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Sofia e il Mare
"Nulla è mai perduto davvero se lo conservi nel tuo cuore." È proprio questo il messaggio dell'albo scritto e illustrato dal Tom Percival. La dolce Sofia perde sulla spiaggia, durante un temporale improvviso, il suo amato e insostituibile orsetto. Solo il mare, con la sua rassicurante e silenziosa presenza, la potrà aiutare. Un libro per avvicinare i più piccoli al delicato tema della perdita grazie alla raffinatezza delle immagini e alla classicità di una storia capace di scaldare il cuore. Un albo per trasmettere il valore della speranza e dell'attesa.
- GenresPicture BooksChildrens
32 pages, Hardcover
Published May 15, 2019
1 person is currently reading
160 people want to read
About the author
Tom Percival
138 books283 followersTom Percival writes and illustrates picture books (you know, for kids) as well as illustrating books written by other people. The most well known of these is probably the excellent Skulduggery Pleasant series by Derek Landy.
He grew up in a remote and beautiful part of South Shropshire. On reflection this seemed rather more remote than beautiful, owing to the fact that he lived in a small caravan without electricity, mains water or any sensible form of heating. He thinks that he’s probably one of the few people in his peer group to have learnt to read by gas lamp.
Surprisingly enough he has never been called ‘hippy’ (to the best of his knowledge)
Tom now lives in an actual house with his girlfriend and their two young sons.
His favourite colour is turquoise and his favourite number is usually seven.
Tom has three picture books available, Tobias and the Super Spooky Ghost Book, A Home for Mr Tipps, Jack's AMAZING Shadow and a fourth, Herman's Letter will be publishing in October 2012 through Bloomsbury
He grew up in a remote and beautiful part of South Shropshire. On reflection this seemed rather more remote than beautiful, owing to the fact that he lived in a small caravan without electricity, mains water or any sensible form of heating. He thinks that he’s probably one of the few people in his peer group to have learnt to read by gas lamp.
Surprisingly enough he has never been called ‘hippy’ (to the best of his knowledge)
Tom now lives in an actual house with his girlfriend and their two young sons.
His favourite colour is turquoise and his favourite number is usually seven.
Tom has three picture books available, Tobias and the Super Spooky Ghost Book, A Home for Mr Tipps, Jack's AMAZING Shadow and a fourth, Herman's Letter will be publishing in October 2012 through Bloomsbury
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
August 4, 2020
This story made me a bit sad... it tells the story of Sofia who loved her teddy bear a lot, it first belonged to her grandfather, then her mother and then her. One day she and her father go to the faraway beach when a sudden rainstorm erupts, they head back and the bear is left on the beach, they search for it, go back to it but with no result. The sea sees the bear and decides to give it back to the young girl, after a long journey, the bear is found by a young girl who shows it to her grandmother who cries saying that this is her lost bear. The story bottom line is we don't know how or where we will get what we lost. It's bittersweet and deep.
December 7, 2020
Συγκινητική ιστορία, φοβερή εικονογράφηση και απίστευτο το εξώφυλλο, που θα μπορούσε κάλλιστα να κοσμήσει τον τοίχο ενός παιδικού δωματίου (και όχι μόνο)!
May 16, 2019
An absolutely gorgeous picture book about a girl who loses her bear and the sea who saw it happen.
I wasn't sure at first if I would like this book, I am not sure how to explain, some books I just don't get that spark. But I still wanted to try this one out because everyone of us has lost a precious teddy bear or a plushy or a toy once. While we were behind mom on the bicycle, while in the buggy on the way to the shops, or just walking. I know I did. Sadly there was no sea to try and bring me back my toy.
This one is about a little girl named Sophie. She got a very special bear that has been in the family for some time, it belonged to her mother (who is apparently not here any more). It is very precious and she takes it with her everywhere. In this book she takes it to the sea. But when a storm hits the bear falls out of the bag... and is lost. I was gasping when it happened, oh no! Poor bear!
What happens after that was just absolutely beautiful, but also sad. Sad for Sophie who may never see her bear again, and no other bear is right. Beautiful because of the sea who tries to bring the bear back. Yes, this is one sweet sea. We see the bear make a long long travel, meeting rocks, boats, animals along the way. I loved how hard the sea tried to bring back the bear to the right person.
