ABC’S of the SEA
Seashop Press, $14.95
By Michelle Logsdon/Special to The Malibu Times
Are you tired of the same old ABC books? If so, you’ll find “ABC’S of the SEA” a refreshing little book to read to your children. Written by Thousand Oaks author Shannon Casey Celia and illustrated by Malibu artist Carla Marlene Bates, “ABC’S of the SEA” is a fun twist on a traditional teaching tool with pictures that are anything but simple and boring.
Celia, who studied journalism at Pepperdine University, took a unique approach when writing “ABC’S of the SEA.” She wanted to create a book that would appeal to toddlers as well as older children. “All of my friends had more than one kid and often talked about having to read several stories for each child.”
Celia came up with the idea of Now and LaterTM books that help streamline a parent’s story reading by entertaining children of different ages with the same book. “ABC’S of the SEA” is the first in the series and uses the theme of the ocean to introduce younger kids to fun words that start with each letter of the alphabet, for example, “Anchor begins with Aa,” and “Quahog begins with Qq.”
Older children are challenged by the tongue twisters that follow the simpler ABC introductions. Those clever sentences definitely took some thought. When asked if mermaids really do “munch on mackerel by moonlight,” Celia joked, “I believe they do, that’s why they have such beautiful hair and skin.”
Another reason the book meets the needs of older children is the glossary. An easy-to-read, two-page glossary is helpful for readers of all ages who may not know the definition of words such as xebec (myself included).
When looking for an illustrator for “ABC’S of the SEA,” Celia placed an advertisement on a bulletin board at the California Art Institute. Ironically, Bates (a graduate of the Institute) was placing a notice on the same board looking for a children’s book to illustrate. “Shannon and I were meant to do this book together,” Bates said.
Celia agrees. “Carla’s work felt so fresh. There is simplicity in the objects but each page is truly a work of art.”
Bates, a longtime member of the Malibu Art Association and participant in the Malibu Arts Festival, used mixed media for the book including colored pencils, watercolors and pastels. Her illustrations are an interesting mix of realistic images and fanciful aspects. The brightly colored pictures are more than a step beyond a basic children’s book. “The pictures were very detailed,” said one 9-year-old who found the illustrations interesting and the text fun to read.
“That’s definitely my style,” Bates added. “I’m comfortable being tight in my renderings.” Children’s books are a refreshing deviation for Bates who designs and markets souvenirs in her own shop as well as abroad. “A book is the perfect form of expression. It’s one way for an artist to reach a lot of people with something tangible.”
The detail of the drawings is distinctive in the children’s genre and makes sense for a series like Now and LaterTM. Celia hopes to pair up with Bates again on future projects.
Another interesting aspect of “ABC’S of the SEA,” is its publisher. Seashop Press is a new company located in Thousand Oaks and run by Shari Kritsch. Celia and Kritsch formed a partnership based on their mutual love of the ocean. “We both found our niche in focusing on the sea,” Kritsch said.
“I told Shannon I wanted dibs on her first children’s book and I hope to continue working with Carla, as well, she’s an amazing artist.”
Celia, Kritsch and Bates have taken their love for the water one step further by donating a portion of the profits from “ABC’S of the SEA” to ocean preservation. For more information on “ABC’S of the SEA” and Seashop Press, visit www.seashoppress.com.