The Sea

Summary

The story is about a joyful day spent at the beach, where a child and their family enjoy the playful interaction with the sea. Set on a hot holiday, the narrative emphasizes the child's playful back-and-forth chase with the waves, alternating between running towards and retreating from the water. This rhythmic interaction mirrors a game of yes and no as the child attempts to keep pace with the waves, leaving room for imaginative play and the discovery of shells and feathers at the water's edge. The story highlights the simple pleasures of nature and family, fostering a love for the ocean and the outdoor adventure. The descriptive language captures the sensory experiences of being by the sea, such as feeling the sand between toes, the sea spray in the air, and a general sense of wonder and contentment in embracing the natural world.

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On a very hot day,
on a holiday day,
we go to the beach.
To the sea.
We go to the sea,
my family and me.

On the edge of the sand is the water.
That’s where my toes touch the sea.

The waves play a game.
They say yes, I say no.
They run up to meet me,
and I run from the sea.

They say no, I say yes.
I run back to the edge.
I chase the waves home to the sea.

They say yes, I say no.
They say no, I say yes.
The sea chases me,
and I chase the sea.

There is blue. There is sea spray.
In the game, I can’t be still.

A chasing wave brings me a shell.
It leaves it for me on the wet sand.

I find a feather in the dry sand, and
I send it on a wave to the sea.

Then the waves say yes,
and I say yes too.

I have sea and sand in my toes.

Oh, I love the sea.

Credits

Originally published by Book Dash under a Creative Commons Licensed BY 4.0. This book can be read for free on https://bookdash.org/books/the-sea and was created by: Nicola Rijsdijk (Writer), Lauren Nel (Illustrator), Julie Smith-Belton (Illustrator), Ester Levinrad (Editor) Book Dash logo