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?

With a strong message of community-building and climate activism, this charming debut children's picture book from celebrated author Sal Sawler and award-winning illustrator Emma FitzGerald will inspire young readers to rebuild better, together. (From Nimbus Publishing)

Mr. Orlando will champion When the Ocean Came to Town by Sal Sawler, illustrated by Emma FitzGerald on CBC Kids Reads.

The 2024 CBC Kids Reads Special will air on March 7 at 8:10 a.m. local time. CBC Kids hosts Tony, Janaye, Gary the Unicorn, Mr. Orlando, Cottonball and Mosey, along with kids from across Canada will present — through dance, song, baking and art —why their picture book should be crowned this year's winner!

Sal Sawler is a writer from Kjipuktuk/Halifax. They are also the author of 100 Things You Don't Know About Atlantic Canada — For Kids that was on the Hackmatack Award shortlist, and 100 Things You Don't Know About Nova Scotia. When the Ocean Came to Town is their first picture book.

Emma FitzGerald is a South African-born writer and illustrator who grew up in Vancouver and is now based in Lunenburg. N.S. She has written and illustrated titles such as Hand Drawn Halifax and illustrated A Pocket of Time, which was shortlisted for the 2020 Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Canadian Picture Book Award.