When the Ocean Came to Town

A love letter to the ocean.

This charming debut children’s book from celebrated local author Sal Sawler and award-winning illustrator Emma FitzGerald brings a strong message of community-building and climate activism to inspire young readers to rebuild better solutions, together.

A great storm is coming.

Gretchen loves the ocean. She dreams of going to the beach on her own, with no one to make her leave before she’s ready. But between whispers of oil, plastic, and a rising sea, her parents warn her not to underestimate the strength of the water. A great storm is coming and everyone, big and small, must prepare to meet it when it does.

Gretchen soon sees the ocean’s power firsthand when the tides rise high enough to threaten her home. Can she help her neighbours rebuild after the storm is over, or is the damage too great?