Where River Meets Sea: A Q&A with Holly Stark, Author of Finn and Brine at the Edge of the Tide

In Finn and Brine at the Edge of the Tide, Holly Stark brings readers a beautifully calm and thoughtful picture book set in the unique landscape of the Humber Estuary. Through the meeting of two very different fish - one from freshwater, one from the sea - the story gently explores friendship, difference, and the quiet magic of the natural world.

With soft storytelling and a strong sense of place, the book introduces young readers to the concept of estuaries - where river and sea meet - while also sharing a meaningful message about connection, curiosity, and understanding one another.

We caught up with Holly to learn more about the inspiration behind Finn and Brine, and the world that exists at the edge of the tide.

Finn and Brine at the Edge of the Tide has such a calm tone. What inspired you to tell this story?

The story was inspired by a conversation with my dad as we were crossing the Humber Bridge. We were looking out over the water and talking about the fish that live in the estuary, and that moment stayed with me.

He spoke about how different fish live in different parts of the water and how some can survive in changing conditions while others cannot. That real, local ecology became the starting point for the story.

I wanted to write something calm and thoughtful that connected the reader to local ecology and showed how two beings from different environments might meet at the edge and choose to connect.

The Humber Estuary plays a central role in the book. What drew you to this setting, and why was it important for the story?

I chose the Humber Estuary because it is local to me and something I know well. It is always changing with the tide and the weather, which makes it an interesting and fitting place to set the story.

I believe connection to land is important, and writing about a real place helps keep the story grounded.

Estuaries are where freshwater and saltwater meet, and that brackish area creates a unique environment for different kinds of fish and wildlife. That meeting point felt like the natural setting for Finn and Brine to cross paths.

Finn and Brine come from very different worlds - freshwater and saltwater. What made you want to explore friendship across those differences?

The starting point was a real ecological idea. Some fish, like salmon or flounder, can move between freshwater and saltwater, but most cannot.

That led to the question of what might happen if two from those different environments met at the edge. Would they understand each other? Could they connect?

It became a way of looking at difference without turning it into conflict. The story stays with curiosity. Asking questions, listening, and being open to what you do not yet understand.

In nature, difference often creates richness: biodiversity, balance, life.

The idea of “brackish water” is introduced in a really accessible way for young readers. How did you approach weaving learning into the story so naturally?

Children are naturally inquisitive. They ask why, how, and when, and often come up with questions adults do not always have the answers to.

It felt important that the idea of brackish water was easy to understand for young children and something they could grasp through the story itself. Brackish water is simply where river water meets sea water.

Instead of explaining everything, I let it unfold through the characters. I wanted it to feel clear and natural and to encourage further curiosity and exploration. If it sparks questions, then it has done what it needs to do.

The story unfolds very gently, with small, quiet moments. Why was that calm pacing important to you?

The calm pace allows the reader space to be mindful and present. It slows things down so they can take in the words and artwork, turning the page gradually as the story unfolds.

In a world where information is fast and constant, a story like this offers something quieter. It gives space for thought and time.

It also reflects how the natural world works. Tides come in and out, light shifts gradually, and nothing rushes. It felt right for the story to follow that rhythm.

The natural world feels very vivid, from reeds to tides. Did you draw from real places or experiences when writing these scenes?

Yes, the landscapes in the book are rooted in real places. Pebbly beaches, stretches of foreshore, and the view from the Humber Bridge itself, where you can see the vastness of the river from its midpoint.

The Humber’s ecology, mudflats, birds, reeds, and silt hold a whole world within it. While the book is rooted in a local place, estuaries exist across the world, so the story can reach beyond it.

Spending time there, even just standing still, gives you a sense of how everything moves together and how everything is connected.

Finn and Brine both step slightly outside of what they’ve been told is “safe.” What message do you hope children take from that part of the story?

I hope children feel encouraged to be curious, to ask questions, and to gently explore beyond what they have been told, while still respecting guidance and care from others.

There is a balance there. It is not about recklessness but about openness.

The world can feel very divided at times, and I think stories like this can quietly suggest another way, one rooted in curiosity, empathy, and connection. That feels like an important thing to learn early on.

The ending is subtle and quite emotional, with the two characters returning to their own worlds. Why did you choose to end the story this way?

Because it is true to the world they live in.

In nature, there are limits, both biological and environmental. Finn and Brine can meet, but they cannot live in each other’s worlds for long. Their environments are too different, and I did not want to ignore that. That felt honest to me.

But the meeting still has value. It changes how they see things. Even a short connection can stay with you and shift how you see the world. That felt more honest than forcing a different kind of ending.

There is a quiet beauty in that, a kind of eco-glimmer. Not all connections are permanent, but they can still be meaningful, even transformative.

When you’re not writing, what inspires you - especially when it comes to nature or storytelling?

I love spending time in nature. I think it is important to stay connected to the cycles of the natural world, the seasons and the moon, because we are part of the land.

It also feels important to be mindful and respectful of nature, leaving it as we found it. I often think about our relationship with the natural world and how we might live more gently within it.

Storytelling, for me, is a way of exploring that relationship. A way of asking how we remember that we are not separate from the land, but part of it.

Where can readers and families learn more about you and your work?

You can find me on Instagram at @hollystark, where I share my writing and the landscapes that inspire it.

I also run a happy news page called @essentiallygoodnews, which focuses on positive stories and moments of connection.

I am always interested in creating work that brings people closer, to each other and to the natural world.

You can read more of my work on my website: hollystarklive.wordpress.com.