Seaside Dream

By Janet Costa Bates, Lambert Davis
Paperback: $11.95

In this tender story of immigration, a young girl finds a way to give her grandmother the perfect present and the courage to plan a trip to her home country, Cape Verde.

Description

Tomorrow is Grandma’s birthday, and the house is overflowing with family and friends. Hugs, laughter, and the smells of delicious food fill the air as everyone gets ready for a beach party. Cora is excited, but she is also worried because she still does not have a present for Grandma. Cora cannot think of anything special enough.

Cora knows her grandmother misses her home country, Cape Verde. After a nighttime walk on the beach with Grandma, Cora finally comes up with an idea for the perfect gift. It is one that both of them will always remember-and a way to help Grandma reconnect with faraway family.

Winner of Lee & Low’s New Voices Award Honor, Seaside Dream celebrates a treasured relationship between child and grandparent. Set in a lush, coastal neighborhood, this contemporary story lovingly affirms family bonds that transcend age and distance and warmly captures the joy of giving from the heart.

About the Creators

Janet Costa Bates

Janet Costa Bates has been recognized by Highlights for Children as an Author of the Month. Her prize-winning fiction has been published in Highlights and in Pockets magazine. Seaside Dream was inspired by Bates’s grandmother, who came to the United States from Cape Verde. Like Cora and Grandma in the story, Bates loves to spend time at the beach. This is her first book. She lives with her family in Massachusetts and can be found on the Web at janetcostabates.com.

Lambert Davis

Lambert Davis has illustrated numerous books for children, including the best-selling The Jolly Mon and Whales Passing, a Parents’ Choice Recommended title. Born in Hawaii and having spent many years living near the ocean in California, Davis often creates artwork that reflects the beauty of the sea. When not painting, he enjoys surfing, sailing, and traveling. Davis now lives with his wife and their two sons on the southeastern coast of Australia. His Web site is lambertdavis.com.

Awards

  • New Voices Award Honor

    Lee & Low Books

Reviews

  • "A moving portrayal of a grandparent-grandchild relationship as well as a distinctive take on universal aspects of immigration."

    - Kirkus Reviews
  • "First-time author Bates debuts with a story, inspired by her own family history, about relationships that stretch across many years and great distances. . . . The close-knit nature of Cora's family shines through in Bates's prose, which is peppered with references to Cape Verdean cuisine and traditions. . . . the beach setting is vibrant and lush, and the strength of Cora and her grandmother's relationship emanates from nearly every page."

    - Publishers Weekly
  • "Davis's realistic acrylic paintings are filled with warmth and the colors of the sea. The marvelous illustrations have vigor and the tidbits of Cape Verdean culture make this picture book valuable for multicultural representation."

    - School Library Journal

Paperback

  • ISBN 9781620142561
  • Publication Date May 01, 2016
  • Trim Size 10 × 8.5 in
  • Weight 0.375 lbs
  • Page Count 32
  • Hardcover

  • ISBN 9781600603471
  • Publication Date Apr 01, 2013
  • Trim Size N/A
  • Weight 0.9375 lbs
  • Page Count 32
  • Interests

  • Audience Children
  • BISAC Category 1 JUV / Family / Multigenerational
  • BISAC Category 2 JUV / Social Themes / Emigration & Immigration
  • BISAC Category 3 JUV / People & Places / Africa
  • Themes African / African American / Black, Childhood Experiences and Memories, Dreams & Aspirations, Empathy / Compassion, Families, Fiction, Friendship, Grandparents, Gratitude, Holidays / Traditions, Home, Imagination, Immigration, Kindness / Caring, Overcoming Obstacles, Persistence / Grit, Pride, Realistic Fiction, Sharing & Giving
  • Reading Levels

  • Age Range Ages 6 - 10
  • Grade Range Grades 1 - 5
  • Guided Reading P
  • ATOS Book Level 3.6
  • DRA 38
  • Interest Level Grades 1 - 5
  • Lexile Code AD
  • Lexile Level 570
  • Reading Level 3
  • Bebop Reading Fluent
  • This Book is Included in These Collections:

    • 15
      New Voices Award Winners & Honors Collection
      Collection of 15 books: $198.25

      Finding the Music / En pos de la música

      Bilingual English/Spanish. In this cheerful book, a determined Latina girl accidentally breaks her grandfather's vihuela and ventures into her community to find someone who can fix the instrument, leading her to discover his legacy as a mariachi player.

      The Electric Slide and Kai

      Kai is the only member of his family who can't get the dance steps to the Electric Slide right. But Kai is determined to bust a move in this fun and sweet celebration of African American families.

      Sixteen Years in Sixteen Seconds

      The inspirational true story of Sammy Lee, a Korean American who overcame discrimination to realize both his father's desire that he become a doctor and his own dream of becoming an Olympic champion diver.

      It Jes' Happened

      The inspiring biography of self-taught (outsider) artist Bill Traylor, a former slave who at the age of eighty-five began to draw pictures based on his memories and observations of rural and urban life in Alabama.

