Joined by Mainstreet host Bob Murphy, students spoke with Schwartz and Smith about the history of coal mining in their home province, and how families like theirs might have been affected by this dangerous work not so long ago.
Image | Interior artwork in progress from Town Is by the Sea
Caption: Illustrator Sydney Smith displays some of his artworks-in-progress from the making of the children's book Town Is by the Sea. (Carsten Knox/CBC)
Prior to the classroom visit, CBC Radio's Carsten Knox dropped by Prospect Road Elementary for a conversation with students about their initial impressions of Town Is by the Sea.
Media Audio | Mainstreet NS : Halifax TD Kids Book Club
Caption: Students at Prospect Road Elementary School share their impressions of Town Is by the Sea, a picture book by Joanne Schwartz and Sydney Smith.
Image | Town Is by the Sea creators visit with readers
Caption: Students at Prospect Road Elementary School in Halifax, N.S. visit with Town Is by the Sea co-creators Joanne Schwartz and Sydney Smith. (Carsten Knox/CBC)
Students also spoke with their teacher about aspects of the book they liked and disliked — and how it made them reflect on their own parents' work differently.
"My mom works at the IWK [Health Centre] helping babies and stuff," said one young reader. "I just wonder what that would feel like, and what happens there."
"My favourite part [of the book] was when his dad came home and the boy knew that his dad was safe," said another student.
Media Audio | CBC Books : Young readers review Town Is by the Sea
Caption: Students participating in a TD Kids Book Club at Prospect Road Elementary School in Halifax, N.S. talk about their favourite parts of Town Is by the Sea.