Zoom at Sea

Margaret Bunel Edwards is a free-lance writer and author of several
children’s books.

Zoom is a cat who loves water, and plays in it with wooden spoons tied
to his feet. He also sails in the bathtub in a wicker basket. When he
finds a map in the attic, he follows the instructions, taking a bus to a
big house where he meets the mysterious Maria. She turns an enormous
wheel, pushes a button, and cranks a crank. Water rushes into the room,
sea birds fly from cages, hundreds of small crabs scurry across the
floor, and Zoom is beside the sea. He makes a raft and sails away,
calling for “more waves” or “more fish” or “more Sun.” At
last, tired from playing, he lets the tide drift him shoreward to Maria,
and they have tea together. “May I come back?” he asks; and, of
course, he does.

Children will be charmed by Zoom’s adventure. It is brightly written,
its style as fluid as the sea. The illustrations are finely detailed
pencil sketches that accurately highlight the author’s prose. This
delightful book is a prize-winner for both the story and the
illustrations. Children will enjoy reading and rereading this unusual
adventure.