The ending? Totally unexpected, I was just utterly surprised and then I was crying, because it was just so lovely. And no, I won't spoil anything, you will just have to read the book to find out what happens. But believe me, you will love it!
The art was pretty nice, it was very cute and fitting with the story.
All in all, this is one book I would highly recommend to everyone.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I wasn't sure at first if I would like this book, I am not sure how to explain, some books I just don't get that spark. But I still wanted to try this one out because everyone of us has lost a precious teddy bear or a plushy or a toy once. While we were behind mom on the bicycle, while in the buggy on the way to the shops, or just walking. I know I did. Sadly there was no sea to try and bring me back my toy.
This one is about a little girl named Sophie. She got a very special bear that has been in the family for some time, it belonged to her mother (who is apparently not here any more). It is very precious and she takes it with her everywhere. In this book she takes it to the sea. But when a storm hits the bear falls out of the bag... and is lost. I was gasping when it happened, oh no! Poor bear!
What happens after that was just absolutely beautiful, but also sad. Sad for Sophie who may never see her bear again, and no other bear is right. Beautiful because of the sea who tries to bring the bear back. Yes, this is one sweet sea. We see the bear make a long long travel, meeting rocks, boats, animals along the way. I loved how hard the sea tried to bring back the bear to the right person.
The ending? Totally unexpected, I was just utterly surprised and then I was crying, because it was just so lovely. And no, I won't spoil anything, you will just have to read the book to find out what happens. But believe me, you will love it!
The art was pretty nice, it was very cute and fitting with the story.
All in all, this is one book I would highly recommend to everyone.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
January 22, 2020
Such a powerful and emotional book which I would highly recommend. I really like how the illustrations and words work together to complement each other adding to the message behind the story. The key themes which are threaded throughout are: hope, determination and the belief that ‘nothing is ever truly lost if you keep it in your heart’ which has stuck with me. I really like the play on words in the title ‘the sea saw’ and think this could create some great discussions about what the author meant by this and how do we know this, having read the book and unpicked the illustrations. It was also lovely to read a book where the illustrations had been inspired from a museum. Having looked at the original images and compared them with the book this added further meaning to the story and brought it to life.
Overall a fantastic read and I cannot wait to own my own copy and place it in my classroom!
Overall a fantastic read and I cannot wait to own my own copy and place it in my classroom!
November 23, 2021
A heartwarming story about a girl losing her bear that had been passed down to her by her mother.
The main message of the story is nothing is ever truly lost if you keep it in your heart which is exactly what Sofia does.
This story could be used as a stem for an adventure story or a topic based around toys (new and old).
Also the book talks about how the ‘sea saw’ almost as though the sea is a real person - a really interesting use of personification.
The main message of the story is nothing is ever truly lost if you keep it in your heart which is exactly what Sofia does.
This story could be used as a stem for an adventure story or a topic based around toys (new and old).
Also the book talks about how the ‘sea saw’ almost as though the sea is a real person - a really interesting use of personification.
January 12, 2019
Whilst there is nothing particularly new about this particular storyline and for others this could be just a normal book, I found this book particularly heartfelt with an emotional ending and just proves you should never give up hope.
August 29, 2023
Perd son ours et le retrouve des années plus tard.
July 25, 2019
There are few things as upsetting for a child as losing their favourite toy and this book deals with just that. Sofia’s favourite teddy gets left behind after a day at the beach. Nobody noticed except the sea who ’saw’. This clever twist is not the only one in the book as an attempt to reunite the teddy with Sofia gets under way.
There’s an emotive tug at the end which is one of the most moving things I’ve seen in a children’s picture book and took me a bit by surprise.
The illustrations are first rate with multiple techniques being used to create some gloriously textured collage type imagery.
This is a very well thought through story and I wasn’t expecting it to be as powerful as it was.
It has a bitter sweet edge but I would highly recommend it.
There’s an emotive tug at the end which is one of the most moving things I’ve seen in a children’s picture book and took me a bit by surprise.
The illustrations are first rate with multiple techniques being used to create some gloriously textured collage type imagery.
This is a very well thought through story and I wasn’t expecting it to be as powerful as it was.
