Media Reviews
New Zealand Herald - Camilla During
"TOP PICK!" New Zealand Children's picture books 2007
If you're looking to fill a few Christmas stockings, here are my picks of some of the best children's reads of the year. For the littlies there is Cork on the Ocean written by Mark Sommerset and sparingly illustrated by Rowan. Like many successful books ostensibly aged at the younger generation, it works on more than one level. Parents will have great fun reading this adventure to their youngsters.
Herald on Sunday - Sarah Moore
"Rich with metaphor, Cork is a touching tale of camaraderie, taking the good with the bad, and about the voyage one makes before finding one's soul-mate. Told in clever rhyming verse (somewhat Seuss-like), this is a beautifully produced New Zealand book with unique illustrations and an utterly charming storyline: certainly a book to be treasured. 5 stars!"
Upstart Magazine - Geraldine (age 11)
This is a truly wonderful book. It is beautifully written - quirky, but graceful... I love the way the aqua blue sea runs through the middle of the pages and how the cork and all of the other creatures of the ocean have been sketched then roughly coloured in. My sister, aged 7, thought the cork was really 'cute'. We both really liked this book and gave it 5 out of 5!
www.littleboystoys.co.nz - Jo Couchman
This is the most beautifully written and illustrated book about the adventures of a cork on the ocean. It reads like poetry and seems to cast a spell over the boys when I read it to them. They especially love the flying fish, the shark from the deep, the octopus and the mermaid riding a dolphin of glass. The illustrations are simple yet perfectly capture the movement of the waves.
Waikato Times - Sarah Laird
"You're never supposed to judge a book by it's cover but you can't help it with this one... Beautifully illustrated... enchantingly philosophical... this story explores friendship, life and love. Written as rhythmically as the sea itself, children will love this rhyming tale as much as adults will enjoy telling it... a book that will definitely be a treasure to all those who discover it."
National Radio - John McIntyre
"Quirky, romantic, philosophical, zen-like... It reminds me, in terms of message anyway, of 'Oh the places you'll go' by Dr Seuss - a sort-of realise your potential book - only the theme of this story seems to be more about friendship, perhaps love, cooperation and how we touch other people as we move through life... a cleverly constructed story of essential wisdoms with drop-dead beautiful illustrations... absolutely delightful!"
Marlborough Express - Helen Hill
This is a beautifully produced book and while Rowan's illustrations might not appeal to everyone, I found their minimalist simplicity a perfect accompaniment for Sommerset's beautifully sophisticated rhyming story... Cork on the Ocean is a multi-layered story that will appeal to readers of many ages. It is rich in metaphor and contains a huge amount of wisdom, but it is also an adventure that will leave readers with an opportunity ask 'where to from here?'
Reader Comments
"Hi Mark and Rowan,I came across Cork on the Ocean when i was staying in New Zealand. When i picked up your book i was captivated and read it the whole way through and I still to this day think its the most beautiful book i've ever read :) thank you very, very much for writing it and bringing so much joy to my life! i was very excited to see you had another book and i cannot wait to receive it here in the UK. I will continue to read your book to every class I have and enjoy watching them all bob up and down along with the rhythm of the words :)" Holly - Gwynedd, UK
"Dear Mark and Rowan. While Holidaying in New Zealand I came across your book. I was immediately attracted to the cover and illustration; the story line and message grabbed me from there. It's such a wonderful piece. Thank you for your beautiful and heartfelt story!" Katie - San Diego, California
"Hi there, I first met Cork at a friends house and soon had about 8 children around me listening enthralled. It is a gorgeous book and one I intend to buy over and over again for various birthdays and christmas presents. To find a New Zealand picture book so beautifully written and illustrated that appeals to children and adults alike is a real treat." Sarah - Auckland, NZ
"Hi, a friend of mine got a copy of Cork on the Ocean for my god daughter and I just thought it was the most beautiful book ever! i absolutely love the words - they are all just so true, think it just sends an amazing message to kids. I wanted some of my friends to have a copy too, so I bought three more. They will think the book is amazing too. beautiful work!! Thanks." Abbie - Auckland, NZ
"I'm always on the lookout for good presents for my friends' kids, so I grabbed a copy of Cork on the Ocean for a friends daughter. My friend moved to Switzerland and in the meantime I had my own kids and loved the book so much that I wanted a copy of my own! I think it is great, I practically know if off by heart and my twin girls are only 6 months old! Cheers." Amanda - Melbourne, Australia
"Hello. Your beautiful book was sent to me by my sister living outside Auckland for my child's 2nd birthday. I have actually purchased 2 more as presents. One is for an adult who is moving on to pastures new in his life and I felt the book has so many themes relevant. Sometimes the most poignant messages can be found in the simplest of stories. I must admit to crying several times when I read it! I think adults gain as much from your beautiful book as children do. I will be a lifelong fan and will order the sequel at some point. With thanks for bringing some serenity and beauty in a turbulent world! This really should be made into a film like the Snowman was... :)" Melissa - Dorset, England
