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One White Wishing Stone: A Beach Day Counting Book
National Geographic Books present a delightful new title that is sure to become a children's summer classic. Writer Doris Gayzagian and illustrator Kristina Swarner have collaborated to produce a magical, poetic counting book. A mother and child's day at the beach is brought to life in 32 beautifully illustrated pages of simple verse, capturing every child's delight in the natural joys of the seashore. The young girl and her mother make their first footprints in the sand early on a summer morning. The child's mind is soon swept up in exploration and discovery as she eagerly counts all the newfound natural wonders of the seashore. Each fresh page shines brightly with the magic sparkle of a child's from arriving and setting up a sun umbrella?to splashing around in a tide pool?to lovingly building a sandcastle decorated with seashells and feathers?to the return home and tucking into bed. In the evocative ebb and flow of words and pictures, the learning of names and the counting of beach creatures and the ocean's flotsam becomes a shared journey of discovery and joy for parents and young children. Kristina Swarner's illustrations will transport young imaginations to the wonderland of sea, sand, and sun. Once there, young readers and listeners will learn to name this world through the comforting repetition and engaging simplicity of Doris Gayzagian's rhymes. This is the perfect summer book for children, and parents, who relish the delight of discovery and the endless fascination of long, hot days at the shore.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published May 9, 2006
1 person is currently reading
41 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
July 1, 2009
A beautiful love letter to the sea! The lovely illustrations made me feel very peaceful and tied to nature, and the poem is very good (I hate to say it, but sometimes authors do fudge a bit since they are writing for kids which I find so demeaning and annoying!) Definitely recommended for anyone who loves the sea/beach.
September 5, 2019
A young girl and her mother spend the day at the beach in this lovely little counting book, which also offers a gentle tribute to the mellow delights of the seashore. With a rhyming text - "Three thistly cockleburs, prickly and brown / Four soft seagull feathers gently floating down" - that chronicles the many objects that the girl finds in her exploration, and watercolor and pencil illustrations that perfectly capture the peaceful mood of the day, One White Wishing Stone will transport young reader/listeners to an idyllic world of enchantment.
I don't know that I would ever have picked this up on my own - alphabet and counting books are usually outside my areas of interest, when it comes to children's books - but two friends rated it very highly, and I was curious (thanks, Lisa & Kathryn!). Kristina Swarner's illustrations really were lovely, with their beautiful blue and golden tones, and their sense of depth and mystery. I was reminded of some of my own childhood sojourns on the shore...
I don't know that I would ever have picked this up on my own - alphabet and counting books are usually outside my areas of interest, when it comes to children's books - but two friends rated it very highly, and I was curious (thanks, Lisa & Kathryn!). Kristina Swarner's illustrations really were lovely, with their beautiful blue and golden tones, and their sense of depth and mystery. I was reminded of some of my own childhood sojourns on the shore...
January 31, 2010
This book reminded me of the fun of and the magic of spending days at the beach as a young child. It also depicts a lovely day spent together by a daughter and mother, and shows the pleasure of collecting, and shows the ebb and flow of things, how the sea gives and takes away.
The poem is excellent and the illustrations are luminous and beautiful. There aren’t too many words on each page and the numbers go to only 10 so this is suitable for young children, but even children who already find it easy to count to ten and beyond can enjoy this book.
Best of all, this is a particularly interesting counting book because the 1 through 10 objects on the pages are easy to see, but they’re not all lined up in boring rows: you really have to “find” and count them. Each picture is very interesting.
The poem is excellent and the illustrations are luminous and beautiful. There aren’t too many words on each page and the numbers go to only 10 so this is suitable for young children, but even children who already find it easy to count to ten and beyond can enjoy this book.
Best of all, this is a particularly interesting counting book because the 1 through 10 objects on the pages are easy to see, but they’re not all lined up in boring rows: you really have to “find” and count them. Each picture is very interesting.
July 16, 2011
This book was a selection of the July Children's Picture Book Club found here:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/5...
