Town Is by the Sea
While a young boy enjoys a summer's day, his thoughts constantly return to his father, who is digging for coal deep under the sea.
“A masterpiece. I can't recommend it highly enough.” The Independent
"An atmospheric, haunting story." The Bookseller
“Beautifully evocative. This book is pure delight.” The School Librarian
Stunning illustrations by Sydney Smith, the award-winning illustrator of Footpath Flowers, show the striking contrast between a sparkling seaside day and the darkness underground where the miners dig. This beautifully understated and haunting story brings a piece of mining history to life. The ever-present ocean and inevitable pattern of life in a mining town will enthral children and move adult readers, as a young boy wakes up to the sound of the sea, visits his grandfather's grave after lunch and comes home to a cosy dinner with his family, but all the while his mind strays to his father digging for coal deep down under the sea.
Joanne Schwartz was born in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. She is the author of a number of children's books including Our Corner Grocery Store, which was nominated for the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award. Joanne has been a children's librarian for more than twenty-five years. She lives in Toronto.
Sydney Smith is the winner of the Hans Christian Andersen Award for Illustration. He has illustrated multiple children’s books including Small In the City, winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal, I Talk Like a River and My Baba's Garden written by Jordan Scott, The White Cat and the Monk, written by Jo Ellen Bogart, and the highly acclaimed Footpath Flowers, which was a New York Times Children’s Book of the Year, a winner of the Governor General Award for Illustration and shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Medal. Born in Nova Scotia in Canada, Sydney now lives in Toronto. Find him on Instagram as @sydneydraws.