The Magic Boat

January 24, 2020

K-Gr 3-It is amazing what an old boat and a little bit of imagination can accomplish when friendship is involved. Ellie and her grandmother go to the beach together every morning in the summer. Though she loves this time to build sandcastles and collect seashells, Ellie's shy demeanor keeps her from playing with the other kids at the beach. One day, she notices an older girl watching her from her perch on an old tree trunk; after a moment, Piper invites Ellie to her magic boat and the girls experience adventures on the sea, in the sky, and even beneath the ocean's surface. When Piper has to go back to the city, Ellie loses her inspiration to pretend. That is, until a new friend appears at the beach, who is exactly the kind of person Ellie needs. The vibrant illustrations bring the feel and look of the seashore to life for readers, accompanied by elegant and descriptive text. Readers of all ages will fondly remember days of pretend play, and will undoubtedly proceed to find their own magic boats after the story ends. Celebrating the rich world that can be found within a shy child's mind, this book is especially suited to those who may not easily approach others in friendship. This is a beautiful accompaniment to a real-life seaside visit. VERDICT This story will be enjoyed by older elementary school students who love imaginary adventure.-Mary Lanni, formerly at Denver Public Library

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 15, 2019
A shy girl bonds with new friends through the wonders of imagination in this Canadian collaboration.Ellie spends the summer with her grandmother at the beach. Too nervous to approach the other children, the young white girl keeps mostly to herself making sand castles and playing in the cool water until, while collecting pebbles, she happens upon Piper, an older girl of color who has a magic boat. Ellie is skeptical at first, but her doubts disappear as Piper takes them out to sea, racing on the water and surrounded by marine life. Moments later, the girls are flying as the boat turns into a balloon, and they share the sky with several birds and an intrepid ladybug. That is, until Nonna calls the pair to lunch. Pearson and Farris' prose moves seamlessly from the easy unhurriedness of summer play to the weightier awe of discovery. Grimard keeps visual pace with warm watercolors and pencil-sketched shading and lines that feel light but never fluffy, capturing the dynamic fluidity between real and pretend. The illustrations do, at times, feel as though they are missing some elements mentioned in the text--the emphasis on discovery prompts readers to scour the pages for the wildlife being mentioned, for instance. But an overall and well-developed theme of imagination and connection (even when you're nervous) far outweighs the small gaps.Infectiously delightful. (Picture book. 4-7)

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