Treasure

by Mireille Messier, Irene Luxbacher (Illustrator)

Overview

When two siblings go on a treasure hunt, they aren't sure exactly what kind of treasure they are looking for. What they do know is that treasures are shiny, mysterious and precious. And that all the really good treasures are hidden!

As they explore the forest, their curiosity pays off when they find the biggest, shiniest, most mysterious and precious treasure hidden just over a hill.

Told exclusively in dialogue, this beautifully illustrated picture book exudes a sense of wonder at the natural world and emphasizes the magical qualities of looking through a child's eye.

Also available in French as Trésor, translated by the author, Mireille Messier.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781459817340
Publisher:	Orca Book Publishers
Publication date:	09/10/2019
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	10.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.31(d)
Lexile:	AD320L (what's this?)
Age Range:	3 - 5 Years

About the Author

Mireille Messier is a Montreal-born, Ottawa-raised and now Toronto-based award-winning children's writer with a background in broadcasting and theater. Before becoming an author, Mireille worked as a television and radio host, a scriptwriter, a book reviewer and a voice actress. Sometimes she still does those things. Mireille has published over twenty books, some in French, others in English, for children of all ages. The Branch was nominated for Shining Willow, Blue Spruce and Governor General's Awards. Mireille lives in Toronto with her husband, two wonderful daughters, three fluffy cats and over a hundred goldfish.

Irene Luxbacher is an illustrator, children's book author and a graduate of Queen's University and Emily Carr University of Art and Design. Her children's books have received numerous awards and accolades, including being nominated for a Governor General's Award for illustration and chosen for USBBY's Outstanding International Books List. Irene lives in Toronto.

Editorial Reviews

This is a very good choice to teach the value of time spent in the natural world, looking for treasures of nature. Young children will be encouraged to discuss their own treasures and what makes them so special.

Must Read Literature: K thru YA

A good story to read aloud.

CM: Canadian Review of Materials

Treasure reminds us that although we might not always find what we are looking for, we might discover something even more magical—a connection to nature and our Earth.

Autumn Peltier

A wonderful way of rediscovering ancient, life-giving treasures.

David Suzuki

If you have a little treasure seeker, this is a beautiful book for story time inside or outside. And if you have someone who is reluctant to go outside, this is an excellent enticement.

Glass of Milk blog Glass of Wine

Full of wonder and the beauty of the natural surroundings, this book is a treat.

Sal's Fiction Addiction

09/01/2019

PreS-Gr 2—Two siblings take a long walk through nature in search of a treasure. Along the way the younger sibling points out many possible treasures and wonders what her sister is looking for. Her sister tells her, "a treasure is shiny and mysterious and precious. And the best treasures are always hidden." Readers will appreciate the magnificent reveal. Messier has created a dynamic tale that shows the importance of opinion, but that also captures a wonderful sibling dynamic. The text and vocabulary are easy to read and understand, with certain key words repeating in order to make young readers question the idea of treasure. It is also simple to tell which child is speaking, which makes it easy on older readers to change character voices. Luxbacher has created some fantastic illustrations that highlight the adventure the siblings are going on, the beauty of nature, and the intricacies of each treasure. These illustrations also add a sense of time to the tale, sometimes simply existing without text in order to show how the siblings are interacting with nature. The French translation adds a bit more personality to the siblings through the simple phrases, highlighting the children's wonder of the world around them. However, Messier and Luxbacher have created a vivid adventure that leads right to a shiny, mysterious, and precious treasure in both French and English. VERDICT An excellent read-aloud to teach children how one person's treasure may be different from another's, but that they are both still important.—Margaret Kennelly, iSchool at Urbana-Champaign, IL

School Library Journal

★ 2019-04-28
From tiny discoveries to one big treasure, the natural world delights at every turn.

In simple yet engaging dialogue, two children set out on a treasure hunt, through a meadow and a wood, in search of something "shiny and mysterious and precious…and always hidden." The younger one finds a feather ("not shiny enough"), an acorn ("not mysterious enough"), and a milkweed pod ("not precious enough"); all while they play in the grass and trees around them. Ready to give up, the younger child is sure they'll never find the too-well-hidden treasure, but the tenacious older one takes a few steps more. At last, they discover something truly shiny, mysterious, precious, and hidden, which won't fit in pockets but instead will live on in the memories of these young explorers. Softly muted, colorful illustrations feature treasures big and small to discover on each detailed spread. Perspective changes throughout, with close-ups, faraway landscape spreads, and a lovely look down at one child's feet immersed in water as the two children hold hands. The children are depicted nearly constantly in motion, with the older child's long, black hair often flowing sideways in the wind. (Both have pale skin and straight, black hair.) The companion French title offers a superb translation (also by Messier), with its own lively phrases—perfect for building language skills in young readers.

A gentle exploration, using a child's words and told at a child's pace, of a marvelous world. (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews

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