Jonathan and the Big Blue Boat Hardcover – June 7, 2011

Good book, but not as good as "A Sick Day for Amos McGee," but I love the art work. k

This book has brought smiles to our children's faces and captivated them from beginning to end. Love the colors and the story. Such a surprise!

Both the story line and the illustrations are wonderful! Congratulations to Philip Stead for another great book! Every classroom and every home should have a copy.

Cute book. It;s a gift for my nephew "Jonathan" LOL. Nice price too !

I would highly recommend this book. Our entire family enjoyed this story. Rate it five star! The illustrations are really great.

I am so delighted with this book. The images are lovely, compelling, and beautifully rendered. The story is sweet and encouraging. It's perfect.

Jonathan held his teddy bear, Jonathan, aloft so he too could take a look at the Big Blue Boat that was anchored in the harbor. It was such a fun thing to do that they "would stay at the old wharf till sunset, looking up at its rusty blue hull." Jonathan and Frederick were great pals and they loved each other's company, but one day Jonathan's mother traded Frederick for a toaster. After all, a ratty old teddy bear is useless, but toasters are very handy and dandy. Jonathan, head down, walked past some old brownstones and went to see the Big Blue Boat all by his lonesome.An old tugboat captain stared down and Jonathan, who was very sad and lonesome without Frederick. When asked, Jonathan told him the sad tale of his missing friend. Jonathan had an idea and before you know it he was on the Big Blue Boat in search of Frederick. Storms tossed the boat until it was high on top of a pointed island. Not all was lost because Jonathan met a mountain goat who would help him out of his predicament. Along with his new first mate, Jonathan soon set sail to find Frederick. They would soon meet a circus elephant, a whale, and even tussle with some pirates who threatened to take over the Big Blue Boat, but would they ever be able to find Frederick?This dashing, daring, and slightly zany tale will entrance the young reader. Jonathan's imaginative adventure is definitely enhanced by the unusual mix of collage and acrylic. The collage contains snippets of maps, worldwide postage stamps, and ephemera. For example, one of the sails on the pirate ship is made up of two triangle stamps. A young student could have fun tracing where in the world the Big Blue Boat and its crew went in search of Frederick by taking a close look at the fabulous artwork. Philip Stead is also the author of "Creamed Tuna Fish and Peas on Toast" and the 2011 Caldecott Medal winner, "A Sick Day for Amos McGee." If you enjoyed Amos, you'll certainly love traveling the world with Jonathan on his search for Frederick!

SUMMARY:Jonathan loves his teddy bear, Frederick very much. They loved to go look at the large blue ship at the wharf. But one day, Jonathan finds out that his parents traded Frederick for a toaster. Frederick sets out alone on the big blue ship in search of Frederick. Along the way he meets animals who are happy to join him on his quest to find Frederick.ILLUSTRATIONS: The illustrations were created with a mix of collage and acrylic paint. Although they are highly interesting, they are also very very busy which is distracting. At times the illustrations are quite muddy making them difficult to understand.THE GOOD: This story is high in imagination. One would not expect a boy to sail away on his own to look for his lost teddy bear. The illustrations are complex and older readers may enjoy them.THE NOT AS GOOD: I was quite upset by the beginning of the story where the parents trade Jonathan's most prized possession to get something for themselves. Then this very young boy sets out ALONE on a huge ship to search out his friend. I felt disturbed and sad that the boy is alone on the world. And although he collects new friends along the way, he never goes back home, but simply keeps on sailing. The conclusion of the story made sad rather than relieved.AGE RECOMMENDATION: Ages 4-8