View the comical sign about seagulls next to the famous Ivar's Fish and Chips on Seattle, Washington's waterfront. http://www.hickerphoto.com/seattle-seagulls-9209-pictures.htm
However, Northwest author and illustrator, Karl and Kimberly Erickson's new release, Tristan's Travels: http://tristanstravels.com/default.aspx tells what happens when a shy young girl brings together a seagull that’s afraid to fly, a mysterious rabbit, and a squirrel loaded with more energy than brains?http://www.rafkapress.com/Products/TristansTravels/
****************************************************************************
Tristan's Travels, by Karl Bjorn Erickson, Illustrated by Kimberly Erickson, Rafka Press, 2010, Ages 8 & Up, ISBN: 978-0-9779628-2-2, $13.95
Karl Erickson's humorous allegory of Tristan, a "scared spit-less" Oregon seagull, opens with Tristan's dream of a smiling man dressed in simple robes with sandal shod feet. A large grey wolf stands beside him, while birds flutter about and simple forest creature's mill around his feet. Tristan wakes with the memory of a mysterious message about rushing streams, cliffs, fear, and untying knots where "something lost must be found."
The story begins with the sun breaking through the morning fog. Tristan peers out from his bed, knows it's that "special time of day" and can't help himself. "Cock-a-doodle-doo!" he screeches into the bright morning sky.
Then the little seagull stretches his wings and hops down from his perch, a cubbyhole hidden beneath a window planter box he found on a houseboat named "Going Nowhere Fast." He scanned the dock before he waddled toward the houseboat's front door in search of the morning newspaper where he overhead Willy Miligan, the houseboat's owner on the telephone. Miligan's loud complaints to the publisher about missing newspapers made Tristan quicken his pace.
Thus begins the adventurous mystery, "Operation Cute and Funny." Where readers meet Furdock, the grey detective bunny rabbit, Nipper the squirrel who records messages like an answering machine, Clive the missing dwarf hamster and a shy little girl named Maria. However, they also meet Beatrice, the hen who adopted Tristan's egg and raised him as her own little chicken when he hatched. No wonder poor Tristan is confused!
Add Tristan's fear of flying, dumpster diving, an animal population tutored with "proper English," "Raccoon Bob's Crunch-e-licious cereal," and you have a classic in the making.
Inspired by Saint Francis of Assisi and the writings of C.S. Lewis Erickson's narrative is one of pure delight. It's imaginative, action-packed adventure of faith and friendship will enchant readers of all ages. The book reflects a Catholic perspective but readers of all faiths will enjoy the Disney-like qualities and quirky characters of this lighthearted tale in the vein of Beatrix Potter.
Click SUBSCRIBE TO EMAIL above and enter your email to receive alerts when Gail's reviews are posted.
Comments