A FIRST BOOK OF THE SEA

Waves, tides, sands, oh my!

More than 50 poems, some rhyming and some providing punchy tidbits of information, make up this exuberant collection, which is divided into four themed sections: “Down by the Shore,” “Journeys,” “Under the Sea,” and “Wonders.” Each section includes a group of (mostly) short verses that illuminate the delightful experience of being in, under, or near the ocean. The poems shimmer with vivid imagery and sparkling language as they extol carefree activities such as swimming, beachcombing, surfing, building a sand castle, observing sundry aquatic creatures in and out of the water, sailing, and discovering the fun to be had on a pier. Additionally, there are poems about exploring, deriving sustenance and livelihood from the sea, and identifying ships and nautical knots. They’re lovely as both read-alouds and pieces to memorize. The lively watercolors drive the poems, and many, together with accompanying poems, expand across two-page spreads. The charming artwork is awash in blue and other magical sea colors and teems with realistic details, movement, and life; note a jaw-dropping gatefold of a humpback whale with instructions on singing a humpback’s “song.” Sea life is depicted in an amazing variety of forms; humans are shown as diverse in skin tone, hair color, size, and age.

As in the sea, there’s something in this volume’s abundance for most everyone, and it will amply reward repeat visitors, who will benefit from its largesse.