Honouring 'The Sound of the Sea'
September 4th 2006 23:46
Image: Lothian Books
We were dismantling our display of Short-listed books after CBC Book Week finished and I thought I would take the chance to read some of the ones I hadn’t had time to get to. The cover of Jacqueline Harvey’s The Sound of the Sea attracted me, (beautifully illustrated by Warren Crossett) so I presumed I could quickly have a read and determine the reason for its listing of Honour Book. Before I’m even half way, I have to fight to keep the salt-water wells from forming. (I’ve always wanted to use Julian Lennon’s term for tears!) What a wonderfully, emotional book!
Sam Sullivan ventures down to the beach, and the sights, sounds and smells bring back memories of his mother. He remembers fishing and rock pool exploring with her and wonderful races along the sand. Unfortunately he also remembers her becoming sick and going away and the anger and loneliness that it brought. But with the gentle guidance of his grand-parents, Sam comes to realise that the sea no longer means his mum has gone away, it means she will always be with him.
Most years there is at least one book short-listed for the Book Week prize that deals with death and loss. It is sad to think that children must face something like this, but it is also a fact that many children do. The message of how best to deal with loss at this age can be tricky to get across, and unfortunately many authors fail badly. I’ve seen some that I would no sooner read to a child than I would point out their mortality to them. But Sound of the Sea is one of those rare books that surpasses its intention. The illustrations help, as they are so pleasing to the eye, but when Sam finds his mother again at the shore, it is a beautiful, happy moment that both reader and listener can share. At that moment it teaches us the quiet truth that those we lose never really leave us.
But I warn you, read this book a few times to yourself before reading it to a child. It helps to anaesthetise you emotionally so you can get through it without crying!
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