Plot Summary
Beekle is an imaginary friend waiting to be chosen by a child. When that doesn't happen, he takes matters into his own hands by sailing off into the real world to look for his child-friend.
Personal Reaction
This story is a unique and unexpected twist on the imaginary friend storyline that we have been conditioned to expect. Who wouldn't want Beetle as their "unimaginary" friend. He looks adorable, not to mention, huggable. And the crown is just the perfect touch!
Memorable Literary Element
Dan Santat has mastered the art of telling a beautiful story without letting the words get in the way.
Illustrations
The artwork, rich in detail, and sweetness, spreads across each open-book canvas leaving the reading eager to turn another page. David Shannon uses color lavishly on the island where Beekle is born, however, when he enters the world of reality, there is a conspicuous lack of color, until Beekle reaches the playground where imagination knows no bounds.
Beekle is an imaginary friend waiting to be chosen by a child. When that doesn't happen, he takes matters into his own hands by sailing off into the real world to look for his child-friend.
Personal Reaction
This story is a unique and unexpected twist on the imaginary friend storyline that we have been conditioned to expect. Who wouldn't want Beetle as their "unimaginary" friend. He looks adorable, not to mention, huggable. And the crown is just the perfect touch!
Memorable Literary Element
Dan Santat has mastered the art of telling a beautiful story without letting the words get in the way.
Illustrations
The artwork, rich in detail, and sweetness, spreads across each open-book canvas leaving the reading eager to turn another page. David Shannon uses color lavishly on the island where Beekle is born, however, when he enters the world of reality, there is a conspicuous lack of color, until Beekle reaches the playground where imagination knows no bounds.
Reviews/Awards
Caldecott Medal Winner
New York Times Bestseller
#1 Indiebound Bestseller
Huffington Post Best Overall Picture Book of 2014
PBS Parents Best Picture Book of the Year
NPR "Great Read"
ALSC Notable Book for Children
A Chicago Public Library Best Picture Book of the Year
"How does an imaginary friend feel before he's been imagined? In Santat's sweet, mind-bending gumdrop of a tale, Beekle lives on a rainbow-hued island, 'hoping for his turn to be picked by a child.' Eventually, like Max in 'Where the Wild Things Are,' he takes to the seas and soon lands in the real world - which looks a lot like Manhattan. Though this island seems awfully drab, Beekle and his friend find each other at last. She's everything he's ever dreamed of, and the feeling is mutual."―The New York Times Book Review
Dan Santat is one of the hardest working people in the industry today. And while his immense talent was always evident, Beekle takes his artistry to a new level. The story (which is just bursting at the seams with charm) begins on an island of colorful creatures, each waiting to be imagined by a special child and thus transported to the real world.... As with all great books, Beekle has an air of inevitability about it. As if somewhere out there is an island of perfect stories just waiting for the right person to come along and imagine it into being. We should all be grateful that Santat, with his brilliant use of color and humor, was here to bring Beekle to life.―The Huffington Post
"Beekle (a crowned white gumdrop of lovable cuteness) lives on a fantastic island with other creatures "waiting to be imagined by a real child." After seeing his companions leave, one by one, Beekle loses faith that he will ever "be picked and given a special name," and so he does "the unimaginable" and ventures forth to find his friend...Welcome, Beekle. It's nice to know you."―Kirkus Reviews
"This story would comfort children looking for new friends and would also encourage children to reach out to someone different."―LMC
From School Library Journal — How long would you wait and how far a journey would you make to find your truest friend? Born on an island for imaginary friends, Beekle waits to be "imagined by a real child." He waits and he waits, but his turn never comes. Filled with impetuous courage, Beekle does the unimaginable and heads out across deep waters until he reaches the real world. He finds that life there is so harried that no one notices him. Eventually, as he waits at the top of a star-leafed tree, a small girl with a friendly face calls out to him with a picture in her hand. They learn to be friends, share adventures and snacks, joke, "and together they did the unimaginable." Santat's attention to detail in the mixed-media illustrations shares a child's eye for laughter and movement on full-bleed spreads with strategically placed text. Gazes of wonderment, broad smiles, and changes in perspective ensure an easy transition from page to page. Beekle's round white visage and taped orange paper crown are immediately identifiable in each scene, a sharp contrast to his surroundings against variations of dark neutrals on a city street or the brightly colored dragons of a child's imagination. Like Beekle's new friend, there's something here that feels just right as an "unimaginary" friendship creates a joyous, recognizable bond. A terrific addition to any library.—Mary Elam, Learning Media Services, Plano ISD, TX (starred review)
