Sun and Shadow in Spain

A bright summer day on a Rhode Island beach finds a group of children building a fleeting sand city, only to watch the tide sweep it away. Their playful demolition sparks a wonder about the distant lands beyond the horizon, especially the coast of Spain. The youngest vows to see it for herself, turning a simple game into a lifelong curiosity.

Years later, that same child sets sail across the Atlantic, navigating the narrow strait of Gibraltar and stepping onto the historic rock that has witnessed countless civilizations. From the mythic tale of Europa to the lingering shadows of Moorish palaces, the narrative weaves personal discovery with the layered history of the peninsula. With a guidebook in hand, the traveler begins to map the world she once only imagined.

The book unfolds as a vivid travelogue, enriched by color photographs and detailed illustrations of Spain’s most iconic sites—Seville’s cathedral, the Alhambra’s Court of Lions, the bustling streets of Tangier, and the art of Velázquez and Murillo. It offers listeners a sensory tour that captures the country’s bright festivals, solemn traditions, and the ever‑present interplay of sun and shadow that defines its landscape.