It has a bitter sweet edge but I would highly recommend it.
October 14, 2019
Very heart moving!
And just so lovely illustrated.
Btw: I lost my Teddy to the sea when I was four. Now I learned I just have to keep hoping...
And just so lovely illustrated.
Btw: I lost my Teddy to the sea when I was four. Now I learned I just have to keep hoping...
July 24, 2020
Very touching tale about remembering those who you’ve lost.
A nice ending.
Great illustrations
A nice ending.
Great illustrations
November 14, 2020
A really lovely story line! Beautiful illustrations and a book all children can relate to!
March 10, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
#34 of 2024
Hierdie storie was hartverskeurend pragtig!
#34 of 2024
Hierdie storie was hartverskeurend pragtig!
January 17, 2024
Sofia inherits an old bear that has belonged to her family for generations. A sad incident separates the girl from her beloved toy.
The little girl visits the coast with her father, which turns into the most splendid day until the massive storm when the bear slips from the bag. Sofia’s father comforts her by buying other bears, but nothing can replace hers as “None of them had belonged to her mother.” Presumably, her mother might have passed away, as we see her only in photos, and she didn’t participate in the picnic at sea.
The Sea looks after the bear and tries to connect it with its owner, bringing it from shore to shore and beyond. Eventually, a little girl finds it and brings it home. What a surprise! Beautiful illustrations reveal scenes from the seaside and engage the reader with mixed media created by Tom Percival using images from Rijksmuseum.
“The Sea Saw” is a story that engages children in deep feelings, mostly sadness and grief, making the text memorable for a long time. Some children will find identification in all the ‘tatty’ loved toys lost and found; for others, it might be helpful to go through feelings related to one parent household. The book is suitable for KS1 pupils reading aloud or independently, where children follow clear, easy-to-read font.
The little girl visits the coast with her father, which turns into the most splendid day until the massive storm when the bear slips from the bag. Sofia’s father comforts her by buying other bears, but nothing can replace hers as “None of them had belonged to her mother.” Presumably, her mother might have passed away, as we see her only in photos, and she didn’t participate in the picnic at sea.
The Sea looks after the bear and tries to connect it with its owner, bringing it from shore to shore and beyond. Eventually, a little girl finds it and brings it home. What a surprise! Beautiful illustrations reveal scenes from the seaside and engage the reader with mixed media created by Tom Percival using images from Rijksmuseum.
“The Sea Saw” is a story that engages children in deep feelings, mostly sadness and grief, making the text memorable for a long time. Some children will find identification in all the ‘tatty’ loved toys lost and found; for others, it might be helpful to go through feelings related to one parent household. The book is suitable for KS1 pupils reading aloud or independently, where children follow clear, easy-to-read font.
April 17, 2021
Wat die see gesien het, is 'n ouer boekie wat nou op my leeshopie beland het. Dit is geskik vir voorlees aan kinders van drie jaar en ouer, en jong selflesers kan dit ook geniet.
’n Geliefde beertjie wat ’n erfstuk is, word Sophia se allergunsteling speelding, ’n maat wat alles saam met haar doen. Totdat haar beertjie in ’n storm verlore raak en op ’n verlate strand beland. Die see sien die beer en probeer vergeefs om die beertjie weer by haar eienaar te kry. Die storie spreek verskeie emosies aan: verlies, vasberadenheid, hoop en baie belangrik: "niks is ooit weg as jy dit in hou hart hou nie."
Tom Percival was verantwoordelik vir die teks en die lieflike illustrasies. Jaco Jacobs het gesorg vir die Afrikaanse vertaling, en dit is deur Lapa uitgegee.
’n Geliefde beertjie wat ’n erfstuk is, word Sophia se allergunsteling speelding, ’n maat wat alles saam met haar doen. Totdat haar beertjie in ’n storm verlore raak en op ’n verlate strand beland. Die see sien die beer en probeer vergeefs om die beertjie weer by haar eienaar te kry. Die storie spreek verskeie emosies aan: verlies, vasberadenheid, hoop en baie belangrik: "niks is ooit weg as jy dit in hou hart hou nie."
