When it comes to the world of pre-K children’s literature, a genre consisting primarily of picture books and read-alongs, the sheer number of time-honored classics leaves little room on most young reader’s bookshelves for new, contemporary additions. Yet, despite the stiff competition from caterpillars and generous-to-a-fault trees, a deluge of new titles continues to appear year after year. With so much to choose from, it’s difficult to imagine a more imposing genre for first-time authors keen on making a splash—difficult, but not impossible. It only takes a single read-through Nicole Magistro and Alice Feagan’s READ ISLAND: THE PICTURE BOOK to recognize that the Colorado-based duo has crafted something truly special.

Book in hand, a little girl decides to open to a page and take an adventure, setting sail to an island made of books. Anticipating her arrival, a troop of furry friends comes together for storytime. From grizzly and wolf to eagle and moose, critters big and small gather on the beach to share their tales. READ ISLAND closes with a reminder speaking to the imagination-fueled world that awaits within the pages of each and every book.

A self-described “professional reader and amateur mother,” author Nicole Magistro knows a thing or three about the publishing industry. Following a fifteen-year stint at the helm of a local bookstore, the Colorado-based author shifted gears and co-founded Read Island, a ‘woman-owned company inspired by books and nature.’ Given her background, it’s little surprise that the narrative driving READ ISLAND, a poignant story composed of rhythmic couplets, is pitch-perfect from cover to cover.

As for the visual component of READ ISLAND, simply put, Alice Feagan’s illustrations are breathtaking. Utilizing a ‘cut-paper collage style,’ Feagan’s work renders every single page of this book a work of art. The foreground ably conveys the narrative, but the true magic resides in the layered, vivid settings framing the colorful cast of characters. Long after reciting the words, readers’ eyes will undoubtedly linger on the page.

READ ISLAND features a linear narrative, but the book is less a story and more an open letter to readers young and old, extolling the virtues of books and the magic they contain. While one can’t help but wonder about the little girl at the heart of this tale—who is she, where does she come from, and what’s her name?—Magistro’s decision to render our protagonist an anonymous avatar makes complete sense when viewed within the context of the larger purpose driving this book. To that point, with so many things competing for a child’s attention in our screen-dominated world, the importance of nurturing a love for reading at a young age can not be overstated. An important component to any toddler’s development, read-alongs often provide children with their first introduction to the written word, a responsibility that Magistro and Feagan clearly take to heart.

A captivating and beautifully illustrated read-along that has all the makings of an instant classic, READ ISLAND is the perfect example of a picture book that will invite repeat visits long after readers have ‘aged out’ of the text.

~James Weiskittel for IndieReader