Seemore the Seagull

by Ralph Tufo, Amanda Grafe (Illustrator), Steve Levin (Photographer)

Overview

Seemore the Seagull is a loveable people-watcher who observes the behavior of the diverse beach-goers on Revere Beach. He wants everyone to get along no matter what color, language, shape, or size. He becomes very upset when he sees some children argue and fight about sharing sand toys and destroying each other's sandcastles. He helps them learn to cooperate, and together they build a castle that makes them all happy. By listening or reading the story, young children learn respect for diversity and the benefits of sharing and cooperation. The illustrations and photos in the book capture the essence of historic Revere Beach, the first public beach in the United States.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781950323548
Publisher:	Leaning Rock Press LLC
Publication date:	06/27/2021
Pages:	34
Sales rank:	664,931
Product dimensions:	8.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.25(d)
Age Range:	2 - 10 Years

About the Author

Ralph Tufo is a retired college professor and has been a professional musician for over 35 years. His band, The Squeezebox Stompers, tours throughout New England. He has released 11 CD recordings and has received four Boston Music Awards. In addition to writing Seemore the Seagull, he has written several short plays, over 50 songs, and 3 full-length musicals. The Katrina Roadhouse musical is about the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The musical comedy, I'd Rather Be Lucky Than Good, is about golf, fate, and friendship, and Beyond the Blues is a Zoom Production recorded in 2021 about the power of music in overcoming life's difficulties. A live production of Beyond the Blues is scheduled for production in the Spring of 2022. Ralph's had several staged readings of plays at the following venues: North Shore Community College, Internal Matter in South Boston, and the Community Church of Boston. His play, Wrong Place, Right Time, was produced at the Boston Playwright's Platform Festival and the Saugus Theater Company's Staged Readings. To view The Squeezebox Stompers' video of the sea chantey, Seemore the Seagull, along with other related information, log on to www.squeezeboxstompers.com and click on the "Sea Chantey" tab at the top of the website. Contact Ralph if you'd like a book reading or a performance of the sea shanty, "Seemore the Seagull" at: [e-mail]

Amanda Grafe is an author and illustrator from New England. She enjoys spending time with her dog, writing about the arts, and making the world a better place. In addition to illustrating the books in Julia Reid's Alex and the Magical Coat Series, Amanda has authored three of her own children's books, My Best Ghoul Friend, Baby Bunny and the Balloon, and The Sneaky Mouse, illustrating two of them.

Having spent his childhood in neighboring Chelsea, Revere Beach was always a favorite destination of Steve's. Today it remains his a favorite place to visit, or take long walks with his dog, Bella, who loves and appreciates the long crescent shape of this first public beach as much as Steve does. Steve's interest in art began in grade school when at age 9, his collage was chosen for an exhibit at the Public Library. That interest continued through his student and adult life. Recently his work has been exhibited in several galleries in Boston and the North Shore. Steve's Professional affiliations include the Griffin Museum of Photography, Lynn Arts Association, ReachArts Swampscott, Greater Lynn Photography Association, Newburyport Arts Association and Marblehead Arts Association.

Editorial Reviews

"Integrating an easy cadence of rhythm and rhyme, Seemore the Seagull is an enchanting and beautifully illustrated multicultural story about a wise and watchful seagull. Seemore experiences great joy in his daily activities and appreciates the beauty of a diverse, beach-going population on his daily jaunts to Revere Beach, but is troubled when he observes arguments among children and a lack of tolerance and understanding based on ethnic and cultural differences. Seemore's subsequent actions highlight the importance of initiating cooperative interactions with others who are different as a way to experience the intrinsic joy that comes from recognizing and appreciating that our similarities as people are far more important than our differences." Shiala Higgs, Retired Teacher and Literacy Coach, Regional Multicultural Magnet School, New London, Connecticut.

"This adorable story uniquely calls attention to how we as humans treat each other, but from the perspective of a seagull! A bird we know is always walking along the sand, maybe longing for our snack, but truly is always watching us. It is a lovely reminder that our words and actions matter, pairing perfectly with the idea that though we may all have our differences, we are still very similar. Seemore the Seagull's rhythmic structure and beautiful illustrations come together beautifully to spread the author's message."

-Frankie Ann Marcille; Author, Educator, Advocate

"Seemore the Seagull, written by Ralph Tufo with illustrations by Amanda Grafe and photographs by Steve Levin, is a wonderful depiction of a day at Revere Beach from the perspective of the feisty, yet wise seagull, Seemore. For those of us who live near the First Public Beach in America and have had the pleasure of savoring some fried clams at Kelly's, Seemore's experience will be easily recognized. On a warm summer's day, there are people, gulls aplenty, children, the smells of fried food and warm sand as well as the sounds of the sparkling sea. Seemore is a curious and wise observer of human nature. Through Ralph's lyrical prose, Seemore opportunistically grabs treats, watches children and adults as they go about their beach day, and he even lends a hand to solve a problem of children getting along. The photos by Steve Levin depict real scenes that unfold every summer day at Revere Beach; like any beach in the world, I would dare say. Amanda Grafe's lovely, colorful illustrations add depth to the bird's eye view to this lovely story that ends with cooperation and a very tired Seemore. A great book to pack up to enjoy at the beach with your young ones, but enjoyed by all! Congratulations to Ralph, Amanda and Steve."

-Mary Mitchell, Masters in Education, is a retired teacher and is currently working for The Winthrop Parent Network that supports early literacy and parents. Mary is also the current President of The Friends of Belle Isle Marsh, a sister wetland abutting Revere Beach."

From the Publisher