My 2 year old and I read this book together. I believe it is perfect for her age. She likes counting books and she also likes the ocean/beach, really anything to do with water. The illustrations were beautiful and the story was a simple one that the youngest of children can follow. I enjoyed the author's description of the beach findings. It made for a great read aloud.
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/5...
My 2 year old and I read this book together. I believe it is perfect for her age. She likes counting books and she also likes the ocean/beach, really anything to do with water. The illustrations were beautiful and the story was a simple one that the youngest of children can follow. I enjoyed the author's description of the beach findings. It made for a great read aloud.
July 26, 2011
Lovely rhyming and lyrical words accompanied by soft, impressionistic illustrations make this book a gem to read. It's a counting book, but it's also an exploration of the seashore, perfect for a summer day.
This book was featured as one of the selections for the July 2011: Seaside/Beaches books discussion at the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books group here at Goodreads. I'm very glad that we had the opportunity to read this book!
This book was featured as one of the selections for the July 2011: Seaside/Beaches books discussion at the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books group here at Goodreads. I'm very glad that we had the opportunity to read this book!
July 22, 2025
Pretty, but lacking story and the implication that the little girl got herself al ready for bed and Mom just came in for a quick hug and kiss had my little one spooked we might drop our multi book reading sessions as he got older. So watch out if you've got a kid that enjoys their pre-bed read together time!
June 11, 2022
One White Wishing Stone is a unique beach themed counting book with lovely illustrations.
October 13, 2015
Title: One White Wishing Stone: A Beach Day Counting Book
Author: Doris K. Gayzagian
Illustrator: Kristina Swarner
Genre: Counting Book; Rhyme
Theme(s): Nature; Counting; Sea life
Opening line/sentence:
Brief Book summary: The young girl and her mother take a trip to the beach. The girl counts many of the wonders on the beach, like the shells and tide pools.
Professional Review 1:
"Gayzagian has written a beautiful poem that has been illustrated by Kristina Swarner to make a charming beach counting book that will be enjoyed by both adults and children. The poem follows a young girl and her mother out for a day at the beach, including one of the favorite beach-goers' pastimes of gathering "beach things" such as shells, feathers, and starfish. This rhyming poetry book is simple but striking. The illustrations are beautifully done to create the feel of a time spent on the beach, giving the illusion of the sun, sand, and water, with the predominant colors of yellow, green, and blue. These are followed by the colorful lavenders of a sunset after a full day at the beach. The child's enjoyment of the time spent collecting and playing with her mother creates a celebration of joy that flows throughout the book." - Naomi Williamson (Children's Literature)
Professional Review 2:
"PreS-Mother and daughter spend an idyllic day at a deserted beach. The little girl enumerates the treasures such as shells and feathers that she finds and incorporates many of them into an elaborate sandcastle. Gayzagian's verse maintains an easy rhythm, and alliteration adds aural interest. Swarner's watercolors recall the world of French impressionists, where a rosy-cheeked child can keep her white dress spotless through hours of play. Together words and pictures create a summer of memory or longing. This bedtime book ends with the two characters drifting to sleep as one white wishing stone and two periwinkle shells rest on the window ledge. The quiet story may evoke a similar response in young listeners winding down after a day of outdoor activity on the beach or elsewhere." - Kathy Piehl (School Library Journal)
Response to Professional Reviews:
I agree that the blues and greens of the illustrations support the overall soft and romantic attitude of the book. Bright colors would have completely changed the attitude of the book.
Evaluation of Literary Elements:
The rhyme and alliteration add a whimsical element to this book. They support the romantic tone of the book. It feels almost like a soft song.
Consideration of Instructional Application:
This book could be paired with a lesson on counting or even sea creatures. Children could create their own seashells and decorate them for an art lesson.
Author: Doris K. Gayzagian
Illustrator: Kristina Swarner
Genre: Counting Book; Rhyme
Theme(s): Nature; Counting; Sea life
Opening line/sentence:
Brief Book summary: The young girl and her mother take a trip to the beach. The girl counts many of the wonders on the beach, like the shells and tide pools.
