The Sea-Thing Child

by Russell Hoban, Patrick Benson (Illustrator)

One stormy night the sea-thing child, a draggled heap of scales and feathers, is flung up on the beach. Afraid of the wild waves and the storm skies, he meets a fiddler crab with no bow and together they avoid facing their fears. Finally, though, he finds his star, his courage and his ocean self.

Genres: Picture Books, Fiction, Childrens, Animals, Fantasy, American, Friendship

48 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1972

About the author

Russell Conwell Hoban was an American expatriate writer. His works span many genres, including fantasy, science fiction, mainstream fiction, magical realism, poetry, and children's books. He lived in London, England, from 1969 until his death. (Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Sienna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up a number of books while we were in the States, most of them related to my history of science and magic research 'cause I'm nothing if not obsessive. And then this: a slender children's book written by an unfamiliar author and scattered throughout with simple lines drawings by his son. It cost a quarter. I had little room in my suitcase, but after reading the inscription inside I couldn't bear the thought of returning it to the shelf:

Dear Tessa,
This book has been mine as long as I can remember. It has been my inspiration countless times when I thought I couldn't go on. (I can think of one time right now that if I had read this book, I might not have taken such a drastic action!) It is packed full of symbolism, and I learn something new each time I read it. Well, now it's yours. Take care of it, and never lose it. Happy birthday Tessa.

Love forever,
Kristin Lightner
May 3, 1984

I feel so sad for Kristin, Tessa and this slight, weighty little book, but so lucky to have stumbled upon it. Pick up a copy for your kids or yourself and read it slowly over a cup of cocoa on a cold night.

[Mathew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have recently become a huge fan of Hoban and I'm not sure what it is about his writing that I love so much. There is something in the words he uses and the questions he asks us to ponder that seem to stay with me long, long after I have read the book. All his work is definitely touched with the philosophical and I believe that with children and careful questioning, his books could throw out some fascinating questions about ourselves and life.
This edition that I have is the first print and was illustrated by his son but I see there has been reprints with different illustrations - it will be interesting to compare.
I know full well that he won't be to everyone's liking because he's not easy or clear. He never really ends his stories, as such, but rather leaves you to ponder yet I don't think it can be argued that he's a master wordsmith. The story opens wonderfully:

'The wind was howling, the sea was wild, and the night was black when the storm flung the sea-thing child up on the beach. In the morning the sky was fresh and clean, the beach was littered with seaweed, and there he lay - a little black heap of scales and feathers, all alone.'

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hoban has done a lot of very interesting stuff. Some I love, some I don't want to go near.

So far I'm liking this, as the last line on the first page is "He was nothing but a little draggled heap of fright." Well, actually, the first wordless spread is wonderful art, too, and I'm excited to see the rest by Benson.
.............
Welp, alrighty then. Pretty deep & metaphorical & poetical and all. I bet some readers feel it in their hearts, treasure it. I can appreciate much of it, but much more is surely there. Maybe if I'd encountered it when younger. Maybe if I read it aloud, to children, several times.

Ok, I'm off to see what other reviewers think. You'll have to decide for yourself.

[Emkoshka · Rating 2 out of 5]

So I feel there was some deep and philosophical message here about tapping into inner courage and strength to find your way in life ('The finding is in me, and the finding finds the way'), but I was bored. A feathery, scaly bird creature and a fiddler crab talk riddles on a beach while the creature builds stone igloos. An eel and an albatross come to visit and impart wisdom. I feel like I just read a Zen koan.

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Deceptively simple, it reminds me strongly of Antoine de Saint-Exup‚ry's The Little Prince. This is the sort of short fable that stays with the reader and becomes more meaningful over time. Probably not a great choice for elementary children - on the surface, it could be mistaken for a rather boring picture book.

[Skye · Rating 4 out of 5]

sweet and kind of aimless story book

[Kristal · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read on archive.org

I’m sure there’s a deeper meaning to this story, but I am not a big animal lover already and I found this to be boring and long winded.

[Awjtf · Rating 3 out of 5]

very interesting book.

[Beverly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story; lovely illustrations which really make the book.

