Ocean Wide, Ocean Deep by Susan Lendroth, illustrated by Raul Allen.

Set in nineteenth-century Cape Cod, this story is about a parent leaving for a very long time, a year, on a voyage overseas.  Through gently rhyming verse, a young girl tells the story of her father traveling away from home while her infant brother develops and grows.  Seasons change, the baby grows, but she and her mother continue to think of her father.  Modern readers will enjoy this timeless tale whose feelings and emotions perfectly speak for any child who is missing a parent or loved one.

Lendroth is very skilled, creating poetry that while rhyming does not become sing-song or maudlin.  Rather the poetry lends a gentle gait to the book and captures the emotions well.  The crowning glory of the book are the illustrations which are luminous, large and speak volumes all on their own.  Allen’s art recalls nineteenth century children’s books often, but also moves beyond that to beckon us in.  A lovely tribute to books of the time while still maintaining an individual feel.

Recommended for reading quietly with children and having a discussion about feelings, this is not the book for a rowdy preschool story time or unit.  Appropriate for ages 4-7.