The Sea View Hotel

by James Stevenson

The only child at the Sea View Hotel, Hubert's two week vacation is miserable until he encounters the hotel handyman.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

48 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 1978

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author with this name in the Goodreads databse.

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lately my son and have been exploring the picture books of James Stevenson (perhaps better known as a New Yorker cartoonist), and they are so much fun. He has a goofy sense of humor and an appealingly messy drawing style. The Sea View Hotel has long been a favorite of mine, ever since 1988 when I first worked in a bookstore, and the rather sardonic, world weary manager revealed a softer side when he shared his love of this book with me. It's a charming story set sometime in the early 1900's about a boy mouse named Hubie, who is so excited to visit The Sea View Hotel (gorgeously rendered as a beautiful multi-balconied, many turreted Victorian mansion) with his parents, only to be crest-fallen when he learns there are no other children, and is constantly shushed by adults and not allowed to join the croquet tournament. His vacation seems doomed to gloomy boredom until he befriends the hotel's caretaker who welcomes his companionship and shows him many small marvels including wild raspberries, hermit crabs, and constellations. After not seeing the book for a couple decades, I recently found a copy of my own and brought it home in trepidation, afraid that my son wouldn't like it, but happily he adored it. This particular edition is a reissue, with the illustrations which were originally black and white rendered in color. I suspect I prefer the earlier more spare version, as the splashes of color here just look a little too messy.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Hubert's parents take him on a two-week vacation, the little mouse is glad, at first, to escape the hustle and bustle of New York City. But when he discovers that the Sea View Hotel, where they will be staying on their holiday, has no other child guests with whom he can play, and that sea-bathing is out of the question due to a stinging jellyfish infestation, he soon feels rather differently. Fortunately he meets Alf, the Sea View groundskeeper and caretaker, who takes the time to talk to him, and allows him to participate in some of the activities, from pruning bushes to fishing, that make up his days. The best of all, however, is to come, as Hubie discovers that Alf is an inventor, and has been tinkering with an incredible flying machine...

Chosen as one of our August selections for The Picture-Book Club to which I belong, where our theme this month is "traveling," The Sea View Hotel is vintage James Stevenson, with all the silly situations and cartoon-style artwork one would expect. Originally published in 1978, it is entirely done in black and white - I understand that a colorized edition was released in 1994 - and features a late Victorian setting, complete with steam-engine train. All in all, a sweet little tale of a boy on vacation, finding fun in unlikely places, and having offbeat adventures.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

An underwhelming and disappointing read for me. I felt bad for the poor kid that his parents seemed so uninvolved. I guess it's a "historical" setting, early 1900s, and probably many parents of that day and age didn't really consider their children when choosing vacation destinations, but I just found it hard to reconcile the sadness/frustration I felt in the family situation with the humorous tone of the book. I also didn't find the illustration style as charming as I had hoped (though the hotel did look lovely and made me long for a vacation in a Victorian hotel on the beach!) Oh well.

[Anne White · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun story! It reminds me of a story Ginny Yurich tells in Until the Streetlights Come On, about the time a family forgot to bring toys to the beach, and the kids had a great time improvising.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

What do children do in today's world when they are "bored"? Probably fiddle with their iphones, play some game on the computer, or watch TV. And yet there are so many other choices!

When Hurbert can't fall back on his usual play, he ends up doing something he never would have done otherwise. He seeks out the groundskeeper, and a whole new world opens up to him. This is such a valuable lesson. I cringe every time I hear a child say, "This is boring." (I'm not wild about the messy art, but it doesn't get in the way of the story.)

[Melissa.Galantosswahs.Nsw.Gov.Au · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my children's favourite books - from the 11 year old, 8 year old and 5 year old they simply love it. I was surprised that even with no colour, they talk about all the drawings, they love to take turns doing different voices and love the story. We have read this book over and over again. We talk about holidays by the sea and building planes, and making friends. It's lovely.

[Lili · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its great

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Sea View Hotel by James Stevenson is the story of
Hubert, a youngster on vacation at a resort with no children, who teams up with the handyman to have fun experiences and an adventure.

Stevenson's new illustrations were done with watercolor paints and a black pen. They definitely add to the story. My favorite images are railway station, sleeping car, ice cream, no children, grape vines, mowing, and flying series.

The color version accentuates the Victorian feel for me. I agree with other reviewers that the parents are pretty self centered, but the relationship between Hubert and Alf is a warm, rewarding one that is a delight to see. Learning about constellations, tide pools, rock skipping and flying are gifts given to Hubie by Alf. Stevenson's humor, animal characters, and silly, exaggerated situations, including this resort where everyone seems to hate kids, still appeals to me. Not my favorite Stevenson book but still entertaining. Kids may find the comic book format appealing. Marking 3 stars but is a 3.5 for me.

For ages 4 to 7, vacation, travel, ocean, beach, handymen, and fans of James Stevenson.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a charming little tale that harkens back to an older time. The illustrations are black and white, in a graphic novel format and depict an age when children were to be 'seen and not heard.' That totally reminds me of my grandmother, although I hate to admit that it's not necessarily a fond memory.

In any case, I love the bond that forms between Hubert and Alf and I love that Hubert discovers a love for aviation from his new friend. I doubt that this story would be as popular today, but considering it was first published in 1978, I can appreciate it all the more.

This story was selected as one of the books for the August 2012 - Traveling reads at the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.

[Randie D. Camp, M.S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, let me start by saying that the illustrations are definitely the highlight of the book. They almost remind me of Quentin Blake's work (one of my favorites, so perhaps I am biased, lol). Honestly, I feel this would make a lovely wordless book and some of the pages are in fact, wordless.

The beginning of the story did not hold my attention but the plot eventually picks up when Hubert meets Alf and then the real story and interest takes place. I'm not sure how relevant this book is to newer generations but I do think children, especially only-child children, will be able to connect with Hubert and relate to his initial dilemma and relish in his friendship and fun with Alf.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

As with other readers, I too, wished that the parents played a more positive role in this story of a vacation at The Sea View Hotel. At the beginning, I was thinking I might rate this only a 2. However, once Hubert meets Alf and Alf becomes a mentor and friend to Hubert, the story improved enough to give it a 3. I've enjoyed many of Stevenson's other books much more. However, the comic book style of the book may appeal to many younger readers.

[June · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hubert finds out that he is the only child vacationing at the Sea View Hotel. There are stinging jellyfish, so he can't even swim. He is having a miserable time until he comes across Alf. Alf, the hotel caretaker, shows him all the neat things to do. The ending was a little too much for me, but is probably just right for a child.

I am not sure the library's black and white copy will entice many readers, though the cartoon format might help.