[Saffron Moon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This rating is for the edition illustrated by Patrick Benson.

[Saffron Moon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This rating is for the edition illustrated by Brom Hoban.

[JKR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Patrick Benson’s illustrations perfectly complement the text (even more so than Quentin Blake’s do the Marzipan Pig).

[Kali · Rating 2 out of 5]

Patrick Benson's artwork is lovely, but the story... It feels like it's meant to have some sort of deep meaning, but whatever it is, it's lost on me.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

something about this book was so profound and magical. I immediately wanted to read it again and again and soak it in!

[Beth Icard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Utterly bizarre.

[Thomasin Propson · Rating 1 out of 5]

What was this? How is it part of the 'must read' for children's lit? blegh. What, you say, is not to like? Well: the size of book [too big/wide]; the font [too round/ugly]; the pictures [if anything, they were the best part, but I didn't like them]; the characters [there are only 3, really, and one is dull and pathetic, one is sad and boring, and the other is aloof and not even really part of the story]; and the plot [creature is washed-up on shore, scared, meets another creature, they play sometimes but aren't really friends, another someone comes by to say what's up and then the first creature moves on with their life].

[Skylar Burris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written, pleasant to read aloud, philosophical, and symbolic. This is a story about facing and conquering your fears and being what you were made to be. It’s not something most young children will be able to appreciate, however. Although they may catch some of the nuances, the book will in large part be over their heads and may even bore them. This is one of those children’s books that seems to be meant for adults, and unlike, say, A Wish For Wings That Work (an Opus adventure, of all things), I do not think it works well on both adult and child levels. But I really enjoyed reading it to my daughter, and she at least sat through it and said she thought it was a good book. I know, however, that it's not something she'll be asking me to read again.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. More for myself than for little man. The sea-thing child washes up on shore one night and thus begins his journey of self-discovery with the fiddler crab. The characters in this book represent parts of every person. Sea-Thing Child is lost, confused, and slowly working his way out of the isolation of his rock igloo. Crab is overly emotional and irrational. Albatros is strong, confident, and completly self assured.

This was all beyond my little guy, but the fiddler crab's constant crying was enough to entertain him.

[Shelli · Rating 1 out of 5]

I realized a quarter of the way into this VERY LONG picture book that neither I nor my daughter was enjoying it. However, I continued because I figured something amazing was bound to happen. This book has numerous reviews of praise; people are often mistaken. Yes, deep down there is some metaphor to life, overcoming obstacles, or not letting your fears get in your way down the path of life… but could less whiny more affable characters have been used to convey this message?? The seagull was very Zen that is about the only nice thing I can say other than the illustrations were quiet stunning.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 3 out of 5]

The little sea-thing child is dropped off by the ocean on the shoreline and he is too afraid to try flying back or swimming back to whence he came. Luckily he meets a fiddler crab and an eel and an albatross and the conversations with his new friends help him find the courage to head home. A quietly clever story.

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably my favorite book of Hoban's. It's innocent and creative enough for a child; but poignant and poetic for an adult. Timeless as it relates to life. Fits into the classics of Jonathan Livingston Seagull, The Prophet, and The Alchemist.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

An adult, poetic book that explores words and emotions of the world of the sea and beach. Gentle, thoughtful children will likely enjoy it, while busier, twitchier kids will likely be bored after the first page.

[Tanya · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this twice. It sometimes takes courage to do what you are destined to do and not overthink it or allow fear to get in your way. This book is more enjoyable with a repeat reading. The illustrations are wonderful.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this in the morning in five minutes with your cup of coffee. The second edition has beautiful pictures.

[Elizabeth]

The sea-thing child by Russell Hoban (1999), 2nd U.S. ed

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this to Meena the other night. This is by far one of the deepest children's stories I've read. Go to the library today and get this.

[Joe Kuth · Rating 4 out of 5]

My rating is for the first edition with lovely, minimal illustrations by Abrom Hoban. I find the newer Patrick Benson illustrated edition off-putting, and too literal.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully whimsical and strangely touching story about the friendship between the Sea Thing Child and a fiddler crab. Wonderful!

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

magical.

[Kami · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book.