I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. A beautiful book about a little girl whose parents are just too busy to play with her, so she runs away to the sea.

If you think this book needed an AMBER alert, read this review please.

This book is lovely and whimsical. It is also, in my opinion, not meant to be about a little girl literally running away into the woods, befriending a fox, and making her way to the ocean where her parents miraculously rejoin her. Other reviewers have worried about a potentially problematic message this book sends when the little girl feels ignored and thus takes herself off for a whimsical and woodsy adventure. I could be totally wrong, but I assume (based on textual and visual clues) that this was an imaginary journey. Here's why:

The young girl said "sometimes I feel invisible to the world, so I go to my favorite place." I don't think that we can determine this is a little girl abruptly running away into the woods unbeknownst to her parents, as some have interpreted. Would that lead to her to somewhere that is already her favorite place, in the middle of a wood? No, I think this is a book about a little girl who feels invisible and thus retreats into the lush and welcoming world that exists in her imagination, a world where she is brave and does things like sleep under the stars, befriend lovely forest creatures, and summon an ocean at will.
". . . my feet get lighter with every step. Things appear . . . and disappear. . . " etc.
I believe this is a young child's fantasy book. The illustrations are wonderful and creative, the text is sparse and simple to allow the imagination and pictures to carry the reader wherever they would like to go. It is lovely and imaginative.

Thank you, Taltal Levi and NorthSouth Books for the ARC in exchange for an unbiased review. I enjoyed this work. I have submitted an Amazon review also but it is still in pending status so I cannot submit the link at this time.

I have mixed feelings about this book. It covers an important dilemma for children, the desire to run away, but it doesn't feel like it's covered in a safe way. In the story, a child is feeling invisible to their parents, who are caught up in working on desk work. The child prepares a sleeping bag and backpack with supplies, bundles up for an outing, and sets off on a journey after leaving a note for their parents. They hike through the woods, meet a friendly fox, and finally camp out for the night. In the morning, the child heads to a nearby beach or lake, and find their parents have come to the same spot. The soft watercolor illustrations are lovely, and fit with the text well. Now, for what bothers me about this story: the text seems to encourage children to "escape" from their homes overnight, and makes it look like sleeping by themselves outdoors is okay. The parents seem pretty lax about the whole thing, as they wait till morning to look for their child; does this happen so often that they're used to it? Maybe they should take a break now and then and check on their kid! I like the message of taking a break when you need to recharge, and enjoying some solitude and mindfulness, but suggesting taking off and spending the night away from home and outdoors is not the way to go. This is definitely a book that should be followed by some discussion after reading.

#MeetMeBytheSea #NetGalley

Such a sweet story, and the illustrations were absolutely beautiful. I read through it a few times, and found something new in the illustrations each time. I would definitely recommend buying as a physical copy, just for the illustrations themselves.

Readers will need to suspend a bit of reality with this book as the young heroine in the story heads off on her own and stays outside overnight. As a parent, I had a hard time wondering how in the world a child can be gone for that long--but perhaps that carries home the point that her parents are way too focused on the wrong things.

How appropriate for today's average parent--so distracted by work, phones, social media, etc. that they barely interact with their children. I applaud the child for knowing that nature has a calming, healing property and can be a beautiful source of peace and belonging.

This book would be an excellent tool to help parents interact more with their child. The book has a slow, measured pace and children will enjoy exploring each lovely page. The uncomplicated pictures and the muted colors offer a nice contrast to the often overstimulation of life. I love that in these pages, a child can be drawn into the wonders of nature, and hopefully parents can learn to appreciate the benefits of slowing down.

Disclaimer: I received a free digital copy of Meet Me By the Sea from NetGalley for the purpose of review. No other compensation was received.

This was an unusual book coming to the US from Switzerland. A little girl feels invisible so she goes off on her own to explore. But she meets someone new after a night out and doesn’t feel so invisible any more. This was a sweet, quiet story that could be good for bedtime or for story time.

A little girl feels invisible because her parents are too busy to play with her. Angry, she storms off to her favorite spot solo and discovers a wonderful surprise. A charming book with whimsical illustrations that celebrates courage and family. This book would also be great as an SEL text in the classroom.

We all feel invisible sometimes. When people around us are too busy to care about us. In Meet me by the Sea, a little girl feels invisible to her parents and she gets angry. She packs her camping gear, leaves home, and spends the night in the woods. When she wakes up she makes a new friend. Maybe she isn’t invisible after all.⁠
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I loved the soothing illustrations in this book and the simple storyline. This book encourages kids to spend more time in nature and to be open to new experiences. It also teaches that our family can get on our nerves sometimes and we all have a way to unwind, heal and belong.⁠
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Thank you to @netgalley and @northsouthbooks for the eARC.⁠
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Category: children’s picture book⁠
Age: 5+

A little girl feels invisible to her busy parents, so she leaves a note and takes off on a journey to the sea. She is comforted by the familiarity of the route. Overnight, she is joined by a fox, whom she is able to identify with.

The synopsis on the back of the book describes the girl in this story as "spunky." I did not see anything in the book that supports that description. I understand what the author is trying to portray, but the story itself is a bit problematic. The little girl has decided that the answer to her problems is to run away, spending the night in the woods alone. When her parents find her, they are happy to see her, with no sign of concern or worry on their faces. I worry about the message that this tale is sending. The watercolor images are beautiful, but the story was overly simplistic, with just a few words per page. This could have worked fine if the story were developed just a bit more.

