JACK’S NEW BOAT

Jack can’t wait to sail the toy sailboat his Uncle Jim made for him. Every day of his vacation he asks, “Please can I sail my boat today?” and every day his uncle tells him to wait for a calmer sea. Days of stormy weather pass, so the minute the rain stops, Jack races to the beach and puts the boat in the water, thinking it will be “only for a moment.” But the small sailboat disappears beneath a giant wave! The two spend hours searching for the toy, only to find it in the harbor, and only slightly worse for wear. While the story does indirectly extol the virtues of patience, it does thankfully forego a pound-on-the-head lesson to focus instead on Uncle Jim’s sympathy for and friendship with his nephew. The summery illustrations, in paper collage and gouache, are gorgeous, especially as they capture the motion and moods of the ocean with bold brushstrokes and moody blues. As simple and satisfying as a toy sailboat on a salty sea. (Picture book. 3-5)