What a treasure! Laurie Smollett Kutscera has crafted a soft, many-layered story of family, finding the magic in things you’d least expect, and the power of an idea. Readers will enjoy the poetic, lyrical text and beautiful, seascape illustrations. Kids will love seeing themselves in the main character, knowing they, too, have the ability to do something that matters. MAYA’S TREASURE is as lulling as the ocean itself, and a must for libraries of every kind.
KBigwood
Gorgeous Pictures And Lovely Text
This story by Laurie Smottett Kutscera is lovely, and when it is paired with her art, it is a masterpiece. The story of family, traditions, and making something beautiful is one everyone can relate to. Aside from the absolutely gorgeous illustrations and expertly written text, the story opens a question. “What do we treasure, and why?” I highly recommend this book and thank Ms. Smollett Kutscera for writing and illustrating this lovely story
Ellen L
A Reminder About The Joy Of Family Traditions
MAYA’S TREASURE brought back memories of visits to the seaside as a child, and then with my own children. Gathering seashells of all colors and sizes was the highlight and we always brought back home our treasures as souvenirs.
Inspired by her grandmother, Maya likes to keep up their family tradition of making shell jewelry. She looks for ways to find “magic” in the “tiniest nub”. So when Alita discards a few broken pieces of shell, Maya is determined to find a use for them. Rightly so, she creatively turns them into wind chimes frowned upon by Alita. Until something happens that shows the entire village what ‘mere’ shells can do.
This book is a celebration of family love and tradition, and of finding joy in little things around us. I enjoyed this heartwarming lyrical story with magical illustrations, and highly recommend it for readers of all ages.
Srividhya
A Breathtaking Blending Of Art And Story
This book is truly a work of art! The story is captivating with dreamy illustrations that are breathtakingly beautiful. This poignant story of friendship, family traditions and making something beautiful out of what seems imperfect, is heartwarming. A lovely story that captures the imagination, with a tender lesson of caring for the environment and treasuring all things.
ShirinBooks
Enchanting Read-Aloud!
Wow! This magical, immersive book speaks to family tradition, finding the beauty in the everyday, and believing in your own vision. Maya collects shells with her sister, Alita, just like Grandmother taught them. They make jewelry, but when Alita doesn’t see the beauty in some shells, Maya transforms them into something new–something that saves their entire village.
The lyrical text perfectly matches the dreamy art, creating a world that the reader wishes to step into. Highly recommend for homes, schools, and librarians!
HomeschoolMomSD
A Beautiful Story!
What a beautiful story about family tradition, love, creativity, and that old expression that sometimes the things we don’t want become someone else’s treasure. Maya and her sister Alita learned from their grandmother how to make jewelry and to see the magic in everything. Morning after morning, Alita, Maya’s sister, throws back into the ocean sea shells she thinks no one would like. However, Maya has a vision and is inspired by the love and lessons she received from her grandmother. She finds the most magical way to use those ugly seashells and these chunky, clunky shells save her entire village. The combination of the rich text and stunning illustrations lure you into beautiful moments we can only have when our hearts and minds are open to them.
Tina S.
Maya’s Treasure is…a treasure!
The words and art work wonderfully together to tell a story about family tradition and seeing the beauty and worth in all things. Kids will be drawn to the craft element in the story, and will likely be collecting shells anytime they have the chance! Parents, grandparents, and librarians, you’ll want this book on your shelf. The uplifting takeaways and rich, magical scenes make Maya’s Treasure a winner.
Mary V
A Visually Stunning Masterpiece!
The adage “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” rings true in this visually stunning masterpiece. The intricate shells in pastels and calming hues immerse the reader in the beach scenes, where young Maya discovers the magic of nature including shells her sister discards and calls “dreadful.” What treasure will Maya make with the weathered shapes and other elements? Not only does her treasure make a beautiful sound, it recalls Maya’s beloved Grandmother and helps people in the community find shelter during a storm.
Jenna H
This Book Is Just Gorgeous!
I was fortunate enough to be given an advanced copy of this and what a lucky lady I feel! This book is just gorgeous!
The cover of this book struck my heart straight away. The colours, the texture, the girls expression and who doesn’t remember having a collection of shells, pebbles or even sticks when they are younger and finding them the most precious treasures known to man. The image was instantly relatable and I was dying to see more. The language is lyrical, even written in short line stanzas adding to the poetry of the text.
The soft palette and almost chalky texture of the illustrations works so well alongside the text. It has a dreamlike Van Gogh style to it throughout, that helps paint a mental picture of a real sea breeze, rolling waves and crunchy sand. Children are bound to feel connected to this story instantly!
This is a quiet, reflective and thoughtful book, perfect for reading at bedtime. The loss of the grandmother is not upsetting in any way, in fact it is beautifully written and leaves the reader with a sense of love and hope rather than despair. The book is full of other positive messages for its readers too. To find the beauty in something ugly, to hold onto your dreams and to weather any storm.
The story builds beautifully too, I loved the growing tension between the girls and their ideas, as well as the growing storm. It is such a satisfying ending to the story too and one I’d never get tired of reading. The end reflects the beginning so well but with an added sense of success, empowerment and self-realization.
The book speaks of so much but what was extra special was the setting of a rural community where family and tradition take the forefront. I can’t wait to buy this book when it is released in print and read it to my daughter. I highly recommend it to you all too!
Pippa C
A Beautiful Story With Lyrical Language And Lovely Illustrations
Young Maya loves how her grandmother makes jewelry from shells, but Maya can’t seem to find the magic in the shells as her grandmother always did. But when Maya uses the shells in a clever way, she learns that her creative spirit can make a difference, and indeed can help everyone in her town. Laurie Smollett Kutscera’s moving story shows how each person can make their own treasures. Recommended for families, schools, and libraries.
Melissa S
A Beautiful Story about Family Traditions
Maya’s Treasure is a beautiful story about family, family traditions and finding the beauty in things where others can’t see. Gorgeous illustrations and lyrical text about the treasure that family memories and carrying on traditions can bring.
Joanna R