Facing the Wave

Rebecca Marshallsay (text) and Vaughan Duck (illustrator), Facing the Wave, Larrikin House, April 2022, 24 pp., RRP $14.99 (hbk), ISBN 9781922503701

Facing the Wave is a story about bravery, facing fears and the joy of the ocean.

What a delightful story! Jude and his family love the beach and especially riding the waves. Although Jude can swim, dive and snorkel he feels that surfing is just a ‘bridge too far’ or more to the point ‘a wave too far’. His parents and his sister Lucy impress with their surfing speed, skills and tricks, whilst Dad is the ultimate laid back, cruisy, surfie dude from another place in time. 

 Jude must overcome his fears if he is to fulfill his dream of becoming a ‘world champion grommet’. He shares his many anxieties regarding the potential dangers that may well await him in the ocean with his dad who assures Jude that he will be right there at his side. 

Rebecca Marshallsay sensitively explores the development of emotional resilience, whilst subtly highlighting strategies such as healthy risk taking, sharing anxieties with a trusted adult and positive self – talk as a means to overcome perceived fears. Dad highlights things that could happen to Joel when he takes to the waves, including getting dinged, tumbled, dumped and wiped out, but reassures Joel that the fun that can be had is sure to outweigh the spills and bumps that he is certain to experience. The familiar adage of ‘if at first you don’t succeed try, try again’ resonates in Dad’s wise words and soon Joel’s fears are replaced by the pumping adrenaline and extreme thrill of surfing a wave. 

In terms of literacy development in the early years, Rebecca’s text provides great examples of alliteration, word emphasis, picture book plot structure, rhyme (and the fun that can be had with it), unique character development and the opportunity to develop a word bank of topic-specific words related to surfing. Emergent and early readers are sure to glean hours of pleasure from this fun filled tale. 

Rebecca Marshallsay lives on the Gold Coast and has worked as a freelance writer and university tutor for more than 10 years, during which time she has also completed a Masters in Professional Writing and a Juris Doctor. She believes that sharing stories is one of the most powerful forces there is (followed closely by the soothing powers of a good cup of tea). Rebecca drew on her passion for surf lifesaving, surfing and adventure to write her debut picture book Facing the Wave. 

Vaughan Duck’s cartoon style reflect strong and fun illustrations skills, with a powerful sense of voice and style. His choice and balance of colours have an almost sensory effect on the reader especially those selected for the sand, surf and the sky. As a result, there is a treasure trove of visual language on offer for young and enthusiastic readers and their literacy mentors. 

Young and emergent readers are sure to delight in this light hearted yet meaningful story about facing and overcoming fears and the beauty and the majesty of the ocean. It is a completely charming book for early readers who will be entertained from the very first page. 

Recommended for ages 3+ 

Reviewed by Julie Deane