Seemore the Seagull

Seemore the Seagull is a loveable people-watcher who observes the behavior of the diverse beach-goers on Revere Beach. He wants everyone to get along no matter what color, language, shape, or size. He becomes very upset when he sees some children argue and fight about sharing sand toys and destroying each other's sandcastles. He helps them learn to cooperate, and together they build a castle that makes them all happy. By listening or reading the story, young children learn respect for diversity and the benefits of sharing and cooperation. The illustrations and photos in the book capture the essence of historic Revere Beach, the first public beach in the United States.

Ralph Tufo is a retired college professor and has been a professional musician for over 35 years. His band, The Squeezebox Stompers, tours throughout New England. He has released 11 CD recordings and has received four Boston Music Awards. In addition to writing Seemore the Seagull, he has written several short plays, over 50 songs, and 3 full-length musicals. The Katrina Roadhouse musical is about the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The musical comedy, I'd Rather Be Lucky Than Good, is about golf, fate, and friendship, and Beyond the Blues is a Zoom Production recorded in 2021 about the power of music in overcoming life's difficulties. A live production of Beyond the Blues is scheduled for production in the Spring of 2022. Ralph's had several staged readings of plays at the following venues: North Shore Community College, Internal Matter in South Boston, and the Community Church of Boston. His play, Wrong Place, Right Time, was produced at the Boston Playwright's Platform Festival and the Saugus Theater Company's Staged Readings. To view The Squeezebox Stompers' video of the sea chantey, Seemore the Seagull, along with other related information, log on to www.squeezeboxstompers.com and click on the "Sea Chantey" tab at the top of the website. Contact Ralph if you'd like a book reading or a performance of the sea shanty, "Seemore the Seagull" at: ralphtufo@gmail.com

Amanda Grafe is an author and illustrator from New England. She enjoys spending time with her dog, writing about the arts, and making the world a better place. In addition to illustrating the books in Julia Reid's Alex and the Magical Coat Series, Amanda has authored three of her own children's books, My Best Ghoul Friend, Baby Bunny and the Balloon, and The Sneaky Mouse, illustrating two of them.

Having spent his childhood in neighboring Chelsea, Revere Beach was always a favorite destination of Steve's. Today it remains his a favorite place to visit, or take long walks with his dog, Bella, who loves and appreciates the long crescent shape of this first public beach as much as Steve does. Steve's interest in art began in grade school when at age 9, his collage was chosen for an exhibit at the Public Library. That interest continued through his student and adult life. Recently his work has been exhibited in several galleries in Boston and the North Shore. Steve's Professional affiliations include the Griffin Museum of Photography, Lynn Arts Association, ReachArts Swampscott, Greater Lynn Photography Association, Newburyport Arts Association and Marblehead Arts Association.