The Little Tree by the Sea

On December 6, 1917, two tramp steamers, the Mont-Blanc and the Imo, collided in wartime Halifax Harbour. Steel grating on steel caused sparks to fly creating what became the largest man-made explosion of its time.

More than 2000 people died (500 of those children) and 9,000 were injured. It left 6,000 people homeless and an additional 19,000 without adequate shelter. The blast destroyed or damaged 6630 buildings.

One of the most generous responses came from Boston and the state of Massachusetts. Within 48 hours it organized trains to carry 33 doctors, 79 nurses, and six representatives of relief agencies. In honour of this act of compassion and generosity, every year the province of Nova Scotia sends the City of Boston one of its most beautiful trees. The tree lighting usually takes place in November on the Boston Common. Traditionally, the Nova Scotia tree is always the first tree lit on the Common.

John DeMont is the award-winning author of the bestsellers Citizens Irving: The Irvings of New Brunswick and The Last Best Place: Lost in the Heart of Nova Scotia. He is the formerAtlantic bureau chief for Macleans Magazine and columnist and staff journalist for Chronicle Herald. He has written for a wide range of national and international publications, including the Financial Times, Canadian Geographic and The Walrus.

Belle DeMont's unique talent is obvious to anyone who looks at her work. Her love of visual story telling brought her to NSCAD and she continues to live and work in her hometown of Halifax. Although The Little Tree By the Sea is Belle's first book, it signals the emergence of a major young talent. Belle and John have been together since birth!

Release Date Sept. 2017