The Sea Of Sleep [Hardcover]

Warren Hanson (Author), Jim Lamarche (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2010 | Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up

A mesmerizing voyage into the nighttime sea--with spectacular, affecting paintings by bestselling artist Jim LaMarche and bestselling author Warren Hansen!


Baby Otter is sleepy after a long day of play. Now he cuddles in his mama's arms as calm, silvery waters rock him gently toward sleep.
But there are many wondrous things to see before he gets there. They drift past leaping dolphins and schools of swimming fish. And there's the loving, beaming moon, who rests her friendly face on the water's sparkling surface. All the while, jewel-like stars light their way as they glide through the night toward morning.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

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. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

About the Author

Warren Hanson is an artist, writer, speaker, and musician. He is the author of the bestselling book The Next Place (1997), and the illustrator of Tom Hegg's classic A Cup of Christmas Tea and the Peef series. Warren is a native of Yankton, South Dakota, and now lives in Houston, Texas.

Jim LaMarche is an award-winning illustrator of many beloved books, including The Rainbabies, which earned him international acclaim. He also illustrated The Carousel and Albert, which were both named New York Times Best Illustrated Books. He lives with his family in Santa Cruz, California.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Press (September 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0439697352
• ISBN-13: 978-0439697354
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 11.6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #633,732 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Warren Hanson is the author/illustrator of some of the nation's most beloved books. He continues that tradition with the release of his newest book, DEAR ME.

DEAR ME is a collection of letters, written back and forth between the younger you and the older you. In these touching, funny, revealing letters, you will surely see the you that you used to be, and the you that you may become one day.

Warren is well-known as the illustrator of Tom Hegg's classic A CUP OF CHRISTMAS TEA and PEEF books, as well as author and illustrator of THE NEXT PLACE, OLDER LOVE, KIKI'S HATS, PAW PRINTS IN THE STARS, TODAY'S SPECIAL, and many more books that have delighted and touched readers for many years.

For Kindle, Warren has published DAWN OF THE DORK, a funny novel of getting even and growing up, written for 10-year-old boys. Also PIANO LESSONS, a sweet and simple story of the life lessons learned from a piano teacher, including 88 "keys" for a rich and happy life. THE BOOK FARMER (A Fable for Writers) is a brief tale that describes the process of writing and publishing, using the image of a farmer. And THE COURAGE PRAYER has one story for Women, one for Men, one for Teen Boys and one for Teen Girls, each struggling with a tough time of life. Each story ends with "The Courage Prayer", a universal meditation of help and hope.

Warren is an artist, writer, speaker and musician. As a popular speaker for adult groups and elementary schools, Warren has spoken at reading and literacy conferences across the country, presented programs for hundreds of church groups, volunteer banquets and other gatherings, and has enlightened and delighted tens of thousands of school children.
Warren is a native of Yankton, South Dakota. He now lives and works in Houston, Texas. Find out more at www.WarrenHanson.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars stunning, September 30, 2010

By 

Kirsten G. Cutler (Santa Rosa, California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Sea Of Sleep (Hardcover)

This is a truly lovely book that uses evocative phrases and lyrical text to describe a baby otter gently preparing for sleep: what an effective good night tale that encourages a child to quiet down to listen to the sibilant phrase, "Sea of Sleep" repeated in a soothing quatrain: Drifting. Floating. Lightly gliding/ On the Sea of Sleep tonight./ Rocking, Swaying. Slowly sailing/ On toward the morning light. Beginning with the inside cover pages, gorgeous acrylic and colored pencil double spreads give superlative glimpses of the ocean and seashore that draw the eye into its boundless depths. The book opens with a breathtaking double spread that shows the solicitous mother otter leading her baby to the water while in the distance a mother walks along the seashore with her child. The poetic text says, "The Sea of Sleep is calm tonight. Calm and still. Her quiet ripples tiptoe on the shore, kissing quickly, then run away again, slipping swiftly back across the sand, carrying away the footprints of the day". The text in either white or black print stands out clearly against the beautiful colors of the sea and sand. One particularly marvelous picture shows the mother and baby otter silhouetted against the moon face that is dipping into the ocean as the text reads, "It is the moon and all the stars. And the darkness, As it wraps us in its loving arms And holds us safe and warm". Highly recommended.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely magical. The ultimate bedtime story. Will be a cherished memory., December 16, 2010

By 

sparrowgirl65 (planet earth) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Sea Of Sleep (Hardcover)

My little son bought this book for me at his school book fair. When I read it, it brought tears to my eyes it was so beautiful. This magical book will be a very special memory for every child and parent who reads it. In it, a mother otter and her child drift peacefully in the loving arms of the sea and moon. This is the ultimate bedtime story, and somehow much more than that. Stunning illustrations.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A gentle bedtime story, December 19, 2010

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Sea Of Sleep (Hardcover)

Warren Hanson's THE SEA OF SLEEP tells of a baby otter who rocks on the waves in the protection of his mother's arms. But the sea holds much life and attraction: how can baby otter sleep with so much going on around him? A gentle bedtime story will delight parents with lovely drawings by Jim LaMarche.