Just One Wave

3.5

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Author(s)

Travis Jonker

Publisher

Abrams Books for Young Readers

Genre(s)

Age Range

Release Date

April 15, 2025

ISBN

978-1419773716

Buy This Book

A hilarious celebration of summertime, curiosity, and outdoor play in this companion to Just One Flake, from critically acclaimed author-illustrator and elementary school librarian Travis Jonker

It’s the perfect day to go to the beach. The sun is shining, the sand is warm, and the water is . . . completely still?

Liam is determined to catch a wave, no matter what. He tries waiting patiently . . . no luck. He asks the seagulls for help . . . they are no help. He even tries tempting a wave with his beautiful sandcastle, but the water refuses to budge.

Nothing seems to work. Until, in a sudden moment of inspiration, Liam realizes if he can’t find a wave, he’ll just have to make one himself.

Editor review

1 review

Making Waves

June 07, 2025 (Updated: June 30, 2026)

Overall rating

3.5

Plot

3.0

Characters

4.0

Writing Style

4.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

3.0

Liam and his two sisters go to the beach, and he is determined to find a Wave. The ocean, however, does not cooperate, and is completely still. He waits and waits, and eventually decides to ask the birds for help. He even tries to "scare" up a wave. When that doesn't help either, he uses his best magical thinking and builds a huge sand castle, hoping to tempt a wave to knock it over. Nothing works, so he decides that he will create his own wave, and at least his little Sonja will have a good experience.

Good Points

The simple text is large and makes for quick page turns. Young readers will find it easy to discuss what Liam hopes to accomplish, and why his plans don't really work. It's good that he finally takes some initiative and manages to give his sister a splashy beach experience.

The artwork is digitally created, and has simple shapes highlighted by bold black outlines. The colors include a lot of sandy tan and watery blue, with nice bright pops of red.

Get ready for a trip to the beach by spreading a beach towel on the floor and imagining that you are at the beach with Liam, then continue your day of (virtual) sand and sun by reading Doerrfeld's Nellie's Big Splash, Ree's Sora's Seashells, Brown's A Boy, His Dog, and the Sea, Elmquist and MacKay's Beach Baby, and Roosa and Smith's Beach Day. No sun screen needed, and no sand or wet towels to deal with!