Elisa Sabatinelli

The Secret of the Magic Pearl is a charming nautical-themed exploration of community, family, and a young boy’s courage. I kept in mind while reading that the book is a translation, and that there could possibly some cultural differences that may not have translated fully. And yet, I found the illustrations to be charming and engrossing, and the main character to be thoughtful and mature, yet age-appropriate and believable in his pursuits.
Hector imagines his ideal future in the town where his family identity is so deeply entwined, and as he embarks on his own efforts to find his own thread, he encounters challenges that threaten to change the way of life he holds so dear. Each chapter tackles a question in his life illustrating who or what is important to him, and as you close each, you become better and better friends with Hector. I have no experience with fishing, diving, or anything related to the seafarer’s life- and I found myself increasingly invested in the Marina, in Hector’s family history, and the preservation of his town. It’s hard not to liken Hector’s future with that of the preservation of the town: In the end the book became to me an earnest and imaginative metaphor for the battle with things that both simplify our lives and strip communities of character- industrialization, modernization, gentrification.
Hector and his community are a sympathetic and heart-warming argument for the former, and you will not regret this journey following the heart of this little boy. And if you’re like me, you’ll be left wondering about your own history.… (más)

This review includes the whole story: SPOILER ALERT

The only reason why I give this children's book for about 8-year-olds three stars are the illustrations. They are lovely and very colourful. The story itself is weak and badly written. (Considering they are claiming the story has been riping for nine years...)

Emilio's family has been pushed out of business by an "evil competitor" mostly because of price-dumping and a modern building. This and because he doesn't like the ocean but gains money from it - those are the two main characteristics to make him evil. I understand that they wanted to build up the "traditional = good" versus capitalistic evil but it doesn't work out well: Emilio is mostly just lamentating how bad and evil the competitor is (not saying how; basically just stating how he doesn't like him) - and this makes Emilio not very sympathetic.

However. Emilio is allowed to go diving for the first time on his eighth birthday and finds the mysterious and famous shining pearl everybody in the coastal village is looking for. They are building a museum so that people can visit the pearl. It gets stolen by the villain. But the ocean wants the pearl back and a huge storm is brooding - endangering Emilio's friend and the villain's daughter. They give the pearl back to the ocean and it calms down again. Funnily, when the whole story is over, the author starts describing the village and its people. Why now? There is not a lot about motives, "reasoning", "cause-and-effect".

So, if you are looking for a children's book with great illustrations, this is something for you. If you want the story to be well written, not so much.… (más)