One-Button and the Sea
Published on 7. August 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
32 pages
978-1-83630-033-5 (ISBN)
Description
Through collaborative story telling, a child and his grandfather explore a traumatic experience they have shared.
'Grandpa, tell me the story again of when we went to sea. That's a BIG story, One-Button.
How does it begin? It begins with the uprooting . . .'
And so Grandpa tells the story of how he and One-Button and their whole community were uprooted from their everyday lives, and how they all had to take to sea in different boats. Until one day everything changed, and they were able to return home and resume their previous lives...different, but the same.
'A beautiful resonant fable about memory, love and hope - brought to life with luminous illustrations.' Chris Riddell
'Grandpa, tell me the story again of when we went to sea. That's a BIG story, One-Button.
How does it begin? It begins with the uprooting . . .'
And so Grandpa tells the story of how he and One-Button and their whole community were uprooted from their everyday lives, and how they all had to take to sea in different boats. Until one day everything changed, and they were able to return home and resume their previous lives...different, but the same.
'A beautiful resonant fable about memory, love and hope - brought to life with luminous illustrations.' Chris Riddell
Reviews / Votes
'A wonderful debut from Sara Stanley and another brilliantly illustrated picture book from award winning illustrator Vivianne Schwarz. Recommended for all primary school classrooms. - Just Imagine'The story can be read in a multitude of ways and provides so many openings for conversation and discussion. Each question One-Button asks is an opportunity for readers to consider the answer and provide their own. The sea journey too can be so many things: a journey undertaken by refugees, by those avoiding climate change, or is it a metaphor for grief and recovery or for life itself? In addition to posing questions, text and illustrations provide reassurance, moments of comfort and comedy, and a sense of the unending nature of things. A big story indeed, and one that is highly recommended.' Books for Keeps
'The key message that every community needs familiarity, contact and support shine through on every page.' Reading Zone
'This is a lovely story for introducing ideas of displacement with young readers. The peril of the sea and the emotions of each character are beautifully illustrated with appealing splashes of colour. There is so much to look at and discuss.' Scope for Imagination
'Highly recommended for reading with EYFS and KS1 children, and for discussing to encourage empathy. A beautifully written and illustrated modern fable.' School Reading List
'An outstanding, evocative story explaining challenging concepts to young readers and it is filled with beautiful illustrations from Viviane Schwarz.' Armadillo Magazine
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Target group
Children/juvenile
Illustrations
Full colour throughout
Dimensions
Height: 225 mm
Width: 275 mm
Thickness: 6 mm
Weight
198 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-83630-033-5 (9781836300335)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
SARA STANLEY is an Early Years Consultant specialising in philosophical storyplay in the UK and South Africa. She has worked with displaced families in Northern France, and also as a bookseller.
VIVIANE SCHWARZ has written and illustrated many picture books which have been translated all over the world and won awards including two shortlistings for the CILIP Kate Greenaway, winner of the 2016 Little Rebels Award and UK IBBY Honour List nominee in 2018.
VIVIANE SCHWARZ has written and illustrated many picture books which have been translated all over the world and won awards including two shortlistings for the CILIP Kate Greenaway, winner of the 2016 Little Rebels Award and UK IBBY Honour List nominee in 2018.