"I want to congratulate you on your beautiful book - it is truly heart-warming. I liked it so much I bought three copies - one for myself and one each for two close girlfriends who have just had little boys. I am sure they will love it as much as I do. I'm looking forward to the next Cork adventures! Thanks again for creating such a wonderful book." Melinda - NZ
"I think your book is wonderful - lovely lyrical language; neat messages for kids about facing challenges, helping each other and a really clever ending. The main character is very cute, quirky and likeable and the illustrations are excellent - very stylish and whimsical. Look forward to your next one!" Sally - NZ
"Hi There. I recently visited New Zealand from the UK and found cork on the ocean in a cafe called "The Funky Fish". I loved the book so much I spent a day of may holiday in search of a copy and found the last one in a shop in Dargaville. It's a wonderful book, I truly love it and it lifts my spirits whenever I look at it - thank you. The website says that cork in the ocean is the first of 3 books - where do I find the others?? I'm pleased the website has links to book shops - I intend to buy copies for everyone I care for! Thanks again for cork, he's lovely! Best wishes." Zoe - UK
"I love this book! I'm and Ex-pat working in the USA here. My Aunty sent this book over for my daughter. I am not sure who loves it more - me or her. Thank you!" Oliver - Minnesota, USA
"With delightful rhyme and enchanted drawings, this journey of discovery takes the reader on a lovely trip across the ocean as Cork meets new Friends and in turn finds out about itself... a truly memorable and beautiful children's story that will enchant kids and adults alike." Richard Taylor - WETA Workshop, NZ
"I bought your wonderful book for my son, which he loves, especially the shark. I personally love the message of your book and hope Jacob grows up understanding that message too!" Miriam - Southland, NZ
"Hi there, I bought your picture book Cork in the Ocean last Friday while on holiday in Napier. I read it to my Year 8 class today and they all clapped at the end. We have had a great discussion about it as a lead into our picture book unit. Many thanks for a wonderfully warm and thought provoking book. I look forward to the next one. PS - My staff now want their own copy!!! Debbie - St Peter's School, Cambridge, NZ
"Just wanted to let you know how much I adore the Cork On The Ocean. I first read the book when I was working for the local Library, and had to buy a copy for myself! I love the happy little cork, and read it often when I'm in the middle of exams or assignments as a way to make me smile :) Thanks heaps, and keep up the great work!" Megan - NZ
"Dear Mark and Rowan. Cork on the ocean was a cool book and it really made me want to be an author and the illustrations were amazing. Hope you right some more like it." Lane - Auckland, NZ
"An exciting and uplifting adventure. The more my daughter and I read it the more we see... we love it!" Barbara Kendall - Olympic Champion, NZ
"A drop dead gorgeous book." Geoff Blackwell - PQ Publishing, NZ and creator of M.I.L.K.
"Cork on the Ocean is a great book and has become a bed-time favourite of the whole family. My wife and I read it to the kids each night. Everyone sees something different in it." Ken - Marlborough, NZ
"I have been reading Cork on the Ocean to a class of Five year olds. They were very attentive with the boys loving the shark and the girls the butterfly. I also read it to a group of special needs 8 year olds. It kept their attention (not everything does!) and they enjoyed it. The illustrations are lovely - it's a really nice book to share." Jenny - teacher, Geurnsey, UK
"Wonderful! The whole family loves Cork on the Ocean. The little cork with the big heart and huge personality - I love his optimism!" Sarah - Auckland, NZ
"Just a quick note to say Cork is our new hero. Luved it. U have captured somthing so special with this little character & all his new wonderful friends. Cheers for creating somthing so powerful with somthing so simple. We forget so often how simple life can be. With out the downs we just cant experience the beauty of the ups. All about balance. Stunning illustration - beautiful story man. We cant wait to catch up with Cork & bottle on their next adventure. Signing off Two Dreadlock hippies visiting Waiheke. Cher." Jeff - Auckland, NZ
"Hi 5 to you guys! I stumbled across your book the other day in Look Gallery in Christchurch. Loved it. Bought it. Will get more too because it will make a fantastic gift to those who will really appreciate it's beauty. Can't wait for the next one!" Tony - Christchurch, NZ
"Greetings O Corky Ones. I was on the hunt for some good NZ books for a little person who is not yet born - so I wandered off to the University Bookshop and planted myself on the floor in the children's book section and dug through the treasures for sale. I came upon Cork on the Ocean and fell in love immediately - just the sort of positive, wonderful and philosophical treasure I was looking for. Only problem is... I don't want to give it away... I'll have to go buy another one so I can spread the joy - but I'm keeping this one... because big people like picture books too (perhaps especially ex-librarians!). Thank you for your gem!" Manja - Christchurch, NZ
