To the Sea
by Cale Atkinson
Disney Hyperion (June 2, 2015)
Audience: Ages 3 to 5
Fiction * Friendship * Perseverance
Indiebound | WorldCat
About the book:
Sometimes Tim feels invisible at school-until one day, when Tim meets Sam. But Sam isn’t just any new friend: he’s a blue whale, and he can’t find his way home! Returning Sam to the sea is hard work, but Tim is determined to help. After all, it’s not every day you meet a new friend! This picture book about the power of friendship by new talent Cale Atkinson is brought to life by charming, dynamic illustrations.
Quick thoughts on the book:
A few months ago, a bookseller friend placed the F&G (folded & gathered) version of TO THE SEA into my hands and told me how much she loved this book and that I must read it. I sat down right there in the store and read the story of a little boy and a big blue whale and a dilemma. When I got to the end, I had fallen in love with the characters, the story, the illustrations, and everything about this book.
Don't you just love the image here of Tim offering Sam a glass of water?
There are so many moments and emotions that children will relate to in this story.
Can you imagine pedaling a tricycle fast enough to move a whale?
You can pick up a copy of TO THE SEA at your local indie bookstore or public library. Hope you enjoy this friendship story as much as I did.
Interview with Cale Atkinson:
If you could describe your book in 2 sentences, how would you describe it to someone?
TO THE SEA is about a boy named Tim who feels alone, until one day he meets Sam, a big lost whale outside his school. The two see each other for who they really are, and soon become friends, with Tim promising to help Sam get back to the sea.
TO THE SEA has an element of friendship, belonging, or the hope for something very special, what did you draw on to get the emotional element just right in the story?
For the emotion and feeling I wanted in the story I mostly drew from my own personal experiences in the past feeling ‘unseen’ or not fitting in. I think we all yearn for that connection of feeling seen for who we are and how heavy it can feel if we don’t have it. I tried to think back to how that really felt and how much it all can change once you find that connection or friend.
Any new projects that you are working on that you can share with us?
Yes indeed! I have a second book coming next year with Disney Hyperion titled ‘Explorers of the Wild’, which I wrote and illustrated.
Also in 2016 look out for a book I illustrated with Tundra Books titled ‘If I had a Gryphon’ (With writing by Vikki VanSickle) as well as a book I illustrated and wrote called ‘Maxwell the Monkey Barber’ with OWL Books. Woo hoo!
Summer and vacations go hand-in-hand. If you could go on vacation with your favorite book character (either in your own book or from someone else's book) who would you vacation with and what would you do?
Tough Question!
I’m going to go with a more recent character that I adore from Emily Hughes’ book ‘Wild’. The main character is an untameable girl raised by animals who belongs out in the wild, not cooped up in a house. For vacation we would go run around the wild outdoors, hang out in giant tree branches and play with all the animals!
About the author:
Cale Atkinson wanted to be a whale when he grew up, but chose to be an artist and animator once he realized it was impossible. This is his first book. Visit Cale online at www.cale.ca or on Twitter @2dCale.
Thank you to Disney Hyperion for offering a giveaway of this very special book. To enter the giveaway, please complete the rafflecopter below. Winners must be 13 years or older and have an US mailing address.