My Life with the Wave, based on the story by Octavio Paz, 1997 first edition.

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Written by Octavio Paz. Translated and adapted by Catherine Cowan. Illustrated by Mark Buehner. First edition, 1997. Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books - Morrow. New York.

"My first trip to the seashore, I fell in love with the waves. Just as were about to leave, one wave tore away from the sea. When the others tried to stop her by clutching at her flaring skirts, she caught my hand, and we raced away together across the wrinkled sand."

Front Flap:

"Most boys bring home stray dogs and cats, frogs and snakes, but not the boy in this story - *he* brings home a stray wave! At first she fills the house with light and air, driving away the shadows with her blue and green reflections. At night, shimmering like a rainbow, she sings sweet sea songs as she rocks her boy to sleep. But beware: Her moods are as changeable as the tide, and what is a boy to do with a very naughty wave?"

For added fun, artist Mark Buehner hid a surprise in every illustration.

Author Catherine Cowan adapted My Life with the Wave for children, a story originally written by Octavio Paz (1914 - 1998), a Mexican poet, essayist, and diplomat who received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1990. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential and original writers of the 20th century. He was also a prominent critic of totalitarianism and a defender of human rights and democracy.

Mark Buehner (1959 - ) has illustrated over 30 books, including Snowmen at Night, Fanny's Dream, The Adventures of Taxi Dog, The Escape of Marvin the Ape, and Balloon Farm. My Life with the Wave won "Best Picture Book" from Publishers Weekly.

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Condition*: Very Good/Very Good. Dust jacket: Light shelf wear. Illustrated cover boards. Pages are clean, complete, and undamaged.

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