I received a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and NorthSouth Books.

~ Thanks to NetGalley and North South Books Inc. for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review ~

4.5 stars

What a beautifully illustrated, wholesome children's book! I actually read it twice in a row, after I had given myself a moment to process what had happened, and the second time was definitely more moving. Like some other reviewers, I feel that this book could have benefited from additional rounding out, but what it contained was handled well. I would maybe encourage parents to have a word with their children after reading this about how there are better alternatives to running away from home - regardless of how romantic a plot device it is - when they are feeling ignored. This consideration aside, I would recommend this to anyone looking a picture book that has beautiful drawings and a sweet plot.

Annoyed by his parents unavailability, a girl decided to go all by herself, out in the woods and far away by the sea, where she can breath deeply the quietness. On her way, she is joined by a fox that nested on her sleeping bag she skillfully set up during a night she spent in the woods. Later on, she is joined by her parents that finally may realize that the wild things are always out of the (home) office.

The story flows slowly, as a river, as a step-by-step journey the girl takes. Indeed, the woods can be a frightening new place, but her inner peace and love for nature are the shield protecting her against any eventual accident. She is not afraid, rather happy and curious surrounded by so many beautiful things a and creatures.

The author creates the tension perfectly through the pastel-lit images and words. The story is easy in itself, but ´simplicity is the ultimate sophistication´, isn´t it?

From the top of the forest trees, everything looks so small, we, as humans included, with all our hard game of emotions and complicated working hours. By the sea, everything looks much better and clearer. It´s where she, in the end, will meet her busy parents too.

I just wanted to share my love for such beautiful stories wrapped in dreamlike pencil touches.

This is a short, calming type story. The pastel like/watercolor like art work has a very soft/calming effect.... it's very nice art. It's like a 'peaceful' read.... minimal, but effective text.
I received this e-ARC from publisher NorthSouth Books Inc. via NetGalley, in return for reading it & posting my own fair & honest review.

Meet Me By the Sea is a beautiful story of a girl who goes to nature when she feels invisible. On her journey to her favorite place she finds peace and comfort and gains a new friend along the way.

The calming pastel illustrations paired with the sparse words create a beautiful story about returning to nature. I really loved this book, it would make a perfect bedtime story.

Thank you to Netgalley for the e-ARC.

A delightful story with beautiful pastel illustrations that took me on a child view of her world.
She says a lot with few words and it was uniquely laid out. I found it a great book for young children.

Thank you North South Books via Netgalley for this ARC. I’ve voluntarily given my honest review.

The art in this book is gorgeous and I love the message that there are places in nature that are special and healing. That said, maybe I'm an overprotective parent but if my kid left for the day and spent the evening out overnight without telling me where she was going I would be freaking out.

Into the wild she goes to find herself!
A story about a young girl who feels invisible when her parents are too busy to play with her (very relevant to lockdown as parents try to juggle meeting children’s needs with working from home).
As the little girl takes her self into the woods she begins to feel more like herself, as she connects with nature and notices the wildlife around her she starts to feel less invisible.
This story will appeal to both adults and children who love to ground and reset themselves in nature, it’s also a lovely way to address what children can do for themselves when they are feeling invisible or bored.
The illustrations are beautiful, beautiful colours create wonderful scenes that absorb you and help deliver the messages and inferences in the text . A book that soothes and caresses the soul. A lovely read for parents and children to reconnect and share a love for nature.

This is a beautifully presented book. I love the illustrations and the sparsity of the text. I was struck by the very first page and its illustration. How true in this day and age that techonology can interfere with the connection between child and parent! I think I knew I'd like this book from that moment. Again, reading how nature comfprted the main character, I understood and agreed. It's a very short but very meaningful read. My thanks to Netgalley, author and publisher for a digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

The illustrations are BEAUTIFUL in this book. The story of a girl who feels invisible so she goes to the sea. While she's there, a fox quietly joins her. Perfect for kicking off writing about your favorite place and your favorite people.

When a girl feels forgotten she heads into her favorite place. Nature.

The pictures are lovely with a textured look about them.

I felt contect to this. If you love the great outdoors or want to encourage a love in children, read this book to them. Maybe when they are feeling alone or you're going camping or spending the day in nature.

I would definitely recommend this book.

*Recieved from Netgalley for an honest review.

Growing up takes courage sometimes, especially when you have to explore the world on your own.

In Meet Me by The Sea, a little girl wishes to go to her favorite place by the Sea. Her parents are so busy working, they don’t notice her packing up to go. In a trek that leads the girl through forests and over little rivers a whole night alone to her destination, the world changes right in front of her eyes. Assured at first turning about every tree and skipping over stones, her courage slowly loses its gravity. Suddenly things appear and disappear. They look different in the dark.

But there are little surprises to be had and with a little encouragement by a new friend, she is off to her favorite place by the Sea.

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This is such a darling picture book that encourages kids to overcome obstacles. As a bedtime story or read aloud it will surely uplift little explorers to dream big and embrace their vulnerabilities. With beautiful pastel-hued illustrations, it is calming and inviting to read. Nature and animals are captured tranquil even in the dark of night. This will be a thoughtful gift for storytime reads and pleasing for readers and nonreaders alike.