This is an extraordinarily luminescent children's picture book, The Big Big Sea, written by Martin Waddell, illustrated by Jennifer Eachus. The very first words draw you in immediately, as if the author had reached out, taken you by the hand, and led you right down to the sea in the dark:
Mama said, "Let's go!" So we went . . .
The illustrations are done with colored pencils, although it is very hard not to feel that they are photographs, Jennifer Eachus has so completely captured this little girl, the sea, the seashore, and the moon, and other details throughout, like the mother's hands in the very last picture.
The story is told by the little girl, with only the words that she would have used herself, and every word is so sweetly simple, direct, innocent.
Martin Waddell is pitch-perfect in putting this story into her child's voice.
"and I saw . . . THE MOON."
"I went right in to the shiny bit."
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We are told on the author/artist page that the book's setting is near Martin Waddell's home "where the mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea" in Northern Ireland.
The artist Jennifer Eachus traveled there to see what the author was writing about. She even made sure that she went when the moon was full. I am touched beyond words that the artist took the time to honor the author's words in such a wonderful way. Her illustrations are a glowing tribute.
The back cover says "Age 3 and up," but I really think it could say age 2 and up. You can read some Amazon customer reviews here. A simply beautiful book. It is a big, big sea experience in itself, but it is also a perfect bedtime picture book, too.
I hope you will give it a try! And have a lovely, big, big weekend!
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