The Fish House Door

Robert F. Baldwin (1934-2007) was a modern day troubadour, singing, playing the banjo and collecting and telling stories wherever he went. Born in Norfolk, Virginia, he attended 12 grade schools and the excitement of exploring new places stayed with him all his life. His articles and stories about the sea, the people who work on it, and the creatures that live in it have appeared in Sea Frontiers, Down East, Offshore, Maine Boats and Harbors and Yankee. His children's books include New England Whaler, This is the Sea That Feeds Us and Cities Through Time: Beijing. After living in Virginia, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Iowa, Bob and his wife Annabelle settled in Newcastle, Maine, where Bob first heard the story of the fish house door.

Astrid Sheckels cannot remember a time when she was not telling or illustrating stories, especially ones involving imaginary animals. A native of western Massachusetts and growing up in an artistic family, Astrid spent her childhood playing outside, using her imagination, and drawing. Her Scandinavian roots are evident in her artwork, which she describes as a “mix of classic realism and whimsy.” She studied Fine Art at Greenfield Community College and works as a full-time artist. She is a member of the Western Massachusetts Illustrators Guild and The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.
 
Astrid is the author/illustrator of “Hector Fox and the Giant Quest”, the first book in the whimsical Hector Fox series. Her debut as an author/illustrator is the award-winning "Nic and Nellie" (2013). As an illustrator, her other award-winning Islandport Press titles are "The Scallop Christmas" (Freeburg, 2009) and "The Fish House Door" (Baldwin, 2010).

"I've got a very special place in my heart for Maine books. Written by Maine authors. Published by Maine publishers. So I'm not surprised I fell in love with the book. The sweet story of a boy named Shawn who finds that value is in the eye of the beholder. A typical Maine family passing down the skills of the trade and generations of wisdom. The descriptive language of this book paired with the incredible illustrations will put you right on Maine's coast. The art work is comprised of gorgeous paintings and rich colors. My daughter especially loved the buoys."
––Melissa Marquis, Children's Book Review (Instagram, @childrens_book_review)

“The Fish House Door by Robert F. Baldwin is a vivid glance at small time life by the shore in Maine. The story has surprising depth for a children's book: it explores moments of quiet companionship between father and son, as well as a gentle message about what defines beauty and value.”
—The Black Sheep Dances