Old Wood Boat

Nikki McClure’s picture book ‘Old Wood Boat’ tells a familiar saga of rejuvenation in a striking way. . . . A labeled cross-section of the boat in the middle of the book and a glossary of terms at the end (‘How to Talk Like a Sailor’) add a nice nonfiction touch to this memorable venture.”
—The Wall Street Journal

‘Old Wood Boat’ is that magical combination of a captivating story and stunning illustration that makes it a book you’ll be happy to read to a young listener over and over again . . . . Some books are so delightful that you find a reader for them. ‘Old Wood Boat’ is one that will have you looking for a young sailor to give it to, and they’ll thank you for it 20 years from now.
—Sailing Magazine

Sure to be a welcome addition to any nautical family reading nook. . . . Using the colors of sand and sea as a palette, the hardcover book from Candlewick Press is perfect for sharing the magic of boating life with kids 4 to 8 and sure to become a cherished heirloom for generations.
—Northwest Yachting

The prose in this children’s book is imbued with passion and reverence for old boats restored and the memories inherent in them. . . . we all know a picture is worth a thousand words and this has never been more clearly illustrated than in ‘Old Wood Boat’.
—Pacific Yachting

Striking. . . McClure uses the language of the sea lyrically (“Old Wood Boat gains speed with the ebb/ and rides the swells with ease”), evoking an unforgettable sense of freedom yielded by wind, salt air, and spray.

—Publishers Weekly

Beautiful prose (“scraps from the past hidden in vines”) capture the heart of the story. The stunning paper-cut illustrations stand out with their striking images and intricate details. McClure has written a gorgeous homage of sailing and the sea. . . . Repeat readings will be demanded; children will want to take a closer look at the pictures.
—School Library Journal

This evocative picture book conveys the sights and sounds of sailing through descriptive text and detailed cut-paper illustrations. . . . . The movement of the water, wind, and sails is captured in the flowing illustrations. Changing perspectives give the story visual drama.
—Booklist