Ana and the Sea Star
A journey of imagination and respect for nature
R Lynne Roelfs author Jamie Hogan illustrator
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Tilbury House,U.S.
Published:1st Jul '19
Should be back in stock very soon
This hardback is available in another edition too:
- Paperback£8.99(9780884485728)
This touching picture book tells the story of a young girl's encounter with a starfish and her imaginative journey to appreciate nature while letting it go. Ana and the Sea Star explores themes of connection and respect for the environment.
In Ana and the Sea Star, readers are taken on a heartwarming journey that emphasizes the beauty of imagination and the natural world. The story follows a young girl named Ana, who discovers a starfish while playing on the beach. Although she is excited to show this fascinating creature to her mother, Ana grapples with the dilemma of wanting to take the starfish home versus respecting its home in the ocean. With gentle encouragement from her father, Ana learns to navigate her feelings and understand the importance of letting nature be, while still cherishing the memory of her encounter.
Through her imaginative journey, Ana finds a way to keep the essence of the sea star with her, illustrating the theme that true connection with nature doesn't always require possession. The narrative beautifully captures the essence of childhood curiosity and the lessons that come with it, encouraging young readers to think about their impact on the environment. The illustrations complement the text, bringing to life the vibrant world of the beach and its inhabitants.
The back matter of Ana and the Sea Star invites children to explore the lives of various sea creatures, including jellyfish and loggerhead turtles, fostering a deeper appreciation for marine life. This engaging picture book serves not only as a delightful story but also as an educational tool, inspiring a sense of wonder and responsibility towards the natural world.
"
Hogan has in the view of this writer entered the sacred pantheon of books worthy of Caldecott attention with the quietly powerful and sensory Ana and the Sea Star. That Roelfs’s life-affirming story, told with poetic grace was the springboard makes the completed work all that more distinguished....There is an acute literary kinship between McCloskey’s unforgettable sensory immersion and Ana and the Sea Star, a work that similarly places youthful wishes front and center during the most formative years.
Young readers are treated to an illustrated glossary featuring the sea creatures encountered in the text along with a four or five sentence engaging description of each. Making the connection of human to animal life is a similar showcasing of Ana, defined as a homo sapien, a vertebrate like some of the others, but most notably the youngest species of them all and one with the unique power of imagination.
" -- Sam Juliano - Wonders in the Dark
"
When Ana and her papa discover a sea star during their walk on the beach, Ana wants to take it home. Papa helps her understand that the sea star is alive and must go back to the ocean. He then consoles her by painting pictures with words that describe the sea star's home under the sea. When Ana gets home, she tells her mother about the sea star using Papa's technique. Hogan's painterly and realistic illustrations take viewers to the beach and under the sea. Her depictions of the natural world evoke the joy of the sea, the salty air, the sand, and the animals that live in this habitat. Hogan's experience as an island dweller in Maine truly shines. Roelfs's text has a lot going on. It covers respecting the natural world, animals of the sea, and using one's imagination through much description and dialogue. The illustrations work well at grounding and depicting the abundant text. There is back matter that provides further description and facts about the animals mentioned in the story, including Ana.
VERDICT This gentle story and lovely artwork touch on sea animals, using one's imagination, and respecting nature. An informative and delightful addition.
" -- School Library JournalISBN: 9780884485223
Dimensions: 262mm x 239mm x 13mm
Weight: 480g
36 pages