Jess McGeachin, Find Me on the Coast, Lothian Children’s Books, July 2025, 40 pp., RRP $29.99 (hbk), ISBN 9780734423634
Jess McGeachin is an award-winning, prolific picture book author and illustrator, and his newest book Find Me on the Coast continues his exploration of the wonderous, natural world. This time, readers are invited on a journey, as we walk down a winding path to where the sand meets the sea. The title recalls Jeannie Baker’s stunning book Where the Forest Meets the Sea and Alison Lester’s classic Magic Beach, yet this text is quite different in that it is packed with fascinating facts about the creatures and plants that inhabit the coastlines of our vast country, and around the world.
Did you know that sea stars can jump and walk on hundreds of tube-like feet? Or that mudskipper fish can breathe both underwater and on land and can skid across the mud using their fins?
Lovely shifts in perspective add further interest in the picture book. At times, there are bird’s eye views as the reader flies alongside seagulls, worm’s eye views as we sit on sand or rocks with various creatures. In others we dive beneath the ocean surface for what might be called a fish-eye view!
Gentle yet serious messages about environmental damage to our oceans and coastlines give rise to thought and discussions without feeling heavy-handed.
This book is a beautiful publication, with simple endpapers establishing the scene in sandy yellow, without giving too much away. I am pleased that that they are subtle, because once the book is opened the illustrations are detailed and rich, especially the stunning splash pages (the playful sea otters are a standout!).
To quote McGeachin, this book truly gives us windows into different worlds, each home to a new community swept in by the waves.
Highly recommended for ages 5-9 (and beyond!)
Reviewed by Bronwyn Joseph
