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The Sea of Sleep

by Warren Hanson
32p. 978-0-43969-735-4.
COPY ISBN
PreS-Gr 2—This plot-free bedtime story follows an otter and its mother on a journey in the Sea of Sleep. They see the moon, myriad examples of marine life, and the personified sea herself, "Old. And wise. And kind." Hanson's musician roots show in the text, which reads very much like lyrics, including a repeating chorus. While young audiences may not grasp all of the abstract concepts, they will appreciate the lilting, poetic language. The illustrations are done in restful blues and purples befitting a bedtime story. They serve to ground the text as LaMarche aptly portrays the sea "cradling" the otters and the moon sharing the waters with them, along with more concrete concepts. Sweet dreams.—Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH
A mother sea otter cradles her pup against her chest as they fall sleep atop the calm ocean waters. The quiet refrain: "Drifting. Floating. Lightly gliding / On the Sea of Sleep tonight. / Rocking. Swaying. Slowly sailing / On toward morning light." The lyrical bedtime story, suitably illustrated with soft purples and blues, is a little ethereal for the audience.
Reviewed by Catherine Callegari , Dec 01, 2010

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