Perfect Picture Book Friday/ The Boy and the Ocean

Hi Friends!

Another Friday rolled around. Don’t they come fast now though? So fast I can hardly keep up. Seems like yesterday was summer but now we’re in a Polar Vortex and it is Cold. Bbrr!

So get some hot cocoa and a chocolate candy or donut and head out to Susanna Leonard Hill’s place and read some more Perfect Picture Book Friday reviews. And if I know her, you can restock your chocolate something over there, too.

Perfect Picture Book Friday/ The Boy and the Ocean

 

Title: The Boy and the Ocean

 

Author/ illustrator: Max Lucado/ T. Lively Fluharty

 

Published by Crossway in 2013, Fiction

 

Appropriate for all ages

 

Themes: God, Christianity, Love, Common Childhood experiences

Resources: Here is Max Lucado’s web site along with blog and other books he’s authored.

And for marine activities and habitats and teacher guides about them go here.

 

The First Three Lines: “The little Boy rolled over in his bed and opened his eyes. Through his window he could see the ocean. Big and blue. Rolling waves. Water crashing on the beach.”

 

Summary : “A boy learns about God’s great, never ending love from looking at the ocean, mountains, and sky.”

 

Why I Love it: “God’s love is Special” the books says. “God’s love is like the ocean, my little boy. “ his mother says. “it’s always here. It’s always deep. It never ends. God’s love is special.” This refrain is repeated for the mountains, and for the night sky with stars and moon. The little boy experiences the ocean, its’ salt, it’s waves, it’s starfish, it’s bigness. And then comes the refrain. Same for the mountains and sky.

 

As I read this book I got flutters in my stomach and shivers on my spine and arms. And I felt the rightness of this book’s message. And I’m not even religious right now. I hardly ever pray lately. But the way God was expressed on these beautiful pages, for the illustrator has done a beautiful job, seemed amazing to me. I could feel HIs Love. That is why I love this book.

 

As Joanna Marple says

“Each week a group of bloggers reviews picture books we feel would make great educational reads. To help teachers, caregivers and parents, we have included resources and activities with each of our reviews. A complete list of the thousands of books we have reviewed can be found here on Susanna Leonard Hill’s website.”

 

or

 

Thanks so much for reading this. If you would like to read more books like this one go to Susanna Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Books site  where you will find a treasure trove of good stories for students , parents and teachers and librarians. All categorized in alphabet order and in order of theme. Go there and see for yourself why you should and will want to tell others about it. Perfect Picture Book Friday. It’s awesome!

 

And my books?

My Picture Books in logo by Margot Finke

Annie’s Special Day and Edmund Pickle Chin, a Donkey Rescue Story. Check out the reviews!! 🙂

See You Tuesday! Another special article on Margot Finke!

Have a Great weekend!

XOXO