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Wider Than The Sea

WINNER of the Eilís Dillon Award, KPMG Children's Books Ireland Awards 2024

Serena Molloy, Author

George Ermos, Illustrator

Imprint: Hodder Children's Books

Publication date: March 30, 2023

Category: Family & home stories (Children's / Teenage)

ISBN: 9781444968415

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The award-winning tale of a girl who feels broken, and the dolphin who makes her whole. A powerful story of friendship, hope and self-discovery, perfect for readers aged 9+, beautifully illustrated by George Ermos.

Winner of the Eilís Dillon Award for debut children’s book at the KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards 2024!

Ró finds school impossible. She knows people think she’s shy – and stupid. But when she goes to the bay each afternoon to watch the dolphin leap through the water, she finds the strength to keep going. Then the dolphin disappears, and everything starts falling apart.

Can Ró overcome her fears to find him?

I watch each rise and dip of wave
know Sunny must be out there
somewhere
wonder if he’s missing me.
I remember that moment
when I touched his skin
and know that finding him
is the only thing
that can make
the aching stop
make me feel
not broken.

Reviews

A gentle and moving story of friendship, hope and self-discovery ... celebrates neurodiversity and the power to change.

Patricia Forde, Laureate na nÓg (Ireland's Children's Laureate) in Irish Times magazine

The star of this novel, the friendship between Ró and Cian (The Bean) is done perfectly, capturing that unsteady moment when fiercely loyal childhood friendship tips towards more romantic feelings. A really classy debut.

Irish Examiner

an uplifting story

Irish Sunday Times, Children’s Book of the Week

Molloy's powerful story about a girl who feels broken, and the dolphin who makes her feel complete, is enhanced by Ermos' illustrations. This uplifting tale celebrates self-acceptance, inclusivity and readers of all abilities.

Editor’s Choice, Reading Matters, Children’s Books Ireland

A heartwarming, hopeful read with accessibility and understanding at its core, I know this book will be very important to a lot of children who need to see themselves reflected in the stories they read.

Ruth Ennis, Books Ireland Magazine

Serena Molloy

Serena Molloy was born in Wexford, Ireland, and is an English teacher who has taught in different schools across the UK. She settled in Galway with her family, where she can see the sea every day. As a mum of four, her house is always noisy but never, ever dull.

Serena’s novels are a celebration of neurodiversity, empathy and the power to change.

George Ermos

George is an illustrator, maker and avid reader from England. He works digitally and loves illustrating all things curious and mysterious. He is always trying to incorporate new artiness from the various world cultures he reads about and explores.

Related Resources

Wider Than The Sea – Teaching Notes

Topic: English, Neurodiversity

Age Range: 11-14, 7-11

Related Book: Wider Than The Sea

Book Creator: Serena Molloy

The powerful tale of a girl who feels broken, and the dolphin who makes her whole. A story of friendship, hope and self-discovery, perfect for readers aged 9+, and beautifully illustrated in black and white by George Ermos.

Themes: Neurodiversity | Friendship | Self Belief | The Power of Poetry & Art

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