The Real Boat

K-Gr 3--The story starts off with a tiny paper boat floating softly in a pond. Ridiculed by some animals for not being a real boat, the paper craft sets out for the ocean to prove himself. Along the way, he meets several other kinds of vessels, from a tiny fishing boat to a massive cruise ship, and asks them for directions. With each encounter he learns that each one has its own strengths and limitations, just like him. The story is certainly pleasant, though at 64 pages, the journey is lengthier than most picture books. However, things never get boring, and kids will love to see each new ship that enters the boat's life, and will enjoy trying to locate him in some of the larger art pieces. The illustrations truly elevate this story and make it something quite remarkable. Semykina's mixed media approach is a surreal delight, an Impressionistic daydream that is simultaneously jaw-dropping in detail while being stoically minimal. All her renderings from the massive boats to the jubilant people on them seem to breathe of real life and experience, making the voyage worth taking. VERDICT A whimsical and playful read-aloud for storytimes and one-on-one sharing.--Peter Blenski, Greenfield Public Library, WI