The Specific Ocean by Kyo Maclear

Title: The Specific Ocean

Author: Kyo Maclear

Illustrator: Katty Maurey

Publisher: Kids Can Press

Published: August 1st, 2015

Rating: 5/5

This is a relatively simple story, beautifully told and illustrated. It would be ideal to read on a beach next to a sea or ocean but engenders that feeling even when you’re some distance away. The descriptions are succinct, yet simple and emotive, taking the reader on a journey with the characters. It is easy to empathise with the little girl and to feel how her view of the ocean changes from resentful to love during the course of her holiday. The illustrations are pastel shades but so evocative, enhancing the whole experience. This is a brilliant book and one I have no hesitation at all in highly recommending.

Sometimes children resent the holiday plans made for them by their parents. In this enchanting story that is very true for the young girl in the story who would much rather stay in the city with her friends rather than go on holiday to the Pacific Ocean (- when she was younger she thought it was the Specific Ocean until her brother corrected her!) Initially she believes their holiday is boring but, after swimming in the sea with her Mum and brother she starts to experience it in a new way, learning to love the ocean more as each day passes and witnessing its moods, colours and life.

Parents and teachers could also use this book to prompt discussions about how sometimes the things we assume we’ll dislike can turn out to be something we really appreciate. It could also reassure wary children that sometimes visiting different places can be a positive experience, that change isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The descriptive language used is inspirational and could be used as a brilliant stimulus for creative writing. The art work throughout the book portrays the emotional attitudes of the characters and the atmosphere of the story superbly making it a great starting point before children explore their own creations. Definitely a book worth making shelf room for, delightful and endearing.

Thanks to the authors, publisher and NetGalley, too for letting me read an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book is available from a variety of sources including

amazon.co.uk           amazon.com          barnes and noble