Town Is by the Sea

Omg, the sparkling sea... that spread alone justifies the choice of illustrator imo. But the book is about what it was like to be a miner's child, destined to be a miner, destined to a grave before having a chance to know one's grandchildren... and that, too, is shown effectively in text and in art.

The only quibble I have is that this takes place in the 1950s. Families, please do not be complacent and think that this represents the bad old days. There is still dirty, dangerous work that saps a person's strength being done around the world. Often by teens. Think of the sweatshop labor that makes your cheap 'fast fashion' for example.

Reads like a poem, a perfect poem, about a day in the life of a boy from a coal mining town. His father goes to the mines; the boy plays outside. The illustrations of the boy by the glittering sea are juxtaposed with images of the father in a dark, oppressive underground tunnel.

The story includes the boy visiting the seaside grave of his grandfather (also a coal miner). The pictures lead the reader to believe that the tunnel the father was working in may have collapsed (but the father does come home unharmed at the end of the day). The book ends with the boy revealing, quietly but dramatically, that he will one day join his father in the mines.

So I think there is a subtle message in the book that older children and adults will pick up show more on. I feel like the message is about recognizing the bittersweet nature of growing up in a coal mining town by the sea. On the one hand, there's beauty and simplicity and stability (at least there was in the 1950s). On the other, there's the fact that it's a dangerous profession and the boy's future is already decided for him.

I can see this book as an ode to hardworking coal mining families. At the same time the story acknowledges that it may not be what a person would choose, if they had a choice. show less

This book contrasts a bright coastal childhood with the dark reality of mining life, which creates a powerful and emotional reading experience. Definitely recommend for middles school!

I don't like this style of illustration; the muted colors, smudged blurry lines, and overall more somber tones. The story is so brilliant, however, I still have to give it a good rating. The rich vocabulary, simple but clear explanation of the day's activities, descriptive sentences, and a look into a mining town.

This is an absolutely breathtaking book about a boy in a mining town describing his typical day, all the while his father is far below the beautiful, sunny sea, mining for coal. The illustrations in this book are beyond words. Illustration types vary from full spreads to vignettes to panels. One double page spread in particular depicts the sea with the sun shining down and it is amazing. This book is about the sacrifices people will make for their families and could be used to teach historical context of what it would be like to grow up in a generation of miners and what mining coal entails.

Town Is by the Sea by Joanne Schwartz (Author), Sydney Smith (Illustrator) is a beautiful children's picture book with wonderful illustrations. I loved the feeling and views of the sea tough less enthralled with the illustrations of mining under the sea. Those are sort of depressing as meant to be. I heartily recommend this book for children and for adults like me who are inspired by picture books for young children.

1st Grade
I enjoyed this book and know it would be a great way to effectively implement the questioning strategy. The young boy's story is moving and the absence of names makes it easy for anyone to place themselves into the story.