How to Make Friends with the Sea
Read More
Found a better price? Request a price match
How to Make Friends with the Sea
Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?
Latest News
The ACOTAR Countdown Is On, But We Need to Talkβ¦
Last week, things started taking a dark turn. The excitement surrounding the release was suddenly...
Even More New Board Games Just Arrived!
It's been another busy week at Book Hero, with heaps of new board games and...
The Book Briefing 21/10/2026
Welcome back to another edition of 'The Book Briefing', your weekly round-up of all the...
Story to Screen - 21/10/26
It's been another huge week in the world of book-to-screen adaptations! From record-breaking trailers and...
Things We Learned from an Evening with Alice Oseman
Liam and Lizzy went along to an evening with Alice Oseman of Heartstopper! Here are...
See moreAn #ownvoices debut novel set in the Philippines about twelve-year-old Pabloβs challenges with anxiety while his mother fosters an orphaned child with a facial anomaly.
An #ownvoices middle grade debut novel set in the Philippines about twelve-year-old Pablo's challenges with anxiety while his mother fosters an orphaned child with a facial anomaly.
Twelve-year-old Pablo is homesick.
Ever since his father left, his mother, a zoologist who helps rehabilitate abused animals, has moved them from one side of the world to the other. Now they are residing in the Philippines, and his mother is tasked with caring for an orphaned child, Chiqui, who has an unrepaired cleft lip.
As he and his mother adjust to having Chiqui in their lives, Pablo must face his ever-increasing anxiety. But, as it turns out, in his efforts to help Chiqui, he learns a thing or two from her as well, even finding the courage to confront his lifelong and deep-seated fear of the sea.
This very special middle grade debut, How to Make Friends with the Sea, addresses issues of identity, mental health, appearance, friendship, and family.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
"Guerrero touches on many topics--anxiety, fostering, friendship, family, selective mutism, and more--seamlessly weaving them all together to create a strong, moving narrative. A heartbreaking, heartwarming, powerful debut novel." — Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW
"A story for anyone who's ever asked where--and what--home is." — Jack Cheng, author of See You in the Cosmos
"How to Make Friends with the Sea is a heartwarming story about family, friendship, identity and finding courage within our own hearts. I know readers will have as much fun cheering for Pablo as I did." — Dan Gemeinhart, author of The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise
"Touching and sweet, Tanya Guerrero's debut is a multi-layered story with heaps of heart. Readers will root for Pablo as he finds his courage, voice, and family on this journey to self-acceptance." — Elly Swartz, author of Finding Perfect and Give and Take
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781250763273
Publisher: St Martin's Press
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 30 March 2021
Country: United States
Imprint: St Martin's Press
Audience: Children
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 30.0mm
Width: 132.0mm
Height: 194.0mm
Weight: 316g
Pages: 384
About the Author
A Martial Law baby born at the height of the Marcos regime in the Philippines, Tanya Guerrero spent her childhood in Manila, Barcelona, and La Masia. She currently lives in the suburbs of Manila with her husband, daughter, and a menagerie of rescued cats and dogs. How to Make Friends with the Sea is her debut novel. Learn more about Tanya at tanyaguerrero.com.
Also by Tanya Guerrero
View allMore from Children's Books
View allWhy buy from us?
Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!
Service & Delivery
Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.
Auckland Bookstore
We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.
Our Gifting Service
Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.
Children's Books lists from the team
Explore our curated lists from our heroes to find your next read!














