Can You Hear the Sea? - Softcover

Judy Cumberbatch

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0747576653 ISBN 13: 9780747576655

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC, 2007

Synopsis

When Sarah's grandfather goes off for a few days he leaves her with a gift of a shell, which he says she can hear the sea in. Every day he is away Sarah listens and listens, but all she hears are the regular sounds of her life with her grandmother in the small village in which they live. But when Grandfather returns he shows Sarah that listening is a special skill that involves imagination, and soon she is enjoying the sounds of the sea. A delightful tale of everyday life in a location that is perhaps not entirely familiar to all readers.

About this title

About the Author:

Judy Cumberbatch lives in London. She was brought up in Ghana and after a recent visit to the country was inspired to write this lovely text. She is the author of one other book for children, Sandstorm, published by Cambridge University Press, and also works as a translator and researcher with particular reference to the Middle East. Ken Wilson-Max, who illustrated the text, also lives in London and he too was brought up in Africa - in his case Zimbabwe. Ken is the creator of many wonderful books for young readers.

From School Library Journal:

PreSchool-Grade 3–Exuberant colors and evocative text are a winning combination in this appealing story about a Ghanaian girl and her beloved grandfather. Before Grandpa leaves on a trip, he gives Sarah a beautiful shell and tells her that it is magic; if she holds it up to her ear, she will be able to hear the sounds of the sea. Her grandmother says, Don't go believing all that nonsense, but Sarah doesn't listen because her grandpa never, ever told a lie. As the story unfolds, day by day, for a week, the child becomes frustrated; she traverses her village holding the shell to her ear and hears the laundry flip-flapping, monkeys chattering, banana trees swish-swishing, plantains sizzling, pepper stew sput-sputtering–but never the sounds of the sea–until Grandpa returns. Radiant swaths of skillfully harmonized acrylic colors are accentuated by thick black lines, and spare yet expressive facial features glow from each page. One particularly striking scene shows Sarah and her grandpa sitting on a bench with their backs facing out: it is their postures that communicate the palpable tenderness of the moment. Large print, a reassuring narrative, and vibrant paintings make this book an excellent choice for storytime.–Kirsten Cutler, Sonoma County Library, CA
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About this edition

• Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 0747576653
• ISBN 13: 9780747576655
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Ken Wilson-Max