- Hardcover: 48 pages
- Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR); First Edition edition (Jun 1 2000)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0805061614
- ISBN-13: 978-0805061611
- Product Dimensions: 33.7 x 23.7 x 0.9 cm
- Shipping Weight: 626 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #1,195,701 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Publishers Weekly
This poignant tale captures a time of sadness, waiting and hope in the life of Cecile, a young island girl whose mother has left home in order to work. Cecile fills the long days of waiting for her mother's return by watching her grandfather mend his fishing nets, teaching her grandmother to write and gathering shells to send to her mother to make her want to come home. Godard, who was born in Guadeloupe and now lives in France, shows Cecile walking by herself along a beach of breathtaking beauty, visiting a fisherman and generally exhibiting a freedom of movement that many children would envy. When her mother writes that she has no days off and won't be coming to see her this year, Cecile cradles her head in her lap, her grief palpable to the viewer. Godard's story and his impressionistic paintings suggest the lush bounty and the struggle, resilience and dreams of Cecile's community. Cecile is last seen preparing to leave the island for the first time in order to visit her mother, ending the story on a note both somber and joyful. Ages 4-8. (June)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 3-Oversized pages depict the lush Caribbean setting in which Cecile lives with her grandparents. Her mother works on the mainland, and her father disappeared at sea. Readers follow the child as she tries to keep busy-watching her grandfather repair fishing nets, reading mail to her grandmother and helping her paper the walls of the house with catalog pages, and making a picture with shells-but the her loneliness is palpable. She listens with sadness to a storyteller recount the tale of two brothers out fishing, one of whom followed a siren's call and was never seen again. While Cecile's mother cannot leave her new job, she does arrange, in the end, for her daughter to visit her. This story of intergenerational love amid the realities of life is sure to strike a chord with children who miss a loved one for any reason, but those with working parents will immediately relate to the feelings of the winsome heroine. The full-page illustrations have a soft focus and are rendered in a tropical palette. Wavy gray lines, simulating waves, create a bottom border on pages of text; small details decorate the top margins. Visually, the story can be appreciated by a group; emotionally, it is more satisfying in an intimate setting. A quiet treasure.
Wendy Lukehart, Dauphin County Library, Harrisburg, PA
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Wendy Lukehart, Dauphin County Library, Harrisburg, PA
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Customer Reviews
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Most helpful customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Made me feel 8 years old again,
By Christina Wolfreys (Gainesville, FL) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Mama, Across the Sea (Hardcover)
Subject matter was intense for my seven year-old niece, but wasa catalyst in getting her to talk about her own insecurities, likehaving to leave a favorite teacher behind, or having close relatives move away. Anyone who has ever had to deal with separation anxiety in young children will find this book an immensely helpful resource. Beautiful illustrations. Schmaltz-free text was perfect for her as she is able to sniff out overt sentimentality a mile away!
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta) Amazon.com:
4.0 out of 5 stars (1 customer review) 7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Made me feel 8 years old again,
By Christina Wolfreys - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Mama, Across the Sea (Hardcover)
Subject matter was intense for my seven year-old niece, but wasa catalyst in getting her to talk about her own insecurities, likehaving to leave a favorite teacher behind, or having close relatives move away. Anyone who has ever had to deal with separation anxiety in young children will find this book an immensely helpful resource. Beautiful illustrations. Schmaltz-free text was perfect for her as she is able to sniff out overt sentimentality a mile away!
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