Review of “Yuki Star of the Sea” by Don Bluth

Score: 96/100 (9.6 out of 10)

Yuki Star of the Sea is a brilliantly-illustrated, heartwarming, and brilliant children's book by the legendary Don Bluth!

Don Bluth is among the most significant and influential American animators in the history of film and entertainment. You may be familiar with some of his works: The Land Before Time, American Tail, The Secret of NIMH, All Dogs Go to Heaven, and Anastasia (among others)!

So, you might be surprised to learn that this legend in creating animated films for children has never published a children's book... UNTIL NOW!

Yuki Star of the Sea was crafted with a lot the same heart, soul, passion, and genuine care that personified his iconic, unforgettable films. On the inside flap, we're told right off the bat that Bluth set out to create his fist children's book with the intention “[t]o draw, write and paint the whole story himself” and that the book is “painted fully traditional using gouche paint.”

How about that?

In a world oversaturated and overrun with cut corners, AI-generated art, pre-rendered models, and cell-shading technology, there's something extra special about handcrafted, hand-drawn, and hand-painted works like Yuki Star of the Sea. We saw it earlier with two grand-prize-winning OCA winners: Bentley Fantabulous Idea by Miki Taylor (illustrated by Eunhye Shin) and Ellie’s Masterclass by Melissa Kahl (illustrated by the author). There's just something very special and magical when an illustrator takes the time and energy to draw every line and paint every stroke of the brush by hand, especially a very skilled one.

Bluth is a very skilled one, as well as an extremely experienced, creative, and imaginative one!
Few can do it better than the man, the myth, the legend himself!

It takes foresight and command of the content to know where text can go on each page of illustration—knowing that the text must be legible yet not distracting or disruptive of the flow of the story or take away from the shine of the characters or the luster of the background.

Don Bluth gets it.
He just does.
He knows what works and what doesn't. Reading this book is like seeing a true master at work.

Anyway, let's dive into this aquatic adventure!

This book follows Yuki, a young, adventurous Orca (killer-whale) who defies Mama Orca's warning not to venture too close to the shore. So, this book somewhat serves as a cautionary tale for children to obey their parents because they know what's best and want them to be safe.

As you might expect, Yuki learns this lesson the hard way as he's captured by a human ship close to the shore.

His friends, his mother, and the other Orca are horrified by Yuki's disappearance and fear what may become of him. We couldn't help but be reminded of American Tail, Finding Nemo, or even The Little Mermaid, but almost as an homage or tribute—as if to nudge the audience: Remember when animation was truly magical?

This whole book reads like a love-letter to Bluth's fans and fans of traditional animation in general.

Back to the story... Thankfully,one of Yuki's crustacean/sea friends, Jake the Shrimp, is familiar with where Yuki is being taken, and it's not all doom and gloom after all. Jake tells his friends and the readers that Yuki has been taken in by a large aquarium in Mexico akin to Sea World! He's actually expected to be a star attraction at the aquarium, being taught to perform all sorts of tricks and get all the attention he could ever want!

Indeed, Yuki becomes the “center attraction” and star of the entire aquarium. People come from all around to see him perform.

However, the book takes a dramatic turn when Hollywood becomes privy to Yuki's fame and wants in on the action!

This book can almost be taken as a metaphor or allegory for Bluth's own rise from relative obscurity to super stardom in his industry, being scouted and recruited by “colossal studios” like Disney to create for them.

The Colossal Studio from Hollywood wants to make bank (turn a profit) on Yuki at all cost. They manufacture a movie for Yuki called “Nellie McGee” which is specifically designed to be emotionally-riveting and “make the crowd sob” over the character's desire to be free.

Ironically, Yuki's own lack of freedom becomes takes front and center in the story as he yearns to be free and to “go home.”

What's extra interesting (and meta) is that it's the film itself that helps Yuki to realize that he has been deprived of his freedom.

And it's not just Yuki who is touched by the film, but also children around the world who've seen it and get to know Yuki from the media. They wonder why Yuki, the actual Orca, isn't free like his movie counterpart.

One little girl in particular takes this to heart and begins a movement of writing letters and drawings for Yuki to be free, apparently sending them to the Colossal Studio and its seemingly ruthless boss. The outcry becomes so great that the studio is forced to act!

Now, this is actually a lot more special than it sounds on the surface. The studio boss is portrayed as not a good or nice man. In fact, he's portrayed as selfish, ruthless, and money-hungry just like his studio. However, even he can't ignore the public outcry, especially that of the children.

What does this say about children? It's actually empowering! It's a reminder that they have a voice, power, and a purpose! They can be the change they want to see in the world—they can make the change! They can push for it.

All of this leads to Yuki becoming the first-ever flying whale!

What a book! Now, the ending did seem a little rushed, clunky, and awkward, but we're not going to hold it against Bluth too much. 99% of this book is incredible. The text is song-like and rhythmic. The story has a distinct beat and a magical charm that's unique to Bluth.

Furthermore, the central characters are magnificent and wonderful.

Check it out on Amazon!