Inside my Sea of Dreams: The Adventures of Kami and Suz

by Susan Marie Conrad

Join Kami the Kayak and her paddler Suz, along with a host of outdoor friends on a wondrous seafaring adventure to Alaska. In this picture book adaptation of Susan Conrad’s "Inside: One Woman's Journey Through the Inside Passage," we follow the dream of a little girl’s big adventure in a tiny kayak. A talking kayak? A dreaming child? YES! Together they encounter magic and mayhem on a journey through a breathtaking land of challenge and reward. Come along for the ride through one of the greatest waterways in western North America: The Inside Passage! All ages will learn that we are all capable of anything—and will always reach our destination—if we simply believe.

44 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2021

About the author

Susan Marie Conrad is an expedition kayaker, award-winning author, public speaker, and lover of all-things-wild. Long slow paddles in long skinny boats are her jam, having completed two approximately 1,200-mile solo through-paddles of the Inside Passage from Washington State to Southeast Alaska. She uses these expeditions, and her resulting life transformations, as a springboard for her work, focusing on inspiring people to reach their full potential. She's authored three books about the Inside Passage and loves sharing her personal stories on the page and the stage inspiring people and demonstrating the power of self-belief and tenacity. She's happiest with a paddle, a camera, a notepad, or a book in her hands. Learn more at SusanMarieConrad.com

Reviews

[Eva La Mar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read Susan Conrad’s Inside Passage book and loving it, I was curious about this new book. Inside My Sea of Dreams is a delight. It’s empowerment message to kids is just what kids need to hear right now. To see Susan’s experience growing up to that of kayaking the inside passage shares that it took work and commitment, but like many dreams, it is possible.

In this book I love that the kayak is multi-colored (her real one is red) and that it guides her. That they learn together is the truth when kayaking. The artwork is lovely. The colors are perfect for showing the flora and fauna along her trip. Not too dreamlike, yet still with a sense of fun.

As a classroom teacher I look forward to sharing this book with my class and placing it in my classroom library.

[Conny Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I believed in myself. And Kami believed in me! We had a dream to chase!” Suz decides in Susan Conrad’s children’s book, Inside My Sea of Dreams: The Adventures of Kami and Suz.

~ What ~
This forty-four-page paperback targets children ages two to eight years old who like stories about outdoor adventures, kayaking, and exploring the Canadian and Alaskan Inside Passage. With no overly scary scenes, it is about a young girl who dreams of taking a kayak trip. The full-color, full-page illustrations are simplistic but easy to understand. The ending includes the author’s and illustrator’s biographies, information about the Inside Passage, author’s note, and fun facts.

This tale is about a young girl who lives on a farm and dreams of exploring open waters in a boat after she visits the ocean. First she picks out a colorful kayak that she names Kami and gets her supplies together for her big adventure to the Pacific Northwest. She leaves Seattle with excitement as she paddles up through the Inside Passage to Skagway, seeing many interesting animals and people of the land. At one point, there is a storm, but she happily makes it safely to her beautiful destination.

~Why ~
This is a fun and entertaining story for young ones who love adventure and learning about new places and people. I loved the artwork that was not too detailed yet engaging. The storyline moved along well and would keep children’s attention as they learn a little about the Great Bear Rainforest, Spirit Bear, Butedale, the First People, Canada, and Alaska.

~ Why Not ~
Those who do not like books about the wild outdoors and ocean life may not care for this one. Others who are beginning readers may have trouble pronouncing and understanding some two and three syllable words.

~ Wish ~
There are several punctuation and grammatical errors so it has been marked down a full point as young ones may think they are acceptable. Being professionally edited would be recommended.

~ Want ~
If you are looking for a read that follows the dreams of an adventurous girl as she braves the Inside Passage in her kayak, this one would be enjoyed and reread often.

Thanks to Bookpleasures and the author for this complimentary book that I am under no obligation to review.

[Abbe Rolnick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Susan Conrad shows her love of sea kayaking, adventure, and her expertise as an instructor and dreamer as she translates this into her children's book, Inside My Sea of Dreams,. With the help of Rebecca Rothman's illustrations, she welcomes a new generation of young girls into the value of nature. Empowerment and resilience, are the underlying messages. Colorful and inspiring.