The Boy and the Sea

The Boy and the Sea begins with a young boy who likes to listen to the whispers of the wise, old sea. As the boy grows and faces the new challenges of adulthood and, eventually, old age, he is curious. The boy has questions, some of which he can answer. Others, however, he cannot. At each age, the boy returns to the whispers of the sea, which tells him to dream, to love, and, finally, to be.

Camille Andros has written a beautifully meditative story that touches on the themes of the cycle of life, the importance of curiosity and seeking solace in the natural world, and the need sometimes to simply trust the process of life to find answers. Amy Bates’ illustrations in soft-focused, cool blue tones perfectly complement the tone of this book, while subtly emphasizing the sea as the boy’s mentor. The messages contained in this book would be wonderful for any child to hear, but maybe especially for those who feel a little uneasy or anxious about the uncertainties of growing up.