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Review by
Louella Moreland
"Toy Boat," a new picture book for young children, is a delight to the
ear and eyes! This is such a simple story about a boy and his favorite toy
who do everything together until the day the boat becomes adrift on the
lake. The little boat is alone and frightened, just as any little boy would
be without his constant companion. Of course, through the kindness of an
"older, wiser" boat, the toy boat makes it safely back to the arms of the
little boy.
A simple story, yes. An uncomplicated story, no! Randall de Seve uses
words sparingly and precisely in the text. Each sentence and each phrase
evokes strong emotion. Set into the vibrant, glowing illustrations of Loren
Long, they become a combination of sound and sights that enchant readers of
all ages.
Quite honestly, I found myself "drinking in" every detail of each
picture, whether a full two-page spread or the endpapers that contain all
the pieces that made up this incredible little boat.
After rereading the book I became aware of one more effect the
illustrator uses to help the reader better understand the story. The toy
boat's adventure and transition uses full-page color. We see the toy boat as
a "real" boat on these beautifully crafted pages. In contrast, the boat's
"life" as a toy for the boy uses a white frame for the pictures, with text
on a totally white page.
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The toy boat is especially touching since it is a homemade toy built
of a tin can, pencil, cork, twigs and cloth. We can tell the little
boy treasures it because he so obviously constructed it himself. The
other boats the toy encounters on his adventure dwarf him, but each
takes on the persona of its class, from the tired, working tugboat
to the swift-moving sailboats that appear like birds flying across
the page. Even the butter-colored moon in the night sky seems to be
weeping as it gazes down at the small boat drifting alone on the
dark lake water.
Last but not least, readers are engaged in the movement of each
page. Wind and water blow, bounce, toss and drip with a clarity
beyond reality and into dreams. Light reflects from surfaces that
refuse to look two-dimensional on a page.
Don't miss this quiet picture book. It is a prize worth spending
time with, curled up with someone small to share its delight. Even
if you lack children or grandchildren of your own, no matter what
your age in years, catch this little treasure and remember the time
when days were spent at a slow pace, being shared with your favorite
toy.
To check out this book or other favorites, come visit us at
Lincoln Public Library, 725 Pekin St. We would love to help you find
a new jewel in print.
[Text from file received from
Louella Moreland,
Lincoln Public Library District]
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