The Sea Chest

This lovely tale within a tale follows the dual stories of a young girl, visiting with her great-great-aunt Maita, and of Maita herself, and her childhood on a rocky Maine island, where her father kept the Halleys Head Light. After a terrible storm batters the island, Maita and her father discover a sea chest washed up on the shore, and find a tiny baby inside. Wrapped in a quilt - together with a note reading: "We commit this child into the hands of God. May He save her" - the baby is christened "Seaward," and becomes Maita's adopted younger sister, and (eventually) the young girl's great-grandmother. Many, many years later, Maita tells the story to her young great-niece, who is waiting for her own baby sibling to arrive, from across show more the seas...

Based upon a folk legend about a baby found washed up on the shore of Maine's Southport Island - a legend that most likely has its origin in C.C. Munn's 1900 novel, Uncle Terry - Buzzeo's The Sea Chest is a magical tale of family and inter-generational love, greatly enhanced by Mary GrandPré's beautiful oil illustrations. I found myself, rather unexpectedly, caught up in its improbable tale of seaside discovery and survival. Recommended to children who enjoy tales of the sea, of lighthouses, or of adoptive families, and to all who appreciate Mary GrandPré's artwork. show less

A stunning book of rich illustrations, quiet beauty, and intense love. Toni Buzzeo tells the story of a small girl who lived alone with her parents on an island off the shore of Maine where the lighthouse helped to protect ships at sea. A violent storm washes ashore a seachest with a special treasure inside. This gorgeous book is spellbinding for the 4-8 age group, and inspiring for adults. The illustrations are absolutely spectacular. If you are looking for a special gift for a special child, this is it.

Suggested age: Grade 3+. Genre: Historical Fiction.
Maita recalls to her great-grandniece the story of her early life and the arrival of Maita's sister. Living with only her family on an island, Maita's father had the duty of tending the lighthouse, to keep ships safe. One day, a bundle washes ashore after a terrible storm. Inside the bundle is a chest; inside the chest is a baby. Maita's family names her Seaborne and raises her as their own. This would be a good book to include in a discussion about adoptions with students. It also would be useful for discussing flashbacks, life in the early 1900s, or even Maine history.

Perfect book for a read aloud, engages the class and has beautiful pictures that relate to the concurrent flow of the story itself.

Summary:
this book takes place in Maine. After a sea storm, a girl finds a chest. Inside she finds a little abandoned baby. The family adopts the baby and the rest of the story is about their lighthouse life by the sea.
Personal Reaction:
i liked this story it was very touching and cute.
Classroom Extention:
1. Class can write about a time they found something that they got to keep

This book has amazing illustrations. I would use this book for 3, 4, or 5th grade to go into the topic of fiction, or legends.

A young girl listens to her great-great-aunt, a lighthouse keeper's daughter, tells of her childhood living on a Maine island, and of the infant that washed ashore after a storm.