Read Island: The Picture Book
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"Immersive ... A beautifully illustrated children’s poem about the joys of reading."
– The Kirkus Review
Signed by the author and illustrator!
Join a very brave girl and her furry friends on an adventure to Read Island! Through the power of imagination and the pleasure of reading, this curious trio set sail for a magical island made of books. On their way they discover a joyful collection of animals converging by sea and land, just in time for an unforgettable story hour.
A rhyming celebration of nature, books and the importance of stories, Read Island invites you to experience the diversity and wonder of a hidden and wild place. In the company of sea wolves, humpback whales and spirit bears, readers will discover simple meditations that summon a magical destination – one filled with beloved friends, safe spaces and stories to be revisited again and again.
For make-believe though it may look,
There is an island made of books.
This world of stories, safe and true,
Is always here to welcome you.
About the author & illustrator
Nicole Magistro is a professional reader and amateur mother who lives in the mountains of Colorado. She owned a bookstore for 15 years, wrote thousands of book reviews and memorized a few too many bedtime stories. Her favorite place in the world is the real Read Island, which inspired this story.
Alice Feagan grew up in a small town but has traveled the world many times over through the pages of her favorite books. This love of stories (and a mild obsession with art) inspired a career in illustration. Today, she is a children's book creator known for her distinct cut-paper collage style. When she is not writing or illustrating picture books Alice can be found hiking, creating, or reading with her two young sons. The Collectors was her authorial debut, and Read Island is the third book she has illustrated.
Praise for the book
Who wouldn't want to live on Read Island? Not every kiddo gets a chance to travel in real life, but they really go places with this charming picture book!
– Anne Holman, The King’s English, Salt Lake City, UT
A beautiful celebration of the adventure that is a story. We loved the Pacific Northwest themed illustrations! A must-have addition to any picture book library.
– Megan Waterman, The Book Nook, Canby, OR
A perfect read-aloud picture book that will delight all booklovers and create a generation of new ones! An instant classic that reminds us all that "From out to in, from here to there – Books can take you anywhere.
– Wendy Hudson, Nantucket Book Partners, Nantucket, MA
Unite book-loving animals, high-seas adventure, and gorgeous, innovative illustrations and you arrive at Read Island. Join them, be transported there, simply by beginning a story. Nicole Magistro and Alice Feagan have created a beautiful vessel for parents and children to understand, discuss, and celebrate the magic of reading.
–Heather Mateus Sappenfield, The River Between Hearts
Nothing pleases a librarian who reads to children daily more than a good rhyming book, except perhaps a good rhyming book about the love of reading. You certainly nailed it on both counts. The verse flows beautifully and is fun and engaging. The text is descriptive and leaves plenty of room for the imagination. Alice’s illustrations seem to capture Nicole’s words perfectly. I love that all the animals represented are indigenous to the story area. I can imagine many opportunities for extension in a story time or classroom with the animal characters as well. A great story that starts further discussion.
– Cricket Pylman, Vail Public Library, Vail, CO
I want to go to Read Island! What a magical, lilting, sweet story. The illustrations and poetry, reminding you to just breathe, to just take time to imagine, are soul-soothing for both the reader and little listener.
– Nicole Sullivan, BookBar, Denver, CO
Oh, how I love the whimsical illustrations and bookish allusions of this storybook! This story strikes the bullseye of sweetness and silliness with its read-aloud rhyme scheme, rotating cast of unique animal & human characters, moments of meditation, and colorful book-ventures.
–Abigail Paxton, Storyhouse Bookpub, Windsor Heights, IA
I highly recommend this charming and heartwarming rhyming story about the power and magic of books! The beautiful cut-paper collage style illustrations feature an array of forest and ocean animals who are traveling to Read Island for storytime. This book will delight any child who loves nature, reading, and adventure.
–Jen Pace Dickenson, Polk County Public Libraries, Columbus, NC