The Music of the Sea

by Susanna Isern, Marta Chicote (Illustrator)

Limanda was a tiny fishing village. Life was quiet there, and its inhabitants, mainly fishermen, lived happily gathering what the land and sea provided. When a terrible storm destroys the crops and drives the fish away, everyone was devastated and decided to leave their home to find a prosperous future elsewhere. Limanda was empty, but not entirely. Daniel, a fisherman who felt a deep love for his land, decided to stay, together with his daughter Marina, despite knowing that life in Limanda would be very hard and lonely. Determined to do his best to change his fate, one night Daniel sneaked out of the house to surprise Marina. Wait, had you lost hope? The incredible music of the sea always sounds to change the course of life of those who are willing to listen to it.

Genres: Picture Books, Music

24 pages, Hardcover

Published September 1, 2017

About the author

Susanna Isern Íñigo

Reviews

[Julian Vena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Winner of the "medalla de oro" - moonbeam children's book awards 2017, La Musica del Mar is a wonderful story of the power of music and its influence on cultivating hope in the face of trying times. In this story, a girl named Marina lives with her father named Daniel in a small coastal town. After the town is hit by a fierce hurricane and a fish scarcity presents itself, all of the people leave, except them. Daniel is stubborn and is certain the fish will return and that life will return to normal. Marina is depressed by the loneliness of their new reality until she learns of her fathers surprise. A pier is made into an organ that resonates with beautiful music created by the soaring winds and harmonious waves! She goes to the pier every day to listen to music as a way of overcoming her loneliness. Soon, even the whales begin to enjoy the music. Overjoyed by the sounds, the whales take Marina on magical rides in the ocean. When Daniel finally gives up on his town, the fish arrive in a plentiful fashion. The townspeople return and the gift of music remains as a symbol of perseverance and the act of finding beauty in the face of adversity.

This magical book could serve well in a music appreciation course as well as a lesson for teaching perseverance in the face of adversity. As a musician myself, I enjoyed this book. I could relate to the healing powers of music and the idea that nature can be a creator of music. This is a well written book by a Spanish speaking author, therefore the Spanish is authentic, not a translation.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's another lovely book about a village by the sea, and this time it's a beautiful fantasy. Perhaps it's serendipity, but the early story here reminds me of the Puerto Rico disaster. Lemonsea is a small village where few people live, but those there, including Daniel and his daughter, Marina. A huge storm comes and destroys most of the town, and most townspeople move away. Daniel decides to stay which makes Marina very sad, and of course, lonely for her friends. The magic comes when Daniel gives Marina a surprise, out by the sea, a collection of pipes that use wave action to make music. It is magical and Marina is happy again though still lonely. Then the magic happens because the music draws two white whales in close and Marina greets them, eventually begins to ride them in the night and they return her in the morning. This magic may be a dream, but reading the story so beautifully illustrated by Marta Chicote pleased me. The colors of the sea dominate, with emphasis on one special moment in the text shown on the pages. Music can be powerful indeed!

[Jana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This lovely picture book tells the story of how one man’s desire to make his daughter happy through music helped restore the life of a seaside village. The seaside village had been damaged by a big storm, so much so that all of the fish left for calmer waters. When the father carved holes in the quay to make beautiful music whenever the tide rolled in, wonderful changes took place. This story has great messages about patience and hope.

[Liana Sabău · Rating 4 out of 5]

,,De atunci, viaţa în Limanda a devenit mai plăcută pentru Marina. Muzica mării, mereu diferită, o însoţea pretutindeni.
Uneori îi amintea de sunetul din turnul unei catedrale cu multe clopote. Alteori i se părea că vede o barcă ce se apropia de sat. Îşi imaginase şi un cor de copii. Şi chiar şi o operă autentică din Viena.,,

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book!

The author and illustrator do a fabulous job conveying the story and it was almost as if I was drifting in the sea, listening to the sounds of the sea organ.

[Cat Fithian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mystical, magical, musical, mythical story. So very lovely. Music, whales, family.

[Wayne Oyama · Rating 4 out of 5]

wonderful children's book. I bought it for my grown-up daughter who's studying to be a music therapist.