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Surprises inside

Posted by Abby R on Jul 7, 2025 - 7:15pm
A review of Bye Land, Bye Sea by
Rene
Spencer

Did you know that books can be so much more than just stories to read? I love when a book also encourages me to play, too!

The fun starts right on the cover of this book—not only can you open the book up to pretend you're looking through binoculars, there's also a little play on words right in the title, spelling bye as in "goodbye" rather than by as in "by way of".

Inside, there's so much more to notice and explore! Although not strictly a bilingual book, whether you read in English, Spanish, both, or neither, you're sure to understand how two kids who start off alone could discover what is possible together. The play with language, with the layout of the illustrations on the pages, with the symmetry and echoes within the story itself--chef's kiss! 

I won't spoil your fun by sharing the ending here, but I will remind you that a book's not actually over until the very last endpaper!