The Boy Who Held Back the Sea

This beautifully illustrated retelling of a traditional Dutch folktale introduces Jan, a seemingly ordinary boy who finds himself in an extraordinary situation. When he discovers a tiny leak in the vital dike protecting his low-lying village from the sea, Jan must overcome his initial fear and act quickly. The story follows his courageous efforts to hold back the encroaching water, highlighting themes of bravery, responsibility, and the power of an individual to make a difference. Thomas Locker's renowned oil-painted illustrations bring the dramatic landscape and the boy's determination vividly to life, making it a visually stunning and emotionally resonant read-aloud for children aged 4-11.

From the award-winning and renowned illustrator Thomas Locker, beautiful oil-painted illustrations pair with this wonderful retelling of the traditional Dutch folktale. Jan had never done anything more heroic than shout for the guard because he’d imagined he’d seen a sea serpent. But when Jan discovered water trickling through a desolate stretch of the dike that protected his low-lying village, he knew he had to act fast. “Visually stunning.”—Publishers Weekly "Locker's depiction of nature overpowering humanity is especially significant to the story and to the Dutch people who have spent centuries battling the sea."--School Library Journal