The Big Big Sea

Sorry this is out of print. It was my go-to book for new mothers. Lovely illustrations and beautiful story. Shows a special time between a mother and daughter.

I love this book. The prose is simple and lyrical. The near monochrome illustrations are beautiful and complement the text perfectly. And the setting - Murlough, Co Down, Ireland, near the author's home - is gorgeous. I have to confess that it's my home too. The walk that the mother and daughter take, through the dunes to the sea, begins at a point no more than 400 yards from the house where I grew up. Even if it weren't such a sentimental favorite for me I'd still recommend it strongly. The simple story and the drawings and the calm meter of the evocative prose make it perfect bedtime reading. Both my children loved it even before they knew the area as Granny's Big Big Sea.

I found this book at a bookstore in Cape Cod while on a vacation. My daughter was 8 months old at the time. She is 5 now, and this book remains our favorite to read together. On her 2nd birthday I had a picture from the book scanned on her birthday cake. This book will be one we read for years to come.

I cannot think of a more beautifully illustrated book than this one. The dreamy pictures of a mother-and-daughter escapade on the beach, followed by a sleepy night's end, move me every time I read it. With simple, slow-paced text, it makes for a very nice bedtime story.

My 18 month old son has loved this storybook for several months now. There aren't too many words on the page (1-4 sentences) and they have a nice rhythm to them, and the paintings are so magical. It really captures the feeling of the magic of the ocean at night. He loves to point out the moon and the beach and the mountains which are "far far away, right around the bay." It's definitely his favorite storybook.

"so we went..."Our family has memorized this wonderful book. My toddler son loves the realistic illustrations. The moonlight and the water make for a beautiful memory for this little girl and her mama. With short sentences and brief text, it's perfect for a 2-year-old. Heartily and highly recommended!