Looking for Atlantis

by Colin Thompson

When a seafaring grandfather returns home for the last time, his ten-year-old grandson searches for the great treasure hidden in the sailor's old wooden chest.  But Grandfather's legacy is much more than gold coins--it is the promise that the imagination holds the mightiest treasure of all.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fantasy, Death, Art, Juvenile

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 7, 1993

About the author

Since he started writing and illustrating children's books in 1990, Colin Thompson has had more than 50 books published. He has received several awards, including an Aurealis Award for the novel HOW TO LIVE FOREVER and the CBC Picture Book of the Year in 2006 for THE SHORT AND INCREDIBLY HAPPY LIFE OF RILEY. He has been shortlisted for many other awards, including the Astrid Lindgren Award - the most prestigious children's literature prize in the world.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Colin lives in Bellingen, Australia. His books with Random House Australia include HOW TO LIVE FOREVER, numerous picture books, THE FLOODS series, THE DRAGONS series, THE BIG LITTLE BOOK OF HAPPY SADNESS picture book, which has been shortlisted for the 2009 Children’s Book Council Award for Best Picture Book, and FREE TO A GOOD HOME.

Reviews

[Justine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a richly imagined story about the power of love and imagination to transcend loss. It is presented with the uniquely superb signature style and artistry that marks all of Thompson's books. Slightly melancholy but always touched with hope, it presents its message in a simple yet layered way that requires some time and thought in order to fully appreciate and embrace.

The book is nothing short of genius.

[Julia Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

At its heart, Looking for Atlantis is about a boy's grief over the loss of his grandfather, and the power of imagination. However, this is never made explicit. We are introduced to an unnamed boy of 10 whose grandfather is dying. The man tells him that whatever the boy wants will be in Atlantis, and that he just needs to learn how to find it. The child's quest is presented in lush, gorgeous artwork, a surreal and almost magical reality styled adventure through his home and his own mind. Secrets peep out from every corner. Borders are filled with clues and surprises. Light and shadow, blendings of the common and the fantastical, comedy and tragedy, are all offered up to accompany the simple tale.

Were I to share this with a class, I would try to arrange to show it on a document camera or read it in a small group. I could also see giving it to a child to read through on their own just as a treat because the art is just that engaging.

[Tiuri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Astounding amount of details! You could look at this for months and never get bored! Surreal, intriguing artwork.

[Wren · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the good ones.
There’s a lot to look at…almost enough to last forever…and just about that much to think about as well.

[Greenglasses · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations are amazing in this book, I love them!!!

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grandfather came home with his parrot Titanic when his grandson was ten, and spent his remaining days in bed happily talking to the boy, telling him that he will be fine again when his grandson gets to Atlantis. His grandson asks his grandfather about this, saying that he thought Atlantis was just a story. His grandfather tells him that Atlantis is there, all around him, but that he has to learn how to look for it. He leaves the boy his chest, which contains everything he has collected throughout his long life. When his grandfather dies, the boy does his best to learn - and succeeds.
This book has intricately detailed illustrations, which could keep one looking for hours.

[Rebecca Hipps · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking for Atlantis demands the reader to step out reality and into the minds and imaginations of a grandfather and his grandson. The intricate and detailed paintings keep the reader looking closely and carefully. While the text is actually quite brief for the majority of the book, the pictures contain a lifetime of memories and stories. I was particularly moved by the double spread painting on the 13th opening, where Thompson contrasts the colorful, life-filled illustrations previously displayed, to the dark and dismal abyss that the main character experiences after the loss of his dear grandfather. I related to this story personally. My great grandfather was also a storyteller and always encouraged me to use my imagination and explore worlds outside of reality. Any reader that has experienced great loss will relate to this incredible story, one that chronicles the hopes and dreams that are savored when we choose to look past reality and cherish memory and imagination.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Before I checked this book out for my niece and nephew, I was positive they wouldn't like it, so I put it aside. But then I thought I should let them make their own judgments, which they could not do if I failed to give them access to this book. So, we read it.

After we read this book my niece decided that she needed to look at the book on her own and really study the pictures in order to form a better opinion about the story. So her verdict is still out.

My nephew, however needed no re-read in order to form an opinion. "I didn't like that at all! It was very annoying," he said. I wouldn't say that I was annoyed by this story, but I certainly didn't care for it. It didn't make any sense to me, and I thought it was boring, so I think the boy and I see eye to eye there. The pictures were interesting, though, and that is the only reason I am giving Looking for Atlantis two stars instead of one. Way too abstract for my nephew and me.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking for Atlantis is a post-modoern story about a young boy who's grandfather dies and he tells him to look for Atlantis. The little boy's dreams take him through his house and there are signs of Atlantis everywhere but he cannot see them. When he finally mourns and lets go he can finally see Atlantis.

This book has a lot to look at. It would take days to look at every picture and try to understand what the author was trying to say. There was also a lot of playfulness like on a barrel this is written, "OLD PRETENTIOUS" REAL ALE WITH ADDED GRIT". You can see it everywhere in the book. The illustrations are beautiful although I like color and the color is not vivid the designs are vivid. All but one of the pages are framed with a border except the next to the last page which is where he finally find Atlantis.

I enjoyed this book and I plan on reading it many times.

