Far Away Across the Sea

Gr 3—5—Tellegen, a native of Holland, first crafted these 19 short stories as bedtime tales for his daughter. The low-key selections take place outdoors with plots involving interactions between anthropomorphic mammals, birds, insects, and sea creatures. A personable squirrel and ant are among the more frequently reoccurring characters. Squirrel has a conversation with a mussel and later inquisitively interviews an elephant with a secret. In one memorable story, a tree talks and walks. Ahlberg's delicate illustrations, generously intertwined with the text, add visual appeal and bring out selected details. Tellegen's gently humorous stories and Ahlberg's charming artwork are a pleasing match. The tales offer plenty of material to stimulate discussions among children and adults.—Lynn K. Vanca, Akron-Summit County Public Library, Richfield, OH