs: Comparison - By: Franjo Tarandek
    Trying to choose an appropriate book club to join, especially if you are doing it the first time, and especially if you are looking at bestseller and general interest book clubs, can be a somewhat confusing task. There seem to be several offerings advertising quite similar features and benefits, so the question inevitably pops up: which one is right for you? Which one should you choose? Does it matter at all? Hopefully, this article will go some way toward answering these questions for you.
  • BOMC2 Book Club Review - By: Franjo Tarandek
    BOMC2 is a novel, subscription-based book service, established on a concept which eliminates two main drawbacks of traditional book clubs: featured selections and high shipping charges. Its low flat-rate price policy coupled with free shipping on each and every item might just change the way you shop for books.
  • A Book Review of "Insomniac" by Gayle Greene - By: John Scott
    This is a book review of Insomniac by Gayle Greene, a vivid first-person account of what it is like to live with insomnia. The reviewer applauds the main thrust of the book which is a passionate argument that there should be comprehensive but disinterested research into the causes of insomnia and its possible treatments.
  • 7 Vital Book Promotion Tips - By: Dolly Kapil
    As a literary publicist I often am asked about publicity tips, tricks, and the magic behind my work. It's not magic. All you need to know are the basics and from there you will be able to create an effective book promotion. Below I've listed the most vital and basic tips to a successful book publicity campaign.
  • Chris Carpenter's Google Cash - An Ebook Review - By: David Ledoux
    It is rare to find a brand new blueprint for making cash on the internet. The continuous churning of rehashed and ripped off regurgitated pablum has plagued the internet guru market for the last few years. But ever so often with some persistent digging you find a gem.
  • A Ghost in Cornwall - By: Simon Mitchell
    This land is my memories. For two thousand years this valley has been mine alone.I know every rock, every stream and every tree.
  • Are You Using Both Sides of the GoogleCoin? - By: Jason Hulott
    By now most of you realise that Google can give our websites the ability to appear within their results pages using a Pay Per Click model (PPC). This is called Google Adwords Hopefully, you will also be aware that that Google offerswebsite owners the ability to display these PPC results ontheir own websites. For this privilege, Google will pay the website owner ashare of the PPC revenue earnt from any click throughs onthe results displayed on their website.