Swashby and the Sea

I love all the characters in this loving story, but my favorite is the sea. Ferry makes the sea a character as if everyone sees the sea that way. The sea is a mild trickster in the story, a trickster that connects people. The repeated refrain - "the sea fiddled with, just a little bit" - drives the story. Illustrator Martinez-Neal brings the people to life with expressive eyes and body language to accompany Ferry's eloquently simple words. Soft watercolors evoke summer at the beach in all it's lazy and joyful moods. The gull on most pages lends attention and humor. Inter- and intragenerational themes dominate this heartfelt, warm story, perfect for sharing.

I'm not going to sing the praises of the illustrator--Juana Martinez Neal. I feel I do that with every book of hers. She is amazing! Her drawings bring scenes to life. But additionally, it's the little subtle bits (like naming the boat El Recluso) that definitely made me an advocate of hers.

But this is more than a beautifully illustrated tale. It's a lyrical story about opening up one's heart. It could be children. It could be new experiences. It is all of that and more
The backdrop of the ocean made me long for the beach. Writing in the sand holds such memories. Believe it or not, the ocean plays a role in bringing Swashby to a place of love and acceptance. What Swashby meant for loneliness.......that doesn't quite happen ;)

Aww.... I had fairly high hopes for this tale of intergenerational friendship, of an introverted curmudgeon who needed to be lured out of his shell. And I was not disappointed. A bit of a deus ex machina, but fine. Well, adorable.

Don't miss the very first page. Note that it was the sea, introduced as a 'friend' who knew him 'better than anyone,' who changed the messages and worked to promote the (human) friendship.

And never mind the blurb, there are no pirates, thank goodness.

"Swashby and the Sea" by Beth Ferry is a sweet story about a grumpy sailor who has retired and lives by the seashore. He doesn't like to socialize with others until one day, he gets new neighbors, and he is forced into interactions that a mysterious friend nudges along. The little girl and her grandmother, his new neighbors, bring joy and cheer to his life even when he tries his best to resist them. The pictures give a salty, windy beach vibe and give just enough hints of the mysterious third party facilitating these interactions. There is a good message for kids about staying open to new experiences and friendships, even when you feel like you don't want to have anyone near you. It could bring more happiness into your life if you keep show more your heart open to it. I felt for the characters, and it was heartwarming at the end. show less

Captain Swashby is a reclusive, retired sailor happy with his quiet life by the sea until an energetic girl and her grandmother move in next door. This delightful book checks all the right boxes for kindergarten books: loveable and diverse characters, heartwarming themes, charming artwork, and discussion-worthy vocabulary. There are even a handful of authentic chances to review phonics skills and sight words as students decipher messages written in the sand.

This is the eve of the 2020 election. Obviously more people, myself included, needed to read more cute books, like this, about making friends this year. :)