Saltarico e Carmel: Adventures by the Sea follows Chesty, a book-loving squirrel from Boston, as he travels with his friend John to California. Along the way, he meets Posso, a gentle grizzly bear who teaches him the quiet power of asking permission, and later Carmel, a surfing shark who shows him that the sea can hold stories just as beautifully as any book. It’s a bilingual adventure about friendship, curiosity, courage, manners, and the way new places can open a child’s heart.

What I liked most was the book’s tenderness. As a parent, I’m always drawn to stories that teach without tightening their grip too much, and this one has a sweet, earnest spirit. The lesson about saying “May I?” could have felt stiff, but Posso makes it feel warm and relational. It’s not just about rules. It’s about respect, patience, and making room for someone else. I also loved how the story connects reading with travel and imagination. Chesty sees books as companions, and by the end, he’s able to see the ocean itself as a kind of living library. It’s a lovely way to remind children that stories aren’t only found on pages. They’re in places, friendships, fears, and first tries.

The writing is gentle and full of wonder, with a classic picture-book sweetness that feels especially suited for children who enjoy animal adventures with a moral center. The story takes its time, moving through Boston, Yellowstone, San Francisco, and Carmel-by-the-Sea with an almost travel-journal rhythm. The bilingual format gives the book an added richness, especially for families who value language learning or cultural connection. The artwork is bright, expressive, and inviting, with glowing forests, sunny beaches, and cheerful animal characters that give the story an imaginative, almost storybook-postcard feel. I was especially drawn to the scenes by the sea, where Carmel’s playfulness and Chesty’s smallness against the waves create a real feeling of awe.

I found Saltarico e Carmel: Adventures by the Sea to be a warmhearted, thoughtful children’s book with a unique spirit. It blends friendship, travel, literacy, and manners into a story that feels sincere and full of affection. I’d recommend it for families with children who love animals, books, ocean adventures, and gentle lessons about kindness, especially bilingual families or young readers learning Portuguese and English side by side.

Pages: 111 | ISBN : 978-1962185868