There is so much to listen to by the sea, and children can learn the
sounds of the sea when reading By the Sea. The ears of seaside residents and visitors are on alert from their
waking moment. Foghorns give an early preview of the sounds to come. Water makes all kinds of noise, depending on what’s happening in the picture
- lapping, even ker-splatting! One thing does remain silent in the book, and the industrious crabs on the beach give a hint to what that quiet means.
Not only do children learn the noises of the sea; they see what sea life is about. Fishing takes place on the sea. Different boats can be seen on the water, and they make different noises. Sails snap on a sailboat, but those moans and shrieks are coming from the seagulls and the docks. Surprising noises abound
- children will learn dogs are not the only animals that
bark. Except for the fisherman grumbling at the sea because of his poor catch, most sounds
are happy and pleasant to the ear.
Attractive, colorful illustrations complete this seaside book. Marble-y effects are used in the illustrations, as if the tides went in and back out, taking little pieces of color from the pictures. Very effective,
very original. And those little red crabs are a joy to see in the book.
With original picks for descriptive seaside words and fun pictures, this book will be read by children and parents again and again, especially those who
have missed the water for too long.