"Hi there. This is just a quick question to ask if the cork on the ocean books will be coming out in the UK.... I live in Scotland but we have family in Auckland they sent a copy of cork on the ocean to my daughter. It's a fantastic book - great story - we both absolutely love it... it's a book that I would like to buy for my friends children and would also like to keep up with the story.... please, please bring the books out in the UK! thanx loads." Louise - UK
"We liked the story because it was funny and the cork made lots of friends on his adventure, the cork was very helpful to his friends, our whole class liked your book. Our teacher loved it as well. The cork was very kind to his friends, some of the corks friends were helpful to him like the Whale and the Pelican because they helped them travel across the sea and get to land to find the right fit for the cork like the bottle." Brodie - Auckland, NZ
"Hi. I've just read your book to my three and two year old boys and we all loved it. We read loads and loads of books together and this one I thought was just delightful so thank you and well done." Cushla - NZ
Great to meet you on that first day of spring.... I read your book this morning over breakie and loved it - found myself floating in thought and contemplation. My friend's daughter Sophie will love it I know, and I wonder if she will be able to read more and more between the lines, as she grows, having many adventures and journeys in her life. Tania - Auckland, NZ
"We here at Te Akau ki Papamoa Primary School are truly enjoying the messages in your book 'Cork on the Ocean' which has been added to our school library. This book is especially enjoyed by our junior school pupils and fits nicely with our Environmental Schools focus here at Te Akau ki." David - Te Akau ki Papamoa Primary School, NZ
"Dear Mark and Rowan. Cork on the Ocean was a great book and I love the illustrations. You have got great rhyme and rythem. Now I really want to be an author. I love your books and look foward to see some more new great books." Logan - NZ
"Hi. Just loved Cork on the Ocean - one of the most, if not the most, beautiful children's book I've ever read. Illustrations were outstanding as well - perfect compliment. I was amazed that this was your first effort to be published. Well, you've got true talent. Speaking as an aspiring children's writer, as far as I'm concerned you've set the bar. All the best for number two. PS. My three year old loves it too! Cheers" Carolyn - NZ
"Three years ago, while I was studying abroad in New Zealand, I fell in love with a girl named Jenny. I wanted to buy her a gift for her birthday, so I went to the local bookstore and found "Cork on the Ocean" on display. It was perfect - a story about an eager traveller from far away lands who finds the perfect-fit companion to keep him company. I read it to her and it was our story from then on.
I write this from Australia now, overjoyed to discover there's a second (and soon, third!) part to this adventure. Jenny and I have both moved here to be together after three years of being apart (finishing up our degrees). In some ways, this move feels like our own second instalment of the story. I've just now ordered "Cork and Bottle," and cannot wait to read it to her like I did the first time in New Zealand. In a few months, I'm moving back to the US for grad school while Jenny stays here in Australia. Separated by an ocean again, she and I will tell ourselves once more that "alone is a myth" and find comfort in the charming voyages of the cork. Thank you so much for continuing to write and illustrate these stories. I hope that by the time the third book is ready, Jenny and I will find ourselves reading it together, in the same place, with many of our own stories to tell."
Sean - California, USA
"The kids and my family love the book:) My Dad (a primary school teacher) read 'Cork on the Ocean' in assembly as part of national book day. Your writing has reached the UK and supplied a wave of enjoyment!" Liam - UK
"I have loved reading Cork on the Ocean and the rhymes very much. After coming back to Japan, I have trying to translate the story into Japanese in order to introduce it to my son. It was so difficult a task for my English ability, which needs a special talent and inspiration to translate. It is much joy for me to know that Cork is traveling along in the world giving his sincere and keen heart to happen-to-meet people in the midst of his own difficulties. Thank you!" Sophia - Japan
"I just have to let you know my 2yr old boy absolutely LOVES Cork in the Ocean... he pretty much knows all the words and can finish the sentences as I read it to him EVERY night at least 3 times (his demands). It's a beautiful story and cant wait to get my hands on the new one...thank you so much for sharing your talents. Brandy" - Auckland, NZ
"Thank you so much for bringing the cork into our world. We stumbled across Cork and the Ocean while visiting my parents in Auckland. My 4 year old was so taken by your book he decided to 'write' Cork and the Bottle by himself. Here is his version (sorry about the morbid ending!): 'The cork and the bottle go over big waves. They go through bad weather and nice weather. They sink until it gets darker and darker. They get eaten by a big fish' Cork and the Ocean has become one of our favourite bedtime stories for our 4 and 2 year old boys. We can't wait to get our hands on Cork and the Bottle! Your words and pictures are truly beautiful!!" Bonnie - North Vancouver, Canada