A new children's book celebrates the beauty of Monterey Peninsula’s coastline through the eyes of a local family. Reading by the Sea, written by local author and mother Eva Augustina Sinotte, takes readers on a day trip to the beach — inviting them to slow down, explore, and fall in love with the natural world.
Sinotte wrote the book during the pandemic, when her family's appreciation for the outdoors grew even deeper. But the story's roots stretch back to her own childhood in Carmel, where she spent most afternoons at the beach.
Eva Augustine Sinotte (EAS): I just thought it was second nature until I moved to LA. I realized, wow, not everybody gets to go to the beach after elementary school and play in the sand. Or, like in high school, we would go cruise the beach during lunchtime, you know? When we come back and are immersed in our beautiful Monterey Peninsula, it's like, wow, we are so incredibly blessed. And to create this natural habitat into more of an inclusive place for everybody, I think is just really wonderful.
Erika Mahoney (EM): Your beautiful family is on the cover, and the illustrations throughout the book are just so lovely. Tell us about your family.
EAS: Yes. Well, first, Harley Scroggins, who's an amazing animator and illustrator and just an incredible artist — we went to Cal Arts together, and she did all the gorgeous illustrations and was so patient with me throughout the process, 'cause I had a baby while I was making the book. And it took about, almost four years to write. So I'm so forever grateful to her, and her books are incredible.
And yes, it's about our beautiful blended family. My partner is African and Caribbean, and I'm a mixture of so many different things. I'm a mutt, including Native American and European, and just wanted to show the beautiful mixture and melting pot of bringing people together, and having kids shown in all different colors, shapes and sizes.
Our family, to me, is so beautiful, and nature is so beautiful, and it's like the yin and the yang, you know? Bringing everything together. Our area in Monterey is so amazing, and also Carmel, especially … it gets to grow to be inclusive to everyone, if that makes any sense…
EM: Yeah.
EAS: … all races, all people.
EM: Yeah.
EAS: And it is slowly growing in that direction, and that's what I deeply appreciate, so I wanna be a part of that growth. And also, I wanted the audience to kind of grow with my daughter. She's five now, and she was a baby when we made the book.
EM: Aw.
EAS: It's pretty, it's full circle, 'cause we're about to have our third baby now.
EM: Yes.
EAS: So look out for another book with all three of the babies.
EM: Can you read your favorite page from the book?
EAS: The family drives along Highway 1 to the beach. A condor, a sacred special bird native to their coastal neighborhood, soars above their car. It's as if the condor is guiding them to the beach. Out in the ocean, they see whale spouts splashing, and whale tails, and a sailboat. It's so majestic. The family loves to observe the natural world around them. At last, they arrive at the beach. Daddy, Mommy, and Araya walk down a beautiful trail encompassed with wildflowers, ferns, and different plants. They especially love the white and yellow calla lily flowers along the path.
EM: Beautiful. Thank you so much.
EAS: Thank you.
EM: What do you want people to take with them after they read your book? What's the message?
EAS: The message is to inspire families to get out in nature. Even if you're in a city, go to the park, put your feet in the dirt, be together, play together. The simplest things, like just 20 minutes of playtime without any phones is phenomenal. And if you can go to the beach, go to the beach. Enjoy with your family. Remember, you don't have to do too much. Bring your own homemade snacks, check out your farmer's market, eat some organic delicious food, and observe nature — take that in, 'cause that's free and that's for everyone. Everyone. And love — love life, love your family, and live in that gratitude.
Reading by the Sea is available at stores throughout the Monterey Peninsula, including River House Books and Thinker Toys in Carmel, the Hacienda Hay & Feed in Carmel Valley, and Henry Miller Memorial Library in Big Sur, with plans to expand to additional stores. Eva Augustina Sinotte self-published the book with support from family, friends and even her former teacher from Carmel High School. She and her family also share stories through their YouTube channel, Reading by the Sea.