“One day, the waves tipped their white postman hats to the Uncorker…”
What an image! When I read that line, I had to stop for a minute and think about the waves leaning in towards the Uncorker of Ocean Bottles. That, along with the mention of mermaid toenails and fishermen’s feet, roped me into this story, beautifully written and beautifully illustrated.
By the end, I could see similarities to one of my favorite picture books of all time, Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch by Eileen Spinelli. Like Mr. Hatch, the Uncorker lives a life that seems to be somewhat separate from his community. He’s made connections without realizing it and is loved for his commitment to his work. Others in his community find a way to acknowledge that what he does makes a difference to them. It’s a wonderful reminder to the reader that gratitude is important. A nice quiet read for a quiet day.
The Uncorker of Ocean Bottles by Michelle Cuevas and Erin E. Stead
