THE LINE IN THE SAND

Divisions are as arbitrary as you want them to be.

When an oblivious monster walks down the beach trailing a stick in one of their tentacles, they leave behind a line in the sand. It’s a line that doesn’t mean a lot to many of the other colorful monsters on the beach, but its existence suddenly divides a green, aquatic-looking monster hunting for shells and an orange monster with eyes attached to antennae. Their attempts to cross the line seem initially to be blocked; each takes umbrage at the other’s behavior, and the literal line in the sand takes on metaphorical qualities. Their frustration leads to fighting, and the line deepens—until efforts to swat away a bee cause a sand-kicking tussle that ultimately removes the divide. With the line gone, the two monsters at last acknowledge their foolishness and share a laugh and a hug. Although it’s told wordlessly, the story speaks volumes of imagined differences and the negative impact of imposed divisions. With the right guidance from savvy educators or caregivers, this one will be a valuable springboard for real-world conversations. The artwork uses bold pops of color and geometric designs to tell an elegant, profound story. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A monstrously important message.