All through the week as Sarah tries to hear the sea in a conch shell that Grandpa gives her, she is distracted by the sounds of her West African vil lage. On Friday Sarah complains to Grandpa that she has heard everything but the sea. On Saturday, when Sarah carefully follows his instructions to close her eyes and listen to what the shell says, she finally hears the sound of “water crashing, waves pounding, pebbles rattling, surf hissing, and the sea’s huge roar on the wide seashore” (n.p.). Bold, brightly colored paintings show details of the sights and sounds of Sarah’s village. ca

Originally published by Bloomsbury Great Britain, in 2006.