WHAT A SHIP SEES

A small red boat chugs through seas rough and smooth, past fish, floating plastic, and other nautical sights.

The voyage, printed on one side of a long, accordion-folded sheet, begins in a crowded harbor, continues past a (rather lush) “desert island” and through a storm, pauses while the crew (one brown-skinned, one pale) nets some floating garbage, then passes icebergs and seals on the way to a new mooring. “This little ship has seen so many things on its travels. Goodbye, ocean! Hello, land!” Expanded explanations of the kinds of ships and boats on view, along with a cutaway look at the red boat’s insides, notes on water safety and the importance of picking up litter, glimpses of select wildlife from gulls to whales, and a taste of nautical flags and terminology fill the overleaf. The animals smile, the two sailors cuddle in a peaceful moment, and, except in the storm scene, the waters in Mineker’s simple, stylized illustrations are glassy smooth, so there’s an overall sense of sunny serenity to the entire outing. The format lends itself equally well to sharing on laps or laying it out on the floor.

An idyllic miniodyssey for young tars and travelers alike.