      Seaside Dream

      In this tender story of immigration, a young girl finds a way to give her grandmother the perfect present and the courage to plan a trip to her home country, Cape Verde.

      Janna and the Kings

      Saturdays are special for Janna. That's when she and Granddaddy spend the whole day together.

      Love Twelve Miles Long

      A moving story about young Frederick Douglass and his mother, who walks twelve miles at night from a nearby plantation to visit him.

      Raymond's Perfect Present

      When he tries to surprise his sick mother with flowers that he grew, a Chinese American boy receives a nice surprise of his own.

      Bird

      In this gentle, award-winning picture book, an African American boy nicknamed Bird uses drawing as a creative outlet as he struggles to make sense of his grandfather's death and his brother's drug addiction.

      Ghosts for Breakfast

      When the Troublesome Triplets complain that they have seen ghosts in Farmer Tanaka's field, Papa sets off with his son to hunt the ghosts in this fun story set in 1920s California.

      Take a Picture of Me, James Van Der Zee!

      A biography of James Van Der Zee, innovative and celebrated African American photographer of the Harlem Renaissance.

      Juna's Jar

      After Juna's best friend moves away, Juna, an imaginative Korean American girl, goes on magical adventures by way of her special kimchi jar.

      As Fast As Words Could Fly

      The story of Mason Steele, an African American boy in 1960s Greenville, North Carolina, who relies on his inner strength and his typing skills to break racial barriers after he begins attending a "whites-only" high school.

      The Blue Roses

      A modern-day Native American girl learns to understand the cycle of life after her grandfather dies.

      The Three Lucys

      After a young Lebanese boy loses one of his beloved cats when his village comes under attack, he must learn to cope with loss and hope for a peaceful future.

      1434 in stock

    • 48
      Realistic Fiction Collection Grades PreK-2
      Collection of 48 books: $580.60

      Home At Last

      A sympathetic tale of a mother-daughter bond and overcoming adversity, brought to life by the vivid illustrations of Felipe Davalos.

      Bringing Asha Home

      A biracial Asian Indian American boy finds his own special way to bond with his sister while the family awaits her adoption from India.

      The Blue Roses

      A modern-day Native American girl learns to understand the cycle of life after her grandfather dies.

      Janna and the Kings

      Saturdays are special for Janna. That's when she and Granddaddy spend the whole day together.

      The Happiest Tree

      Meena is excited about the class play, a new and improved version of Red Riding Hood.

      Sam and the Lucky Money

      During Chinese New Year, a young boy encounters a homeless person and discovers that no gift is too small when it comes from the heart.

      Seaside Dream

      In this tender story of immigration, a young girl finds a way to give her grandmother the perfect present and the courage to plan a trip to her home country, Cape Verde.

      First Come the Zebra

      The story of two young Kenyan boys, one Maasai and one Kikuyu, who find a way to overcome their traditional rivalries and become friends.

      The Birthday Swap

      A Mexican American girl looks for the perfect birthday gift for her sister and ends up with a big surprise of her own.

      Estela's Swap

      A Mexican American girl learns to value the act of giving when she attends her first swap meet.

      Abuela's Weave

      This touching story of personal growth and family pride is illustrated with authentic Guatemalan scenery that gives life to the country's radiant landscape and bustling city streets.

      Where On Earth is My Bagel?

      A young Korean boy gets a craving for a New York bagel and goes on a journey to fulfill his hunger.

      Destiny's Gift

      Destiny loves words, and her favorite place in the world is Mrs. Wade's bookstore, where words abound.

      Hot, Hot Roti for Dada-ji

      Overflowing with family, food, and a tall stack of fun, Hot, Hot Roti for Dada-ji is sure to warm the heart and tickle the tummy. A fun way for children to learn about the cultural traditions and foods of India to be enjoyed by the whole family.

      Music Time (Confetti Kids #4)

      In this early chapter book in the popular Confetti Kids series, Henry tries to find a place where he can practice his drums without disturbing his mom.

      Block Party (Confetti Kids #3)

      In this early chapter book in the popular Confetti Kids series, the neighborhood is having a block party and Padma worries that her friends won't like her mom's lentil soup.

      Sparkle Boy

      Young Casey loves sparkly things, just like his older sister, who does not approve until an encounter with teasing bullies helps her learn to accept and respect Casey for who he is.

      The Hula-Hoopin' Queen

      A spunky African American girl has a hula-hooping competition with her friends in Harlem, and soon everyone in the neighborhood--young and old alike--joins in on the fun.

      Drummer Boy of John John

      The perfect book for aspiring young drummers, where a young boy in Trinidad discovers he can create tunes on discarded metal tins, and goes on to win the Carnival band competition.

      When Aidan Became a Brother

      This sweet and groundbreaking picture book, winner of the 2020 Stonewall Book Award, celebrates the changes in a transgender boy's life, from his initial coming-out to becoming a big brother.

      No Mush Today

      The sweet story a young girl who rebels against eating mushy cereal for breakfast every day by leaving her parents and baby brother to spend the day with her grandmother, then realizes home isn't so bad after all.

