Ocean Wide, Ocean Deep by Susan Lendroth is a very unique picture book, written in the form of a rhyming poem, that tells the story of a young girl whose father has traveled across seas to participate in trade with China, and will not return for a year. As the story progresses the reader gains insight into the daily life of people in the nineteenth century as well as how a girl’s imagination can make waiting a little less difficult. When her father finally returns the girl and her family rejoice, also revealing the wonderous relationship between a father and his daughter. The illustrations are by Raul Allen, and are vastly impressive as they give images to the story Lendroth has spun, and serve to enhance the emotions behind the story.

This book is a good one for any child to read or be read to.
Reviewed by Chelsea