This is not a new story - a youngster wants to "stretch his or her legs" and explore the world or at least the world away from mum or dad. The youngster is curious. The journey has dangers but the ending is warm and reassuring. What sets this book apart is the skilful rhyming text and the colourful almost tactile illustrations.
Sophie, a sea otter, asks her mum about the place "where the sea meets the sky". Her mother explains that the horizon is a place that no one can reach and "no one should try". But Sophie sees a lighthouse in the distance. She is sure her mother is wrong. She swims across to the lighthouse which seems to be standing where the sea meets the sky but on arrival she discovers the edge of sea is still miles away. Sophie continues on her journey asking for advice from the walrus and a whale. She swims on and on and night falls and a huge ocean liner almost runs her over. At that moment her mother arrives.
"But suddenly - somebody pulled her aside.
The monster sailed past and Sophie soon saw
Just who had saved her by grabbing her paw.
Sophie said, 'How did you know where to come?'
'I just asked a whale and a walrus,' said Mum.
'They said a brave sea otter came swimming by ...
on her way to the place where the sea meets the sky."
The way other sea creatures share Sophie's journey with her mum reminded me of Tiddler by Julia Donaldson. Peter Bently is the author of over 30 books. Where the Sea meets the Sky is a debut picture book for Riko Sekiguchi. She is certainly a talent to watch.
Here is the art from the title page:
I would pair this book with:
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