ALA Booklist (Thu Nov 01 00:00:00 CDT 2018)

When a sad and lonely child is in a purple mood, what's there to do? Go up the stairs, look out across the bay, and get ready to explore "The Isle of You." Here a sailboat is steered by a yellow elephant. An animal welcoming committee offers boundless possibilities: hunt for treasure, soar on an eagle's back, or pick an outfit to wear in the castle's Hall of Costumes. There's entertainment and a banquet of sweet treats. When the moon whispers it's time to head home, a hot-air balloon travels through the twinkling night sky to a place where "someone loves you very, very, very much." Every page is a double spread of delights in full color, incorporating pastel watercolors added digitally. Children will love the carnival and castle environments, the roller-skating polar bears in tutus, and the friendly animal playmates. It's a dreamland of wonders, a perfect isle to comfort angry or sorrowful moments in a child's day.

Horn Book (Mon Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2019)

After a "hard day," a sad child is whisked away to a dreamland where wonderful entertainment is in store. The unnamed narrator calls the place the "Isle of You," a purposeful play on "I love you" and the narrator's final message to the soothed child. The frolicsome wish-fulfillment combined with Kim's dreamy, candy-colored illustrations makes this story, like the Isle, an appealing escape from reality.

Kirkus Reviews

The voice of an omniscient narrator, who may or may not be a caregiver, speaks directly to an unhappy child with an invitation to a very special place.The child follows directions to the beautiful title isle "just across the bay." Ferried across by a toy elephant in a sailboat, the child is given an enthusiastic welcome by more adorable animals and some other children. The little one swims in a waterfall, rides a giant eagle, relaxes in a hammock, and happily engages with some of the other children. Several of the activities are stereotypically girl-associated, and the other children appear to be girls with varying skin tones and hair textures; the little protagonist has light skin and a brown pageboy and is only suggested as female. After elaborate entertainments and a sweet feast, the child is assured that "someone loves you very, very, very much" before being borne safely home. Deep purple, bright pastel pink, and yellow watercolors dominate the color palette, creating a magical, otherworldly atmosphere. But it is also somewhat creepy as well. The Isle of You exists only for the protagonist's happiness, even the other children there, who appear to have no existence in the real world. Apparently intended to build self-esteem and comfort, it seems to encourage self-centeredness instead, as does the ending play on the pronunciation of the title words.Treacle drips from every page. Find self-esteem elsewhere. (Picture book. 2-4)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

LaRochelle (Moo!) and Kim (La La La) have created the picture book equivalent of a guided visualization. Their protagonist, a child of indeterminate gender, broods in bed, gripping a pillow for comfort. -Are you feeling sad?/ Lonely?/ Maybe even a little angry?- the unseen narrator says, striking a soothing, even tone that persists throughout. -I know the perfect place to go.- And indeed, the Isle of You, a fantasyland bathed in light that gradually shifts from soft yellows and pinks to deep blues and purples, has nigh everything a kid could want: a castle and monorail, a bird who-s happy to act as a private airplane, and a tight-knit group of welcoming human and animal friends. The child is free to chill or cavort in hammock, waterfall pool, or air balloon until the world feels benevolent again. Readers who prefer to feel through their funks may find this tactic minimizing, but those with a stubborn case of weltschmerz should welcome the calming sojourn. Illustrator-s agent: Claire Easton, Painted Words. Ages 3-7. (Dec.)

School Library Journal (Thu Nov 01 00:00:00 CDT 2018)

PreS-Gr 2 An unnamed narrator asks a young and distressed-looking girl a series of questions about her feelings and experiences. The narrator proceeds to invite her into a lovely dream worldthe Isle of Youwhich seems to emerge outside her bedroom window. There she sees a castle, sails with an elephant, and enjoys various adventures with other animal friends. The young girl is showered with friendship, gifts, and fanciful experiences. Kim's watercolors, done in a whimsical folk artstyle, uses bright pastel shades to capture a magical world. The lovely washes of blue, presence of fluffy clouds, and twinkling lights also add elements of fantasy to the illustrations. The artwork adeptly bridges reality with the imagined world. The stuffed animals depicted in the girl's room are represented as live animal friends in her dream world. Throughout, the narrator's questions and suggestions have a peaceful and calming effect and add an interactive layer to the tale. VERDICT A wonderful depiction of the power of imagination that encourages young children to look inwardly when faced with life challenges. A strong choice for most shelves. Deanna Smith, Pender County Public Library, NC