Surf War!: A Folktale from the Marshall Islands

By Margaret Read MacDonald

Book Overview

A Folktale from the Marshall Islands.

Surfs up Sandpiper finds her daily stroll on the beach interrupted by Whale, who boasts that he is ruler of the sea. Sandpiper responds with equal bravado, asserting her rights to the sand and seawater. Soon the rivals are calling in their cousins, and the beach and sea are filled with shorebirds and sea mammals of every stripe.

The standoff grows ominous as Whale leads his cousins in an assault on the beach, eating the sand from under the birds. Sandpiper retaliates by ordering her cousins to drink up the ocean. Soon the landscape is filled with fish, crabs, and sea creatures gasping for survival. How will this end? The outcome of this timely yet timeless nature tale suggests that we are all connected in the ecological chain.These Pacific folktales will teach readers the importance of citizenship, respect and sharing.

Award-winning author, Margaret Read MacDonald's trademark playful prose captures the misguided rivalry of the characters while Val rio's frame expands to portray the conflict on the rapidly eroding beach.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0874838894
• ISBN13: 9780874838893
• Release Date: July 2009
• Publisher: August House Publishers
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 8.6" x 11.1"
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

A re-purposed version of a nature tale of Micronesia

Written by Margaret Read MacDonald and illustrated by Geraldo Valerio, "Surf War!" is a re-purposed version of a nature tale of Micronesia that teaches children how to use conflict resolution and ecological stewardship to tackle problems that arise from a failure to understand that all creatures (including humans) are related in ecology. In fact, the food chain relationship makes it very much in everyone's best interest to learn the very best ways to take care of our natural environment, earth and seas. When Whale and Sandpiper learn that they must learn to share and care for their beautiful ocean bay area together, a contented child can sigh and safely drift off to sleep.

people to the east, west, north and south would love this book!

Becoming a huge fan of Margaret MacDonald after reading 'Go To Bed Gecko'. Surf War is incredibly addictive for both the reader and the listener. We have already added body movement to the story and the little ones can recite many of the lines without the book. The title and cover is not the most exciting, but the illustrations inside are simple, whimsical and beautiful. I highly recommend this book!