      A Morning with Grandpa

      In this sweet, slice-of-life story, a curious and active Asian American girl spends the day learning tai chi from her grandfather, and in turn tries to teach him how to do yoga.

      The Three Lucys

      After a young Lebanese boy loses one of his beloved cats when his village comes under attack, he must learn to cope with loss and hope for a peaceful future.

      Calling the Water Drum

      A moving story about a family's attempt to flee Haiti in a boat, and a young boy who bravely learns to navigate a new world through playing his drum.

      Raymond's Perfect Present

      When he tries to surprise his sick mother with flowers that he grew, a Chinese American boy receives a nice surprise of his own.

      Under the Lemon Moon

      One night, Rosalinda is awakened by a noise in the garden.

      Butterflies for Kiri

      A Japanese American girl grows creatively and, with perseverance, masters the art of making an origami butterfly. Includes instructions.

      Elizabeti's Doll

      A young Tanzanian girl finds a special doll, and realizes how much she loves the doll when she almost loses her.

      Mama Elizabeti

      A girl in Africa learns how to help take care of her younger siblings, including a new baby sister.

      Elizabeti's School

      In this contempory Tanzanian story, author Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen and artist Christy Hale once again bring the sweet innocence of Elizabeti to life. Readers are sure to recognize this young child's emotions as she copes with her first day of school and discovers the wonder and joy of learning.

      David's Drawings

      A shy young African American boy makes friends in school by letting his classmates help with his drawing of a bare winter tree.

      Rainbow Joe and Me

      A girl learns the power of imagination from her blind neighbor.

      When This World Was New

      An uplifting story about a young boy overcoming his fears and embracing his new home in America.

      Grandma's Purple Flowers

      An African American girl who cherishes her frequent visits to her favorite Grandma finds a way to remember her grandmother with hope and joy after she passes away.

      Willie Wins

      In this heart-warming story, a boy gets beyond peer pressure and comes to appreciate the depth of his father's love. First-time author Almira Astudillo Gilles teams up with artist Carl Angel to create an inspiring and suspenseful story. Young readers will be cheering for Willie all the way.

      Saturday At the New You

      A girl spends the day at her mother's hair salon, a neighborhood gathering place.

      King for a Day

      Malik, a Pakistani boy who uses a wheelchair, is excited to compete in the annual kite-flying festival of Basant. Can his kite defeat the bully's and make him "King" of the festival?

      Babu's Song

      The story of a young Tanzanian boy who learns a lesson about family love after selling the special music box his grandfather made for him.

      Christmas Makes Me Think

      An African American boy considers the meaning of giving and sharing and comes to understand the true spirit of Christmas.

      Lily's New Home (Confetti Kids #1)

      In this early chapter book in the popular Confetti Kids series, Lily and her parents move from their suburban neighborhood to New York City and Lily must adapt to her new life.

      Want to Play? (Confetti Kids #2)

      In this early chapter book in the popular Confetti Kids series, a diverse group of kids decide to play pretend. There's no limit to what they imagine they can be!

      Two Mrs. Gibsons

      Two Mrs. Gibsons is author Toyomi Igus's tender and touching tribute to the two most important women in her life--her Japanese mother and her African American grandmother.

      Sweet Potato Pie

      In this fictional story set in the South in the 1920s, an African American girl and her family sell Mama's sweet potato pies at the Harvest Celebration to raise money and save their farm.

      The Have a Good Day Café

      Early each morning Mike and his family drive to the city with their food cart.

      Cora Cooks Pancit

      Cora and Mama work together to cook up pancit for the family in this celebration of Filipino heritage and foods.

      Grandfather Counts

      In this contemporary intergenerational story, a biracial girl and her Chinese grandfather overcome language differences and develop a special bond.

      Singing with Momma Lou

      A young African American girl helps her grandmother, who suffers from Alzheimer's disease, regain some of her memories.

      Chachaji's Cup

      Neel loves listening to Chachaji's many stories over steaming cups of tea.

      1222 in stock

    • 194
      Fluent Dual Language
      Collection of 194 books: $2,418.30

      Amelia's Road

      A girl from a migrant worker family overcomes the hardship of moving by creating a special place for herself.

      Baseball Saved Us: 25th Anniversary Edition

      Twenty-five years ago, Baseball Saved Us changed the picture-book landscape with its honest story of a Japanese American boy in an internment camp during World War II. This anniversary edition will introduce new readers to this modern-day classic.

      Caravan

      Through the story of ten-year-old Jura's first caravan trip with his father, Lawrence McKay, Jr. describes the adventures one boy experiences on the journey to young adulthood.

      Catching the Moon

      The spirited story of Marcenia Lyle, the African American girl who grew up to become "Toni Stone," the first woman to play for an all-male professional baseball team.

      Celebrate! Connections Among Cultures

      A photographic exploration comparing celebrations in seven indigenous world cultures and the United States, highlighting common rituals such as body decoration, music, and dance.

      Coming to America

      A photo-essay of a Muslim family from Egypt; their experiences living in America; and the sacrifices they make to have a better life.