Caldecott Medal Winner
New York Times Bestseller
#1 Indiebound Bestseller
Huffington Post Best Overall Picture Book of 2014
PBS Parents Best Picture Book of the Year
NPR "Great Read"
ALSC Notable Book for Children
A Chicago Public Library Best Picture Book of the Year
"How does an imaginary friend feel before he's been imagined? In Santat's sweet, mind-bending gumdrop of a tale, Beekle lives on a rainbow-hued island, 'hoping for his turn to be picked by a child.' Eventually, like Max in 'Where the Wild Things Are,' he takes to the seas and soon lands in the real world - which looks a lot like Manhattan. Though this island seems awfully drab, Beekle and his friend find each other at last. She's everything he's ever dreamed of, and the feeling is mutual."―The New York Times Book Review
Dan Santat is one of the hardest working people in the industry today. And while his immense talent was always evident, Beekle takes his artistry to a new level. The story (which is just bursting at the seams with charm) begins on an island of colorful creatures, each waiting to be imagined by a special child and thus transported to the real world.... As with all great books, Beekle has an air of inevitability about it. As if somewhere out there is an island of perfect stories just waiting for the right person to come along and imagine it into being. We should all be grateful that Santat, with his brilliant use of color and humor, was here to bring Beekle to life.―The Huffington Post
"Beekle (a crowned white gumdrop of lovable cuteness) lives on a fantastic island with other creatures "waiting to be imagined by a real child." After seeing his companions leave, one by one, Beekle loses faith that he will ever "be picked and given a special name," and so he does "the unimaginable" and ventures forth to find his friend...Welcome, Beekle. It's nice to know you."―Kirkus Reviews
"This story would comfort children looking for new friends and would also encourage children to reach out to someone different."―LMC
From School Library Journal — How long would you wait and how far a journey would you make to find your truest friend? Born on an island for imaginary friends, Beekle waits to be "imagined by a real child." He waits and he waits, but his turn never comes. Filled with impetuous courage, Beekle does the unimaginable and heads out across deep waters until he reaches the real world. He finds that life there is so harried that no one notices him. Eventually, as he waits at the top of a star-leafed tree, a small girl with a friendly face calls out to him with a picture in her hand. They learn to be friends, share adventures and snacks, joke, "and together they did the unimaginable." Santat's attention to detail in the mixed-media illustrations shares a child's eye for laughter and movement on full-bleed spreads with strategically placed text. Gazes of wonderment, broad smiles, and changes in perspective ensure an easy transition from page to page. Beekle's round white visage and taped orange paper crown are immediately identifiable in each scene, a sharp contrast to his surroundings against variations of dark neutrals on a city street or the brightly colored dragons of a child's imagination. Like Beekle's new friend, there's something here that feels just right as an "unimaginary" friendship creates a joyous, recognizable bond. A terrific addition to any library.—Mary Elam, Learning Media Services, Plano ISD, TX (starred review)
Promotion Idea
Students can use the Web 2.0 tool MakeBeliefsComix to create a comic strip that shows an adventure that a character and his/her imaginary friend have together. These friends can travel to faraway places and do amazing things in their stories. The teacher can create QR codes for each comic and print them out, then place them on colorful index cards to display in a gallery walk for students, teachers, and parents to peruse.
Students can use the Web 2.0 tool MakeBeliefsComix to create a comic strip that shows an adventure that a character and his/her imaginary friend have together. These friends can travel to faraway places and do amazing things in their stories. The teacher can create QR codes for each comic and print them out, then place them on colorful index cards to display in a gallery walk for students, teachers, and parents to peruse.