Common Sense Media Review
By Mandie Caroll
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Charming bath time book shows the power of pretend.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 2+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In OFF TO SEE THE SEA, a young child hides from their mother after she announces bath time. Dad gives away the toddler's hiding place, and mom coaxes the child into the bathroom and slips them into a "SOFT-SCENTED SEA." They then pretend about yellow monsters (a rubber ducky), diving down deep for treasure, and piloting tugboats through rough seas, among other made-up seafaring fun. Mom sneakily washes hair and unplugs the drain, and they watch the "ocean swirl away." A pool of water surrounds the tub as bath time ends, the remains of this bath time adventure, and Dad carries the youngster away to bed.
Is It Any Good?
This sweet, creative bath adventure with stunning art will enchant little daydreamers who sometimes need encouragement to do what they must. Off to See the Sea brings all the imaginative joy from Bedtime for Sweet Creatures to the oft-resisted cleaning ritual. There's a playful, pleasing rhythm to the text for the most part, and lines of text occasionally arc and smile or swirl down the drain for a touch of whimsy. As with the first book, the art is fantastic, crafted in vivid, bold colors of oil and acrylic paint with cut paper collage, lending visual interest and texture to each spread.
Adult readers who value shared parenting responsibilities may be disappointed to see that, as in Bedtime for Sweet Creatures, Dad is less involved in the work (and fun) of bath time. Aside from this snag, it's a really fun romp of a book for little ones and their adults.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how imagination works in Off to See the Sea. Does the child want to take a bath at first? Why do you think pretending helps the child enjoy the bath?
Talk about the art and words on your favorite pages. What are some interesting details you noticed? Why do you think they were drawn or printed that way?
What do you think about how the mom and dad share the work of bath time? Does it seem like each does their fair share? Why, or why not?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Elizabeth Zunon
- Genre : Picture Book
- Topics : Adventures , Book Characters , Animals ( Ocean Creatures )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
- Publication date : January 12, 2021
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 4 - 8
- Number of pages : 32
- Available on : Nook, Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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