I was reminded of this children's book, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paddle-to-the-Sea

I have not thought of it for many many years.

Same! Here's the short film of Paddle to the Sea produced by NFB of Canada - We used to watch this in grade school in the 80s. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhjb1IG1pnQ

I loved it. Still watch it every couple years.

I watched the movie in my classes in the 1970’s…another experience I haven’t thought of for many many years.

My first exposure to that book was in an episode of "Northern Exposure" [1].

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQBFFQ8ZX94

Paddle-to-the-Sea was the very first thing I thought of too.