Sail Away

Donald Crew's "Sail Away" was a favorite of our toddler. It's awash with the colors and textures of the sea, and uses minimal but effective text. As a family of four set out on "a perfect day for sailing," they "row the dinghy out to our sailboat" among soft blues and greens and foggy mists lying over the still bay. Crew's New England seascape includes a wooden bridge (drawn from below), a lighthouse on a hill, and a WHOOSH! of wind as they ride the waves. The varied font sizes and colors (there also a gigantic "SAIL AWAY."), make this simple story of a day on the water an exciting and engaging one. Later, the "clear skies turn cloudy and gray." Soon, the waves are high and peaked, the clouds much greyer, and Cruise adds yet more drama with a big-fonted "Angry seas," and the shouted command "Shorten sails!" As the boat heads home, the storm abates, night begins to fall, and the lighthouse illuminates the bay. In a particularly beautiful picture, the sailboat floats under the silhouetted bridge, decorated with tiny white lights over its suspension wires. The family makes it safely and calmly back, and in a green, quiet sea, we view the now empty, now tranquil boat, "moored!" I'm not sure how many kids will know the meaning of "moored," but this is a nearly perfect book for toddlers and younger: A simple but exciting story, with colorful illustrations, and a soft and comforting conclusion. Very well done!

My 3 year old son loves this book. He often goes sailing with his Uncle in Sydney Harbour. This book helps him recall those special times with his Uncle. He adds to the story with his own memories. We have checked this book out from the library twice, and I now think that it is something that we need to buy.