MY DEAR SEA

Inspired by a trip to the seashore with his 4-year-old daughter, Carrilho contemplates the marvels of the ocean in this Portuguese import.

A light-skinned, dark-haired, big-eyed child excitedly rushes through the sand, flinging off her flip-flops and coverup. Her father warns her to respect the sea as an unruly wave looms. Will she ride the waves or “sink like a stone”? Expertly rendered watercolorlike illustrations accompany the child’s musings on the sea. It can be both formidable and wonderful; its waves ruin the girl’s sand castles, but when the tide goes out, she finds rocks, pebbles, and other treasures to collect. The young narrator observes marine wildlife, considers historical beliefs about the sea and the monsters that supposedly lurked within its depths, and laments the effects of pollution. Carrilho’s compositions vary, from loose, playfully rendered linework to dramatic, saturated washes of color—a testament to the multifaceted nature of the sea. Ultimately, the little girl reveals ways both whimsical (drawing a picture in the sand) and practical (picking up trash) to show her appreciation for her new friend. The rhythm and rhyme are slightly awkward, possibly due to translation issues—or perhaps to reflect a child’s realistically exuberant stream of consciousness. Either way, the direct, simple ideas and the beautifully imaginative artwork result in an affirming tale.

A unique, delightful oceanic ode.