Tom Percival was verantwoordelik vir die teks en die lieflike illustrasies. Jaco Jacobs het gesorg vir die Afrikaanse vertaling, en dit is deur Lapa uitgegee.
December 28, 2021
What a beautiful book. My heart aches just thinking about it, this book is about a little girl name Sofia who lost her favorite teddy bear and the sea saw it that she lost it and helped the teddy bear return to the rightful owner 😭😭😭….I don’t know about you but this reminds of Moana, which one of my favorite Disney movies. This is my little girl Christmas present and I’m so happy that I nailed this gift 💝. Every time I read it, I cry, my daughter looks at me like mom, why are you crying??🤷🏻♀️ I’m just a bit sentimental. 5 🌟.
April 21, 2021
Lovely story about the emotional attachment to a teddy bear and the memories/connections it holds. A young girl loses her teddy bear at the beach. The sea attempts to get the bear back to her but doesn't know who the bear belongs too. Readers see all the way the sea cares for the bear until it sends it off to rivers to keep searching. The tender ending brought tears to my eyes though I could predict what was coming.
August 15, 2025
As a mom children's books now get special attention from me and one of my favorite children's book authors is Tom Percival. I've loved his big feelings series ever since reading Ruby's Worry and Ravi's Roar, but today when I read the Sea Saw I was blown away. It's hard to explain what exactly touched me but after reading I was left audibly stunned by the beauty of this story. Very touching, but as always very valuable lessons taught
December 19, 2019
This is the best of the children books my daughter has in her collection. She bonded with the book from the first minute and she always reading it again and again. It has become my favourite also. I enjoy reading it to her every single time. The story is amazing and the drawing are fantastic. It's a piece of art altogether.
November 8, 2020
This is a beautiful story about a young girl who looses her teddy bear that was passed down to her from her mother. When she finds the bear, she has a child of her own! The message in this story is that nothing is ever truly lost, if it is in your heart. A lovely story with beautifully complementing illustrations.
January 13, 2025
A beautiful beautiful book! About bereavement and grief. It is probably a bit emotionally advanced for my 4 year olds, but I am sure they will appreciate it better as they grow. As of now, they empathised with Sophie and that's a start. Another Tom Percival book that doesn't disappoint. We have read all the books in this series, expected The River. Going to pick it up really soon.
November 4, 2019
The illustrations alone get this a 5 from me; I love the mixed styles and how the images conjure a time gone by. The story also allows for Percival to create a range of imagery - all of which he excels at.
August 3, 2020
One of my favourite books. The Teddy was passed down from her mother who (I assume) passed away when Sofia was born. Sofia looses her teddy and looks everywhere for it and she gets it back when she has her own child. It is a beautiful story!
June 4, 2021
Objektif değerlendiremiyorum çünkü 7 yaşındaki kızım bu kitabı bitirdiğimiz an ağlama krizine girdi, 1 saat boyunca sakinleşemedi, ta ki hikayenin ikinci cildi olduğuna aslında bu hikayenin bir rüya olduğuna onu ikna edene kadar. Hassas çocuklar için zor bir kitap.
May 13, 2022
Wow! What a wonderful, heartfelt story about a girl and her special teddy bear. Jake and I thoroughly enjoyed this one and the illustrations are beautiful and soft. Full review coming to my blog and #childrensbookstagram
June 22, 2022
Ik heb de Nederlandse uitgave van dit boek gelezen, ‘De zee zag het’. En ik vond het een prachtig, ontroerend prentenboek.
Op een hele mooie, eenvoudige, manier beschrijft het verlies, terugvinden en het verstrijken van tijd.
De illustraties zijn heel erg passend en mooi.
Op een hele mooie, eenvoudige, manier beschrijft het verlies, terugvinden en het verstrijken van tijd.
De illustraties zijn heel erg passend en mooi.
June 27, 2022
Started reading this book (Dutch: de zee zag het) out of the blue in my class (kindergarten) during their morning break, not knowing what it was about (they’d heard it before). It almost made me cry in front of my class. I really loved the story.
June 3, 2025
This was very satisfying. I love how the sea was personified and the connections between generations in a family. My cynical adult brain couldn’t stop thinking “but wouldn’t the bear have rotted and smelled really bad and disintegrated?!” Lovely sweet read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews