Into the Mighty Sea

by Arlene Abundis, Cynthia Alonso (Illustrator)

Overview

When Mariel’s emotions become a big sea of color, she must learn to sail through or get lost in the swells in Into the Mighty Sea by debut author Arlene Abundis and acclaimed illustrator Cynthia Alonso.

Mariel’s family is a big POP of color! But when her tíos, tías, and cousins arrive for her hermanito’s birthday party, their many besos, noises, and colors start to feel overwhelming. As Mariel’s tears grow into an ocean, she paints a boat to stay afloat and dives into the mighty sea.

When an island calls to her through the swells, she discovers sights, smells, and sounds on its shores that bring back memories of the people she loves the most to guide her back home.

Beautifully illustrated and lyrically written, Into the Mighty Sea is about a girl with big emotions who learns that sometimes taking a step back can be exactly what you need.

 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780063245921
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	06/04/2024
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	259,948
Product dimensions:	10.00(w) x 10.20(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Arlene Abundis is a Cuban American author whose work honors resilience through mental and emotional health. She has struggled with social anxiety and post-traumatic stress for over two decades. A former preschool teacher, she lives nestled with her husband and three children between the foothills of the San Gabriel mountains in California. Pastelitos that drip guava jelly, gardens, and library adventures with her kids calm the swirling thoughts of her mind.

Cynthia Alonso is an award-winning illustrator and graphic designer with roots in Buenos Aires, Argentina, currently based in Berlin. Her images are full of life, tenderness, curiosity, and vivid characters. With expertise in illustration, drawing, lettering, and design, she focuses on creating evocative visual storytelling for fiction and nonfiction children's books. Cynthia has published over ten books since 2016, and her work has been recognized by the Society of Illustrators, the Bologna Children's Bookfair, Latin American Illustration, Nami Concours, 3x3 Magazine, and more.

Editorial Reviews

05/06/2024

Color becomes metaphor and means of expression in Abundis and Alonso’s vivid story of an artistic child grappling with sensory and emotional overload. At the start of the party for narrator Mariel’s hermanito, “never-ending orange hugs,/ blushing pink besos,/ and waves of green ‘¡Holas!’/ squish my home with too many touches/ and too much noise.” The child finds solace by making art in the garden with similarly wired Papi, but when Mariel’s hermanito acts out, “red clouds ink angry thoughts” and result in a “mighty sea” of emotion. Utilizing swirling colors, thin-lined illustrations embrace surrealism in scenes of Mariel rowing a paper boat with pencil as paddle. As the child’s thoughts calm (“let it flow—then try to let it go,” Papi says), the color palette fades and red’s meaning shifts to “love.” Text and artwork alike aptly portray overwhelm in this perceptive work. An author’s note concludes. Ages 4–8. (June)

Publishers Weekly

"Alonso’s impressionistic illustrations swirl with vibrant colors and dreamlike images. Debut author Abundis offers poetic and prescient insight into social anxiety and mental wellness. This picture book will open the door to conversation and understanding." — Booklist

"A tribute to refugee families, with calmness at the heart of the story. Colorful and lively, yet peaceful, this story offers a glimpse of the hope that follows pain. Beautiful!" — Margarita Engle, Newbery Honor-winning author of The Surrender Tree and Young People's Poet Laureate Emeritus

"A lyrical, tender, and colorful ode to how a child might navigate a sea of overwhelm using art, family, and courage to heal."   — Aida Salazar, author of the Caldecott Honor book, Jovita Wore Pants 

From the Publisher