Heidi Jardine Stoddart

Ah. Based on Gundula's review, I found a used copy of this online. It is indeed charming, and makes me feel envious, and a bit nostalgic for the time I lived on Cape Cod.

One thing makes me sad though - this copy was autographed by the author (local book store signing, I assume) and the book arrived to me pristine & apparently unread.

Um, to evaluate it, I'd have to say the rhyming text and the pictures of the people seemed just a little awkward to me. But the overall impression I got was def. 4 stars. and I do recommend it if you are planning, or remembering, a trip to the Maritimes, or for anyone if you can find it at your library.… (more)

Both textually and visually similar to Return to the Sea, East to the Sea (also written and illustrated by Heidi Jardine Stoddart) lovingly describes another family vacation at a grandfather's cottage in New Brunswick (although no names are mentioned, I believe that it is the same family who is featured in Return to the Sea except that the three sisters are quite a bit younger). With an engaging poetical text and lovely illustrations, the one main difference between East to the Sea and Return to the Sea is that while the latter focuses not only on the sea, but also on many of the sights and sounds, the tourist attractions of Atlantic Canada, the former focuses primarily on the family's fun at the beach (making sandcastles, swimming, climbing rocks, beachside picnics, family bonfires on moonlit nights). Evocative of the sea, of Atlantic Canada's ocean beauty, this little gem is a wonderful homage to The Maritimes and highly recommended for anyone who enjoys poetical tales about magical, relaxing, but at the same time culturally and geographically enriching seaside family vacations.… (more)

Both a loving depiction/description of a fun and adventurous family vacation and an informative journey to and through Atlantic Canada, Return to the Sea, written and illustrated by Heidi Jardine Stoddart, leaves me feeling both nostalgic and warm and fuzzy (I went to university in New Brunswick, and the poetic descriptions and illustrations of Martime landmarks like Peggy's Cove, the russet coloured roads of Prince Edward Island, the famous tides of the Bay of Fundy are like meeting old and dear friends.).

Some of the poetry might be a bit disjointed and forced, and the illustrated human figures at times show lips that are rather too prominent for my own personal tastes, but for me, that does not really matter all that much, so enchanted am I with and by both text and illustrations. Recommended for children (and adults) interested in Atlantic Canada (and not just the seaside and beaches, Return to the Sea also shows the Citadel at Halifax, the longest covered bridge in the world at Hartland, New Brunswick, and on the trip to the East Coast, "Vieux Québec" with its chateau, rising above the St. Lawrence River like an immense glowing jewel). And while I would probably not want to buy and wear a hat with Anne of Green Gables braids attached, I was tickled to see one of my favourite Canadian literary characters mentioned, and could well imagine how wearing these hats would have been great fun for the three vacationing sisters.

There is, however, one specific scene/description in the book that I did not enjoy all that much (on Prince Edward Island), and that is the marine saltwater touch tank at the pier, where tourists can seemingly both see and touch lobsters and other sea creatures. I just don't think that a touch-tank is all that animal or nature friendly; these marine creatures should be in the ocean, not in a sterile touch tank (no matter how large) to be pawed at and examined by curious tourists. However, that small episode does not greatly affect my general enchantment with this delightful little gem of a picture book, although I do wish that the author had decided to describe a different scene, a different PEI tourist attraction.… (more)