Town Is by the Sea is a beautiful reminder of both the constancy and change inherent in life and would be a lovely addition to home libraries for quiet times and family time. The ocean, rendered in sage and blue with pearlescent waves, is always in sight, the lifeblood of this special town. The sunny sky and daily activities of the boy give way every so often to two-page spreads of the black tunnel, where the miners push carts, drill, and recoil from a sudden rock slide. Sydney Smith’s ink and watercolor illustrations gorgeously depict the dual nature of this town built solidly on a rocky coastline and surviving on the dusty, back-breaking work of coal-mining while overlooking the constantly flowing wash of the sea. Schwartz’s sure, straightforward storytelling provides details that are familiar to all readers, making it a universal tale, rooted in the heart. The repetition of the boy’s thoughts that wander to join his father in the dark tunnels throughout the day demonstrate both the strong bond between father and son and also the developing identity of the boy, who is also destined for those underwater tunnels. Sustaining the townspeople over generations, the sea wakes them, feeds them, provides beauty and challenges, and in its fluid consistency mirrors the love and security of family.

In Joanne Schwartz’s graceful tribute to a coal-mining town settled on the coast, the sea is as much a character as the little boy and his family. Image copyright Sydney Smith, text copyright Joanne Schwartz. He rises from bed and gazes out the window at the vast sea, knowing that his “father is already deep down under that sea, digging for coal.” The little boy wakes later to the sounds of town-cars on the road, a dog barking, seagulls calling as they soar overhead. It is so close that “it goes like this-house, road, grassy cliff, sea.” Early in the morning, his father leaves home and rides the tram that takes him underneath the ocean to his job as a coal miner.

Town Is by the Sea Written by Joanne Schwartz | Illustrated by Sydney SmithĪ little boy introduces readers to his home by the sea. We also remember the communities that rely on the oceans for economic stability as well as the men and women who work to protect the oceans and their unique creatures. Pollution, climate change, and habitat destruction all threaten the fragile ecosystems that exist in and near the sea. This month we celebrate these vast wonders while committing ourselves to their preservation. The world’s oceans offer beauty, resources, and mystery.

Town Is by the Sea by Joanne Schwartz