The Seal on the Beach

Written in a strongly poetic style, the text is light and well chosen, mirrored by Granstrom’s characteristic illustrations which are typically full of warmth and feeling. This story provides many talking points, gently exposing the youngest readers to the potential of family disruption and ill health; the concept of patience and the time it takes for healing in both the human and the natural world; the sense that even in the very young individual responsibility can be found and conservation can lie in your hands. Yet because these themes are met with such beautiful full colour spreads, and because the language used is so thoughtfully selected, the story remains overwhelmingly hopeful. ~Books for Keeps

This treasure of a picture book celebrates the delights of a British seaside holiday…Mara Bergman’s episodic, poetic prose is every bit as elegant as Brita Granstrom’s beautiful watercolours, which are a joy to behold. Feast your eyes on the seaweed, snail and shell strewn endpapers before reading the story with children. For adult sharers it will likely bring back memories of their own childhood summer seaside adventures. ~Red Reading Hub

This is a beautiful, lyrical, incredibly touching story. It could almost be a book of poems. Its ‘chapters’ are short, sweet and set out to look like poems, accompanied by the most wonderful watercolour illustrations, they truly bring the story to life, they take us into Magie’s thoughts, fears, hopes, and show us how events unfold through her eyes. Mara Bergman and Brita Granstrom have, with their words and illustrations, made a story that will stay in the hearts and minds of its readers for a very long time. The Seal on the Beach is a magical, incredibly special story, and make sure to turn the pages all the way to the very end for there is a note about the inspiration for this story, a heartwarming one. ~Armadillo Magazine

beautiful, atmospheric illustrations...I strongly recommend this charming picture book. ~The Letterpress Project