Selkie - Hardcover

Gillian McClure

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0385410131 ISBN 13: 9780385410137

Publisher: Doubleday, 1999

Synopsis

Peter lives with his grandmother by the sea. He has heard the legend of the Selkies: seals that slip out of their skins and reveal themselves to be humans, when touched by the friendship of another human. When he saves a seal from a cruel oysterman, he discovers the truth of the legend for himself.

About this title

About the Author

Gillian McClure lives in Cambridge, England. Her other picture books include The Christmas Donkey.

From Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 3-In this original story, Peter befriends and frees a seal girl after she is captured by a greedy oysterman who wants her to teach him the language of the sea. The story ends abruptly, leaving readers with a feeling that something is missing. The brief text does not contain enough details to explain what "the language of the sea" is or why it is so desirable. She teaches it to Peter, and, according to the text, he makes use of it to get back to shore. At this point, the illustrations show the boy getting home by following his trail markers in the sand rather than anything mystical. Full-color illustrations take on a number of sizes and shapes, adding visual variety. The attractive palette is appropriate for the sea and island setting. The Selkie Girl (Aladdin, 1991), retold by Susan Cooper and illustrated by Warwick Hutton, follows the Scottish legends more closely and is more appealing. McClure's story has more holes than the oysterman's net.
Kathleen Simonetta, Indian Trails Public Library District, Wheeling, IL
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Doubleday
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 0385410131
• ISBN 13: 9780385410137
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 32