The Maggie B

I'm a scrupulous picture book reviewer. A person can't go around giving EVERY good picture book five stars just because it's enjoyable. When I review a book for younger children I like to point out its unique qualities. It's artistic originality. It's simple but brilliant storytelling. And then you read something like "The Maggie B." and it all goes flying out the window. "The Maggie B." is not particularly original. Its art, while charming, will not bowl you over with its fantastical use of line and color. It's story is told well, but simple. And yet I would be a hard-hearted grinch if I gave this book anything less than the five stars it so richly deserves. The plot of this story is summed up by the Library of Congress like so: "A little girl's wish to sail for a day on a boat named for her `with someone nice for company' comes true". Maggie's little brother is that "someone nice" and the two of them spend the day on their little boat living the sea life. The boat is fully equipped with an apple, peach and orange tree bearing fruit (and a beautiful toucan). There is an abundance of fresh eggs and milk to be had from various chickens and the goat. Maggie herself fishes and serves up sumptuous meals of lobster and peaches with cinnamon and honey for dessert. The day is simple and homey, the only real source of concern a thunderstorm that crashes and booms towards the end of the day. Even then, Maggie thoughtfully battens down the hatches and plays her fiddle to her brother, tucked snugly in his bed. There are only a few books that convey "comfort" well. Tasha Tudor's books do to some degree, as does the occasional Steven Kellogg. But this book tops them all. Author/illustrator Irene Haas has developed a small lovely little tale of two children on the nicest ship in the world. Any little boy or girl who has played house with a younger sibling will gravitate fully to this enchanting little tale. It will not shock you. It will not excite you. But it will wrap you up in a big warm towel just as Maggie does her little brother after taking a splashy bath in the sink. You will not want to leave the ship again.

At the vast age of 25, I still have several of my childhood books. This is one of them, and it would be the last one that I would give up. The Maggie B taught me the art of imagination and the power it has in life. I have taken it with me everywhere, even to the college dorms, so that I could read it when I needed to get away. It teaches responibility and the need for self-reliance. I love this book.

I'm now 24 years old and can still remember the dream. My mother would read this book to me almost every night.

It has been at least 20 years since I read this book...And in my memory has remained my most favorite childhood book. I must have read it over one hundred times...it truly captivated me... I dreamed of being Maggie and having her responsibilities- they seemed so adult yet so much fun! My one and only disappointment with this book is that in the paperback I have, every other page is in black and white. And Irene Haas' beautiful water colors are the main reason I returned to The Maggie B. over and over again. I'm wondering if the hardcover is different or newer copies are different...I'm expecting my first child, and if it's a girl I will definately be reading this to her!!!