The Big Big Sea [Paperback]

Martin Waddell (Author), Jennifer Eachus (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 6, 1998 | Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up

With unforgettable silver-washed images and gentle, flowing words that evoke a mood as only Martin Waddell can do, "The Big Big Sea" portrays a bond between parent and child that makes even the dark sea safe and serene.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A girl and her mother wade in the sea by moonlight. This peaceful first-person narrative is simply told and its illustrations are dark and misty, yet joyful. Ages 3-up.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1-Waddell's fluid, rhythmic text meshes with Eachus's luminescent colored-pencil illustrations to form a stunning, moonlit mother/daughter jaunt to the beach. Silver-edged, often backlit, almost impressionistic images form just the right magical touch to convey both the big and small picture. The parent/child relationship depicted is especially rewarding. The mother is caught up in her daughter's serendipitous behavior-splashing, making footprints-but always allows it to be the child's experience while she provides safety, stability, and serenity. From the first exuberant run into the waves to the final warm, exhausted sleep on Mama's lap, "I'll always remember just Mama and me and the night that we walked by the big big sea." The large format and spare narrative insure success with a group, but the intimate nature of the story demands special one-on-one reading.
Claudia Cooper, Ft. Stockton Independent School District, TX
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick (January 6, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0763602825
• ISBN-13: 978-0763602826
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.5 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,795,967 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Martin Waddell is the Hans Christian Andersen Medal winner 2004 and two-time Smarties Prize winner. Among his many books for children are the Little Bear and Farmer Duck series. Martin lives in Newcastle in County Down.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful!, November 13, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Big Big Sea (Paperback)

My 18 month old son has loved this storybook for several months now. There aren't too many words on the page (1-4 sentences) and they have a nice rhythm to them, and the paintings are so magical. It really captures the feeling of the magic of the ocean at night. He loves to point out the moon and the beach and the mountains which are "far far away, right around the bay." It's definitely his favorite storybook.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Mama Said Let's Go...", November 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Big Big Sea (Paperback)

"so we went..."Our family has memorized this wonderful book. My toddler son loves the realistic illustrations. The moonlight and the water make for a beautiful memory for this little girl and her mama. With short sentences and brief text, it's perfect for a 2-year-old. Heartily and highly recommended!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful journey, January 12, 2006

By 

adovelikeboy "CJF" (Seattle) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Big Big Sea (Hardcover)

I love this book. The prose is simple and lyrical. The near monochrome illustrations are beautiful and complement the text perfectly. And the setting - Murlough, Co Down, Ireland, near the author's home - is gorgeous. I have to confess that it's my home too. The walk that the mother and daughter take, through the dunes to the sea, begins at a point no more than 400 yards from the house where I grew up.

Even if it weren't such a sentimental favorite for me I'd still recommend it strongly. The simple story and the drawings and the calm meter of the evocative prose make it perfect bedtime reading. Both my children loved it even before they knew the area as Granny's Big Big Sea.