Song of the Sea: The Graphic Novel

Gr 3-7–A lovely adaptation of the 2014 fantasy movie of the same name, this graphic novel expertly recaptures the magic of the Irish folktale. Ten-year-old Ben, his six-year-old sister Saoirse (who does not speak), and their father are still grieving the loss of the children’s mother, who disappeared the night Saoirse was born. When their grandmother takes them away to the city to raise them, they escape and find out that Saoirse is a selkie who will wither away unless led back to her seal coat and the ocean. This lyrical story about love and family ties is delightful. Illustrated to replicate the hand-drawn movie, the pages of lush blue and green colors transport readers to the Irish seaside, while the dull grays show characters’ dissatisfaction with being in the city. The fantastical creatures the children meet as they journey back home are sure to enchant.