A Drop of the Sea

Written by Ingrid Chabbert · Illustrated by Raul Nieto Guridi

Ali embarks on a journey to fulfill his great-grandmother's dream of seeing the sea.

4.0/5 Goodreads · 254 ratings

36 pages· 614 words· Est. 7 min read-aloud

$16.99Save 7%

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Bookroo's summary

Ali lives with his great-grandmother at the desert's edge. When he learns her dream of seeing the sea remains unfulfilled, he sets out with a pail to bring the ocean to her. Can Ali's determination and love make the impossible possible? This touching tale of devotion and dreams explores the power of kindness and the lengths one will go to for family. Set against the backdrop of North Africa, Ali's journey is a testament to courage and compassion, inviting readers to reflect on their own acts of love and generosity.

From the publisher

Ali lives with his great-grandmother in a tiny clay house at the edge of the desert. Just her and him. Just him and her. They don’t need anything more to be happy. But lately, Ali has begun to notice how his great-grandmother has aged. And one day, he asks if her life’s dreams have come true. All except one, she tells him. She had a dream to see the sea, but now she is too old to go. So, the next morning, Ali sets off with a pail in hand. He is going to make his great-grandmother’s final dream come true. He is going to bring the sea to her. The much-loved duo Ingrid Chabbert and Guridi have created a gorgeous intergenerational tale about devotion and dreams coming true at any age. The love Ali feels for his great-grandmother is universal, and children everywhere will recognize their own best selves in Ali’s heroic act of kindness. With the makings of a classic, this is one of those quiet stories that will stay with readers, young and old, long after they’ve put it down. Set in North Africa, it would make an excellent choice for a social studies lesson on exploring global cultures. It also works perfectly for character education lessons on compassion or courage.

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