Professional Review 1:
"Gayzagian has written a beautiful poem that has been illustrated by Kristina Swarner to make a charming beach counting book that will be enjoyed by both adults and children. The poem follows a young girl and her mother out for a day at the beach, including one of the favorite beach-goers' pastimes of gathering "beach things" such as shells, feathers, and starfish. This rhyming poetry book is simple but striking. The illustrations are beautifully done to create the feel of a time spent on the beach, giving the illusion of the sun, sand, and water, with the predominant colors of yellow, green, and blue. These are followed by the colorful lavenders of a sunset after a full day at the beach. The child's enjoyment of the time spent collecting and playing with her mother creates a celebration of joy that flows throughout the book." - Naomi Williamson (Children's Literature)
Professional Review 2:
"PreS-Mother and daughter spend an idyllic day at a deserted beach. The little girl enumerates the treasures such as shells and feathers that she finds and incorporates many of them into an elaborate sandcastle. Gayzagian's verse maintains an easy rhythm, and alliteration adds aural interest. Swarner's watercolors recall the world of French impressionists, where a rosy-cheeked child can keep her white dress spotless through hours of play. Together words and pictures create a summer of memory or longing. This bedtime book ends with the two characters drifting to sleep as one white wishing stone and two periwinkle shells rest on the window ledge. The quiet story may evoke a similar response in young listeners winding down after a day of outdoor activity on the beach or elsewhere." - Kathy Piehl (School Library Journal)
Response to Professional Reviews:
I agree that the blues and greens of the illustrations support the overall soft and romantic attitude of the book. Bright colors would have completely changed the attitude of the book.
Evaluation of Literary Elements:
The rhyme and alliteration add a whimsical element to this book. They support the romantic tone of the book. It feels almost like a soft song.
Consideration of Instructional Application:
This book could be paired with a lesson on counting or even sea creatures. Children could create their own seashells and decorate them for an art lesson.
April 22, 2016
Time slows down as a mother and daughter have a perfect seaside day. The little girl is lost to the wonders of what washes ashore, from “one white wishing stone, smooth and round and cool” to “ten tiny sandpipers – see how fast they run”. The poem is excellent, lulling and rhythmic to read. The paintings are soft and impressionistic. The book has a peaceful and contented quality. Although it is a counting book, the quality of the poem and illustrations, as well as, the seaside discoveries makes the book a gift for all ages.
July 24, 2008
I learned about this book through a COttey College newsletter - the review was enticing, I love beautifully illustrated children's books, and I love the sea. The book met all my expectations. I will no doubt buy it for each of my grown-up children, just as a lovely souvenir of time spent at Gleneden Beach, Oregon, during their childhood summers.
February 9, 2012
This beach book uses the concept of counting to explore the various items one encounters at the beach. With the exception of two illustrations, this book was not appealing to me visually. I did like the sandcastle with the various items pushed into the walls for decoration. Also the tide surrounding the sandcastle had visual appeal for me.
June 20, 2008
Not every day at the beach is a splashing good times joyfest, sometimes the beauty of seasideness is the quiet (hello Mary Oliver). This gentle book with its poetic, almost Victorian feel, counts starfish and scallop shells and adds up to lovely.
October 21, 2010
This book was a perfect follow-up to our short beach trip earlier this fall. While my son (and I!) didn't know what all the objects were, he still enjoyed the book very much. I loved the breathtaking illustrations.
May 17, 2018
Wish I had written this book! :) A perfect gift for a little girl who lives by or visits the seashore.
(Maybe a frustrating book for someone who lives landlocked and can't ever get to the beach--because this book makes you want to go!)
(Maybe a frustrating book for someone who lives landlocked and can't ever get to the beach--because this book makes you want to go!)
September 6, 2013
A poetic counting story in which a young girl gathers mementos from the beach and uses them to decorate a sand castle. She saves the wishing stone, though in order to make a wish for another day as perfect. A fun seasonal read aloud with watercolor and pencil prints. PreK-2.
November 13, 2008
Beautiful picture book about counting at the beach from National Geographic
June 10, 2010
Toddler/ Preschool storytime- beach theme
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews