Joanne Schwartz Books

An interesting and evocative picture book, transporting readers to a 1950s Canadian mining town through the eyes of a young boy.

The boy gazes at the sea in the mornings, always aware that his father is working deep below it in the coal mine. This first-person narrative immerses us directly into the boy’s everyday world, steeped in the legacy of a challenging industry.

Sidney Smith’s sweeping illustrations contrast the shimmering seascape with the darkened world of the mine. This visual juxtaposition powerfully highlights the boy’s unspoken future, stirring profound questions about choice as he wonders at his own destiny.

The rhythmic book offers rich opportunities for discussion in Key Stage 2 classrooms about family heritage, community and whether paths are truly inevitable or open to change. A powerful and thought-provoking book.