written by Lauren Oakey
illustrated by Britt Van Deusen
It’s summer, and that means a family trip to visit Grandpa on the coast! Henry loves staying in the old house by the water; he loves listening to Grandpa’s stories, watching the purple martins build their nests, and of course, keeping an eye on his baby sister, Adeline. After all, that’s a big brother’s responsibility! But with little Adeline getting bigger, is it time for Henry to learn the difference between protecting someone and loving them enough to let go?
$15.95 – $26.95
Lauren Tweel Oakey lives in Richmond, Virginia, and is a graduate of the University of Virginia, where she studied world religions and Italian language. She has lived in Italy and Switzerland, has worked mostly in nonprofits, and is a lover of language and the rhythm of words. She also enjoys playing piano; practicing yoga; and spending time with her husband, three children, and very beautiful but high-maintenance black Lab.
Format: Paperback, Hardcover
Pages: 32
ISBN Paperback: 978-1-958754-50-4
ISBN Hardcover: 978-1-958754-49-8
Release date: 8/10/2023
“Adeline by the Sea is a tender portrait of the small moments that shape us into braver beings. The gentle narrator, Henry (“Bones”), transported me to the familiar bliss of childhood beach vacations, when my experiences each day inched me toward a greater understanding of how grownups and the wider world work, and how nature and family ground us all. Author Lauren Oakey and illustrator Britt Van Deusen share a gift for capturing the poignancy and wonder of these early moments in our lives. They have created a book that kids and adults can enjoy over and over again.”
—Meaghan Rady, executive producer of Brené Brown: Atlas of the Heart
“Adeline by the Sea is a celebration of morning glories, purple martins, and precious beach time with family—but it’s much more than that. In Adeline by the Sea, a story as expansive and solid as a wrap-around porch, Henry learns what it means to be a proud grandson, a protective brother to his little sister, and a person who will cheer on loved ones when they want to take wing and fly.”
—Mary E. Cronin, poet, writer, and literacy coach
“Vivid imagery and beautiful illustrations tell a heartwarming story of family, love, and hope. It’s impossible not to root for Henry as he learns what it means to be brave, and readers of all ages will appreciate the emotional and optimistic ending.”
—Stacy Hackney, author of Forever Glimmer Creek and The Sisters of Luna Island
“Adeline by the Sea is a beautiful portrait of a family creating lasting memories at the beach and is full of details that allow the reader to feel just how special each moment together is. It is also a story of a loving brother learning to cope with his feelings of protectiveness and worry, and the special relationships that help him to do so. Through the delightful illustrations and peaceful prose, the story allows children to connect with the common emotions and experiences shared by families, and to remember that letting go is an important part of growing up.”
—Kelsey Felton, school counselor
Britt Van Deusen is an artist who lives in Richmond, Virginia, with her husband and three girls (two human and one canine). Britt studied painting at the College of William & Mary and the Marchutz School in France, and she has been a portrait artist for many years. When she is not making art, Britt often reads books that feature both people and animals in starring roles; regularly cooks somewhat fancy meals; occasionally plays silly songs on her guitar; and with stunning frequency, discovers birds’ nests abandoned in nature.
