I remember this book fondly from my childhood. It is simply written, beautifully illustrated and guaranteed to stimulate the imaginations of any small child who reads it. I myself spent many hours speculating on what other items that I had personally lost that might be in the 'Attic'. I regret that it is out of print. My personal copy is too tattered (and treasured) to give as a gift, but there are two young people in my life who will be old enough to appreciate it very soon.

This book is filled with interesting pictures and is written in free verse, with rhyming words coming at unexpected times. It is WONDERFUL fun to read aloud and a great bedtime story. I will give a copy of this book to all of my children, nieces and nephews so they can someday read it to THEIR children.

Told in poetic form, this is the story of a brother and sister who explore the seashore to find out out the real color of the ocean. Is it red, brown, green, pink, gray, black? Or, is it really blue? Well, as the reader finds out, it all depends on when and how one looks at it.
The illustrations that accompany the text are lovely. the artist has managed to capture the various moods and hues that are a part of each time of the day. He does this through his gentle and appropriate use of color - at sunset the ocean does look red. the reader can't help but feel that he/she is actually experiencing the sea at sunset, dawn, on a cool or rainy summer night or on a warm, bright sunny day.
I highly recommend reading this book to children in pre-school through grade two.

When I read the book Eric, I had to fight to hold back the tears! He was such a gifted young man, full of promise, and to see it all wasted like that was heart wrenching. This book is very well writen. In fact, you feel as if your there with Eric while he's playing soccer, partying, or at the hospital. By going with him to Ewing 8 you meet the people who truly are heroes, the ones who have the courage to live day by day with this horrible disease.
Since Eric, medicine has improved and people have a better chance of living when diagnosied with leukimia. Eric was very determined, and knew his odds at the same time.
Every person who has had this disease or experienced it with a loved needs to read this book.

I first read this book when I was around 14 years old. It touched me so deeply then, and even today, at the age of 31, I have never forgotten it. Doris Lund tells the story from her heart, and you feel like you are a part of her family as she takes you through their struggles. You feel the pain of each family member and at times it's heartbreaking. After finishing the book, I wrote Doris Lund a letter telling her what a wonderful son she had. She answered me back telling me that Eric's strength and courage are what have helped her keep going through the difficult times. She also mentioned that the rest of the family was doing fine. If Eric's story has taught us anything, it's that we should live life to the fullest. Eric certainly did that. He is an inspiration to people everywhere. I'm sure he's got a special place in heaven.

I read this book as a teenager when it was first published - back in the mid 1970's. The story of Eric's struggle with leukemia moved me deeply. After reading the book I promptly was tested and added to the blood platelet registry at NIH hospital, in the hopes of being able to help someone someday in Eric's situation. Little did I know that 20-some years later, now grown with a family of my own, that my own teenage daughter would get sick with leukemia. I know as sure as I'm sitting here typing this thru tears, this book saved my daughters life. Had I not read it and learned the signs and symptoms of leukemia, I would not have known to get my daughter to the doctor as soon as I did. She could have easily slipped away before she had a chance to be diagnosed and treated. I'm happy to say that last week (Jan 13, 2000) my daughter finished up 2 1/2 years of chemotherapy and has a very good chance of surviving. A heartfelt THANK YOU to Doris Lund for sharing her touching story with us. No words can express my gratitude. If anyone knows how I can contact Ms. Lund, please email me - I would love to share our experience with her and let her know how instrumental she was in my daughters survival.