[Molly Mardany · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are so many different things going on in these pictures that it is hard to grasp where the main focus is. It is almost a collage of pictures. This book is anything but realistic, and it takes a lot of imagination to get into it. There is a page where they leave all reality, through the Grandfathers chest, off into the sea. But it doesn't go off into another world it has some of the pretend world mixed in with reality, which is kind of confusing. If you look hard enough and with a pure heart, you will find paradise.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Published in 1993 (25yrs old) I feel this book remains timeless and relevant. The artwork is fantastic and while reading the story, time can be spent on each page finding the treasures hidden within.

[Theodore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so incredibly beautiful, it deals with grief and imagination and childhood, through these amazingly detailed illustrations and story.
I've read this book many many times throughout my life.
My mother used to sit with me and my sister and read it to us while we pointed out all the little details on each page;
the sharks teeth hidden in the suitcase, the hills and farmland growing on a patchwork duvet, the creatures under the bathtub, the toy train running through the chimney and the little boy searching all the while for Atlantis.

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although a picture book, language a little hard for a beginner and the protagonist is aged 10. Mainly about the loss of a grandfather, but there is the ‘search’ for the magical place of Atlantis. Illustrations both colourful and intricate, with many details to find all sorts of interesting things, all one has to do, is look.

[T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Visually riveting. This book is awesome for any age. It has been read and reread for over five years now. Visually addicting for adults, and visually engaging for ages 4 and up. The storyline is gorgeous. Love!

[Darya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Історії про те, як хтось шукав-шукав і таки знайшов чудеса прямо посеред буденного життя, мають здатність потрапляти мені "прямо в серденько" безкінечну кількість разів, хоч би скільки цей базовий сюжет не переказували.
Ця - ще й неймовірно прекрасно промальована, чи навіть насамперед її цінність і її здатність натякати на чудесне посеред буденного саме в тому і полягає, як вона прекрасно промальована. Впевнена, що якщо отримати в руки паперову версію і як слід її порозглядати, там ще багато чого потішить. (Я дивилась оцифровану на archive.org)

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorites in my youth...this was one of the very first ever books given to me, at my one-month red egg party. Colin Thompson had adventure awaiting me and the rest of my generation in this classic fantasy world of magic and mystery.

[Kaliah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely a 5 star! It was such a good book. Just the right length too. I wish this was a series of there were more like it. I want to read it again.

[Douglas Beagley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Art that works harder than it needs to, a scant few lines of text, a beautiful, simple mystery. I saw myself in this book, a perfectly delivered reminder.

[Joseph Shea · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book talks about a grandfather who is dying and his grandson is stricken with grief as the grandfather tells him that anything he wants will be in Atlantis. He tells his grandson that he needs to find it and the grandfather dies which turns into a tragedy. The boy then goes in his imagination throughout his house to find the mystery of Atlantis and goes on a quest to find Atlantis and get what he wants. The book shows great illustrations with great imagination and great creativity which shows the illustrations pointing out to different things while exploring for Atlantis. The boy looks for the chest and he will get what he wants as his grandfather stated to him before his death. I thought the book was awesome and I would definitely recommend this book to children of all ages as children would want to know what Atlantis is and what is the mystery behind Atlantis. I loved the book and it was great reading the actual story.

[Morgan Leech · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was really enjoyable to read, because it really forces you to use your imagination as a reader. It tells the story of a young boy who learns from his grandfather the secret of imagination; to "shut your eyes and open your heart". His grandfather leaves him a few things behind, most importantly, a chest, where the boy finds a door to another world lying on the bottom. This text is rich with compound words. It also is filled with extremely realistic illustrations that captivate and engage the reader. It would be a perfect book for children in elementary school.

[Randy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was floored by the surreal illustrations and their tiny details, but it's presumptuous to say this book is for everyone. The melancholy tone begs for more "plot," and many details elude to literature some readers might not be familiar with, and so not recognize the satire (which counteracts the melancholy tone). For me, six stars for the illustrations, three stars for the story, and round up to five stars for the X-factor: an imagination theme that encourages imagination as a powerful skill to deal with life.

[Lana Clifton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young boy learns from his grandfather the secret of imagination; to "shut your eyes and open your heart". His grandfather leaves behind a chest, where the boy finds a door to another world lying on the bottom. This text is rich with compound words. Surrealistic illustrations captivate and engage the mind. Good for students 1st-3rd grade.

[The Brothers · Rating 5 out of 5]

A young boy's grandfather is old and dying. The grandfather gives him his chest with all the treasures of the years he was a pirate and tries to teach him how to find Atlantis. The grandfather dies and the young boy searches and searches for Atlantis. Eventually he realizes what his grandfather was trying to teach him.

Fabulous illustrations - so much to look at and beautiful!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing illustrations - My Oliver & I could sit & share this together for hours if we allowed the time. We discover something new everytime. He is currently doing his reading project at school on this book. A true favourite !

[GoldenjoyBazyll · Rating 4 out of 5]

What can be more wonderful than the power of the imagination.... this book celebrates all that is and all that can be.

[Taylor Hughson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been reading this book for close on 15 years now, and still don't quite understand where atlantis is...

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best children's book ever!

[Heather Lincoln · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good read because it forces you to use your imagination. I liked the story line about the adventurous grandfather and his journey. I recommend this book to 1st-3rd grader.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

We love love love the illustrations. We have had this book out of the library over and over until we finally bought a copy.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gets five stars for the illustrations alone. The story is as thought provoking as you'd expect from Colin Thompson.