The Ocean Lives There by M.J. Fievre

Welcome Back, Booklovers! It's always exciting to discover more indie publishers putting out amazing stories and Mango Publishing is doing just that. They sent me The Ocean Lives There by M.J. Fievre, so let's dive in!

The artwork is both beautiful and nostalgic, blending bright colors together to bring this story alive. Imane is curious about what's behind the door inside their house that momma always keeps locked. Behind the door is a world she feels so familiar with that holds a large piece of her mother's heart. Inane is transported from Miami to Haiti where they ride the multicolored tap-tap bus, gather shells on the beach, and drink fresh coconut water. It shows the side of Haiti that we don't really see portrayed in the media.

This is a great story for Caribbean diaspora children especially those who are not able to frequently visit the islands. I could easily see this story being taught in schools. It felt like a story that belongs in a school anthology.

Also I wanted to highlight that this picture book is more affordable than some of the ones on the market, has a lot more pages, and dialogue! There's more than a line or two on page and the story feels whole. You see the relationship between a Black mother and her child on full display. Definitely a must add to your child's shelf!