A Sailor Went to Sea, Sea, Sea

Favourite Rhymes from an Irish Childhood

Sarah Webb author Steve McCarthy illustrator

Format:Hardback

Publisher:O'Brien Press Ltd

Published:11th Sep '17

£17.99

Available to order, but very limited on stock - if we have issues obtaining a copy, we will let you know.

A Sailor Went to Sea, Sea, Sea cover

A beautifully illustrated collection of nursery rhymes to treasure, and songs, poems and rhymes to share. Enjoy Irish favourites like ‘Brian O’Linn’ and ‘I’ll Tell Me Ma’, classics such as ‘My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean’ and ‘Monday’s Child’, silly rhymes that every child will love like ‘Beans’, ‘Pardon Me’ and ‘On Top of Spaghetti’, as well as magical verses for children written by Oscar Wilde, Oliver St John Gogarty, James Joyce and others.  

a treasure trove for child and adult readers alike

-- White Raven 2018

beguiling, wonderfully illustrated

-- Irish Mail on Sunday

a delicious treat of a book … a treasure of an anthology … filled with captivating illustrations in bold striking colours to help a little person’s imagination really lift off whether they are at reading or picture looking stage … Useful for the younger classroom, where infants would enjoy the unusual verses. The rhymes and tongue twisters would appeal to middle ages and the bright illustrations would make a great stimulus in senior art lessons. Reviewed by Orla Faulkner, Drogheda, Co Louth

* InTouch Magazine *

‘a veritable treasure trove with a smile-inducing surprise on every page … Grandparents and parents will delight in it just as much as the little ones and the vibrant, lavish double-page illustrations by Steve McCarthy really enhance the journey’

* Shinners and the Brood *

this exuberantly illustrated collection of beloved rhymes celebrates the richness of Irish and international traditional verse for children and offers a multigenerational appeal. Sarah Webb’s skilful curation of traditional rhymes is beautifully counterparted by Steve McCarthy’s vivid design

-- Patricia Kennon, Chair of the CBI Awards 2018

less of a book and more of a time machine, Sarah Webb’s latest collection will transport you back to primary school, while Steve McCarthy’s singular illustrations keep you firmly located in the twenty-first century … there is much to rediscover here … McCarthy’s illustrations are note-perfect … immense warmth and humour is palpable in each colour-drenched spread … the impressive balance of history and whimsy throughout this book skilfully preserves a vital piece of our intangible heritage while keeping the tradition alive and located in the present. A Sailor Went to Sea, Sea, Sea is the perfect vehicle to bring Irish children’s literature to the next generation at home and abroad … ideal for children, as well as their parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents

-- Inis Magazine

the compilation provides a treasure trove for young and old readers alike

-- Irish Times

a humorously illustrated read-aloud anthology … repeated recitations are a must

-- Kirkus Reviews

this wonderfully illustrated book of popular rhymes and songs will delight children and even have adults belting out a verse or two

* Irish Mail on Sunday *

a gorgeous collection of rhymes, poems and songs that will transport you back to your childhood and will delight younger readers and parents alike

* Sunday Independent *

A beautifully illustrated collection of nursery rhymes to treasure, and songs, poems and rhymes to share

* Primary Times Magazine *

gorgeously illustrated … artistic magic

* Belfast Telegraph *

beautifully illustrated and full of Irish nursery rhyme favourites, this new book will bring you straight back to you your childhood … you will love sharing this new book with your little ones

* Irish Post *

what a treat … a charming trip down memory lane all wrapped up in a beautiful, contemporary visual bow

* iloveoffset.com *

the first thing that strikes you about this gorgeous book is the arresting cover. Look closer, and you will be impressed by the range of incredible colours, the magnificent illustrations and the outstanding design

* RTEjr’s Book Club *

Sarah Webb has put together an entertaining and diverse collection of nursery rhymes, rhymes, poems and songs that will transport you back and have you humming for the rest of the day. A book to be read aloud and shared!

* RTEjr’s Book Club *

incredible and fun … the illustrations are bright and lively, setting the mood on each page… perfect to read and share

* Children’s Books Ireland Recommended Reading Guide 2017 *

a beautiful book which will capture your attention right from the superbly illustrated front cover … Each poem is individually illustrated in a style that suits each one, and the overall effect is a lively and vibrant book that will become a popular part of a child's library; once to return to over and over again

* Parents in Touch *

beautifully illustrated

* Irish Country Magazine *

a careful balance struck between virtuous and naughty … an anthology ideal for young children both here and abroad … a beautiful book sure to be appreciated by a wide audience

* Irish Times *

well-rounded and varied collection … a book that has ‘Christmas present’ written all over it … due in no small part to the striking illustrations of Steve McCarthy

* Evening Echo *

glorious ... it’s a thing of beauty

-- Kim Harte

avast, ye rapscallions, and float to worlds of rhythmic doubloons and iambic bliss

* Totally Dubl

  • Winner of Children's Book of the Year (Junior) 2017 (Ireland)
  • Winner of White Raven 2018 (Germany)

ISBN: 9781847177940

Dimensions: 280mm x 220mm x 10mm

Weight: 509g

64 pages