A gentle tribute to the power of nature to help regulate difficult feelings.--Kirkus

The Ugly Place is a relatable and reassuring read that serves as a timely reminder that nature is healing and the tide will always turn.--Hakai Magazine

Children and adults alike can learn from The Ugly Place. Teachers and caregivers can keep this story on hand to read when any little ones need to be brought out of a funk, to remind them that the ugly moment will pass, and to remind them that engaging with the outdoors is a positive way to find the beauty and opportunities in life.--CM: Canadian Review of Materials

It's a place for insight and reflection, thoughtfulness and solitude, all of which reverberate in Laura Deal's text.--CanLit for Little Canadians

The Ugly Place is a charming, thoughtful story with layers that will reward rereading. Blending an often overlooked setting with an important topic, this is a book that will make any shelf quite a bit more beautiful.--Quill & Quire

Laura Deal lives in Iqaluit, Nunavut, and is originally from Musquodoboit, Nova Scotia. She enjoys writing and many other forms of creative arts. She believes it is important for children, like her daughter, to see their own stories reflected in the pages of Northern-based storybooks. Laura is the author of In the Sky at Nighttime and How Nivi Got Her Names, which is also available as a short film.

Emma Pedersen is an illustrator from Toronto working in the publishing and animation industries. She graduated from OCADU with a major in drawing and painting. She is also a graduate of Sheridan’s Illustration program. When not working (which is rare!) she enjoys visiting used book stores, planning her next trip abroad, and snuggling her dog when he’ll actually sit still.