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OCEAN LULLABY by Laura McGee Kvasnosky

OCEAN LULLABY

by Laura McGee Kvasnosky ; illustrated by Kate Harvey McGee

Pub Date: May 4th, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-593-11801-6
Publisher: Philomel

The newest collaboration by sisters Kvasnosky and McGee takes readers on an evening stroll to the beach and a dive underwater in the nighttime ocean.

The sun sinks toward a distant horizon while a racially diverse group of family and friends sings along at a seaside picnic. Young and old enjoy the music, and a child sits and listens in mother’s lap “as they rock to ocean sounds.” The sun begins to set, and the mother’s words echo the lapping of the waves as she sings a lullaby. “Shhh hush. Shhh hush. We can sing along.” Below the waves and under the darkening water, Kvasnosky’s lulling verse continues, “the big whales doze,” and “turtles float and shut their eyes.” Floating peacefully, “dolphins drift and mantas glide / through the rocking, rolling tide.” Twilight turns tide pools golden. The encroaching nightfall slows everything down, and baby falls asleep on mother’s shoulder. “You, my sweet, my sleepy child, / rest here in my arms awhile. / As the new moon rides the sky, / dream the ocean lullaby.” With the crescent moon (not, some will quibble, a new moon) and stars overhead and the waves kissing the beach, she sings to her child. (Both present White.) Soft and rich pastels are emboldened with black outlines, creating a pleasing graphic background for this peaceful, sleepytime poem. (This book was reviewed digitally with 9-by-19-inch double-page spreads viewed at 42.1% of actual size.)

A delightful winding-down story after a busy day at the beach—or anywhere.

(Picture book. 3-6)