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.

When Sarah's grandfather goes off for a few days he leaves her with a gift of a shell, which he says she can hear the sea in. Everyday he is away Sarah listens and listens but all she hears are the regular sounds of her life with her grandmother in the small village in which they live. But when Grandfather returns he shows Sarah that listening is a special skill that often involves imagination, and soon she is enjoying the sounds of the sea.