I am filled with awe at the wonderful 5-star reviews A Day on the Brine is receiving and thank you all for your support.
‘A Day on the Brine is a charming, rhythmic journey through the ocean’s wonders, seen through the eyes of a curious captain and the creatures she encounters on her voyage. With lyrical, repetitive verse and vibrant illustrations, the book flows from one sea creature to the next, capturing the natural rhythms of marine life from sunrise to moonrise. Set off the west coast of Australia, this tale speaks to the interconnectedness of life on the ocean and the quiet magic of the sea.
Right from the start, I was pulled in by the rhythm. The repeated structure—“And what do you think she sees?” makes it feel like a lullaby, or a chant you’d say to a child while swaying on a boat. It’s simple, but it works. I especially loved the line about the “squid pink and shy” who “peeks at the sky.” That moment stuck with me, there’s something so soft and endearing about it. It’s playful but also poetic. The use of double adjectives, “white/white,” “pink/pink,” “green/green,” initially felt unusual, but they started to feel like waves lapping: steady, repeated, calming.
The writing isn’t trying to be clever. It’s honest and kind. There’s a real respect for the sea here, and that shines through the gentle language and Emma Stuart’s dreamy illustrations. I found myself lingering on the page with the “whale large and grey” coming up for a play. That spread, both in words and visuals, felt alive. There’s no heavy lesson being pushed, but you still get this sense of awe for marine life and the beauty of slowing down to look at the world.
One thing I appreciated deeply is the circular nature of the story. It begins and ends with the big blue boat, creating a feeling of coming home, of completing a cycle. The moon watching the boat and captain at the end made me smile. It’s subtle, but it tugs at something warm in you. It reminded me of how, as a kid, I’d imagine the moon following me on car rides home. Also, the glossary and activities at the end are a nice bonus, educational without being dry, and great for curious young readers. This book is a delight. If you’ve got little ones who love the ocean, or if you just want something calming and beautiful to read together at bedtime, A Day on the Brine is for you. It’s got heart, rhythm, and a soft sense of wonder. I’d recommend it to families, early educators, or anyone who finds peace in the sea.’
Literary Titan
‘Our oceans are home to many living creatures and a place of exploration, lifestyle and recreation for humans. Each living creature sees and experiences this environment from their own perspective, whether it be a bird in the sky, a fish or whale in the sea or a human on a boat. Susea Spray captures the interplay between the members of this ecosystem in a fun and engaging way so that the target audience, young readers, can imagine how life looks and events unfold beyond the shores of our lands. These interplays are captured beautifully by the charming watercolour illustrations that the illustrator, Emma Stuart contributes. The Glossary and interactive sections at the end add further to the educational value of this delightful children’s book.’
Julia Seaborn
A gorgeous book, with stunning artwork. I love how the perspective changes with each page, taking the reader on an adventure from the skies to the depths of the ocean.
Angela Svarc
A delightful read for ocean lovers. You’ll discover so much about marine animals and the coastal world. The story is told from each character’s point of view, which makes it extra fun. When you’re on a big blue boat, in the brine, or up in the sky, what do you think you’ll see?
Rella B
A beautiful story that relates to the food chain in the brine.Colourful illustrations in the book, would captivate the young minds. A good educational read.
Diyamanthi
I was so excited to receive my copy of A Big Blue Boat – A Day On The Brine by Susea Spray and Emma Stuart. I love the lyrical text, the repetition, and how the story builds and demonstrates the interdependence of sea creatures while also showing where humans fit within the cycle. Set over a day from dawn to dusk, the ending is clever and fitting with the essence of the story. With the most beautiful illustrations from Emma Stuart, there is so much opportunity for the reader to interact with the story and so much discussion to be had. A lovely companion to A Big Blue Boat. Congratulations, Susea and Emma.
Pat Grafton, author and teacher
A Day on the Brine reflects one girl’s adventurous day out on the sea, as captain of a boat, from dawn to dusk. Each page builds upon the next, using brilliant repetition, along with new discoveries of what lays within and around the big, blue sea. Emma Stuart’s bright and colourful illustrations truly compliment Susea Spray’s beautiful words in this story. The detail to attention is excellent. A glossary is included at the end, giving details of the animals encountered throughout the day. This magical story, full of beautiful rhyme, rhythm and repetition, is a must read for everyone.
Sandy Summons
A Day on the Brine looks absolutely beautiful – the illustrations are stunning, and I love the layered storytelling approach.
Laura
