Yellow Kayak
2018
When I went to visit my little nephew, I saw Yellow Kayak in the guest bedroom, but didn't have an opportunity to read it, so I sought out a copy from the public library.
The story here is very simple, and aimed, I suspect, at the very youngest children. A child and giraffe paddle out in a yellow kayak, away from their home in a log cabin on a forested island. They see some wildlife, endure a storm, see more wildlife, and are pushed home by whales.
The text is told in 4-line stanzas with simple ABCB rhyming structure. Each line is only two words, so Laden's economy of words is pretty impressive.
Half (or more) or the narrative emerges solely from Melissa Castrillon's art, which I would say is the main attraction of the book. Castrillon works entirely with a few shades of warm yellow, orangey-pink, and blueish-green. The text and outlines are a dark blue, softening the appearance further. Her illustrations feel gentle; all the animals have curious eyes, and most have smiling mouths. The ocean and storm feel powerful, but not frightening. There are a lot of botanical details that make it all look lush and alive.
Laden and Castrillon give us a simple, gentle story of a child's first adventure out into the world without parents, and the successful return home. The trip isn't perfect, and might include moments of doubt, but friendly strangers are willing to help. It's the same story, I realize now, that's told in every episode of that Japaenese television program that shows young children's first times running errands.
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