The Seal on the Beach

Maggie is on holiday, at the seaside, with her aunt and uncle. She appears initially to be enjoying all the expected seaside traditions of a British summer holiday: a picnic on the beach, ice cream on the pier, a cliff walk. But then the second strand to the story is introduced and the reason for the holiday becomes clear. Aunt Jean and Uncle Jack are looking after Maggie whilst her mum remains in hospital with her poorly baby brother. This parallel theme, once introduced, continues to intersperse the individual tales of the family’s seaside adventures – often via dreams which come to Maggie, reminding her of home. On one occasion the family stumble across a seal pup stranded on the beach and Maggie assumes the role of championing the seal’s rescue and survival, perhaps as a goal which is more achievable for her than her being able to have any impact on her brother’s recovery. Almost at once, the seal pup becomes as much as part of her dreams as her concerns about home. Fortunately, both strands of the story end happily, with the family being reunited and everyone returning to the beach to watch the seal be released back into the wild.

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.