Philip Moran's story was prompted by the rescue, whilst he was out fishing off the Cornish coast, of a water-logged, scarcely floating teddy bear. From this curious moment, Moran constructs a before and after that takes the adult and child reader through an arc of emotion from sunny warmth through anxiety and real fear to relief and safety. The story is beautifully and movingly illustrated by Michael Foreman, illustrator of many internationally acclaimed titles. The combination of the direct text, with a universal message of safety by the sea, and the rich, sensitive illustration make for a long-lasting and highly saleable children's picture book.

 

There are 32 pages in this book. This book was published 2007 by Mabecron Books Ltd .

Philip Moran is a master mariner and a master storyteller. He was a merchant seaman for 20 years followed by 12 years involvement with an oceanographic research organisation. After his retirement he became a fisherman in his native St Ives and Secretary of the local Royal National Lifeboat Institution, with whom he has been involved in more than 350 rescues. He began storytelling in local schools and has worked for more than 20 years with Michael Foreman, encouraging the love of reading and story-telling. He lives in a house on the seafront in St Ives, Cornwall. Michael Foreman has been an award-winning illustrator for more than 30 years. "One of the outstanding creators of children's picture books working today. He combines a distinctive style of flowing watercolour with a genius for conveying atmosphere and the visual richness of his work is always a feast for the eye. " Jennifer Taylor, Twentieth Century Children's Writers. "Michael's work has had a profound influence on book illustration, not least because of his ability to encapsulate themes both past and present and fix them into powerful images of unparalleled beauty. " Junior Education Michael Foreman lives in St Ives, Cornwall and London.