Town Is by the Sea

An atmospheric, haunting story about a young boy whose father digs for coal beneath the sea. * The Bookseller *“Written by Joanne Schwartz and delightfully illustrated by Sydney Smith, Town is by the Sea is a quiet book that will stay with readers long after they have closed it.” * Israel Book Review *“[…] this book is a stunning snapshot of a life […] And while this is for the reader a rather haunting tale, it also highlights the beauty and happiness that can be found around us even when life can seem harsh. […] The melodic text reads beautifully and the colour palette is stunning; Smith’s work on conveying sunlight on the water is some of the most striking I have ever encountered […] ” * Library Mice *“A story, simply told, with beautifully evocative illustrations: this book is pure delight. […] It is one which when shared and talked about will become a firm favourite.” * The School Librarian *“I haven’t read such a deeply affecting picturebook in years – it moved me to tears. […] The pitch-perfect text and the outstanding illustrations which play with light and dark, summer sun and coal-seam black, combine to produce a masterpiece. I can’t recommend it highly enough for older children and adults who are looking for something a little different.” * Independent online, Ireland *

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.