WHAT THE SEA SAW

“What the sea saw was sky above / what the sky saw was sea below.” This simple beginning introduces a profound concept—the interconnectedness of all life—at a level preschoolers can understand. A gull darts from sky to sea to catch a fish; the fish dive to deeper waters full of seaweed, crabs and sharks. Plants, insects and starfish populate the water’s edge. Then the rain falls, and the sky becomes the sea. The language is both poetic and direct (the gull leaves “the sky empty”); the finely drawn watercolor illustrations capture movement and light in oversized double-page spreads that bring the scenes up close. Three pages at the back explain ecosystems and ocean and beach habitats in some detail, and offer “eco-tips” on protecting the land. (bibliography) (Picture book. 3-8)