My Friend, the Sea

MY FRIEND, THE SEA is the fictional story of a boy in the aftermath of the tsunami that hit several countries on December 26, 2004. It could also be the story of any child anywhere whose life is closely linked with nature- a book that attempts to offer a way of healing for those devastated by calamities, and a way of understanding for those who watch from a distance. The Kreuzberger Kinderstiftung, which awarded the book the Ambitious Children's Book Project prize at the Berlin Children and Youth Literature Festival, translated the story into German. The Hindi, Tamil and Kannada translations have been extensively used by groups working with children all over India. A reading of the book in English was also broadcast by the BBC, UK, on the first anniversary of the tsunami
The story is sketched out from the perspective of the young boy in clear and non-dramatic language, from his enthusiasm for the sea to the lear that it suddenly brought about, and of the hope-in spite of all the odds- that he slowly builds up again. The text brings to life this catastrophe and gives a clear picture of the people affected by the tsunami. It hardly requires mention that it goes beyond any report that has appeared in the media. We also find it a classic example of how books can create associations/connections across borders."
"It is noteworthy that a book that is so culture specific-located as it is in a fishing village in Tamil Nadu, with all its local and flavour - has garnered international recognition. This perhaps is because the sensitive writing transcends any such borders and makes the experience universal.
"The book is a positive portrayal of emotions that come alive after tragedy - The Hindu

"Sandhya Rao uses a language that is simple, child-like, yet not paternalistically or patronisingly so…
The non-intrusive photographs by Karuna Sesh and Pervez Bhagat enhance the book