Little Boat

One brave little boat is on a journey to discover the seven seas. Setting off into the big, wide world, Little Boat runs into treacherous waters, turbulent tides, and seafaring friends. After all his nautical adventures, our hero finds out that he’s no longer such a little boat.

Publishers Weekly

With good friends and a sense of adventure, even the littlest boat can brave the big, scary unknown-that's the takeaway from this motivational book. Docherty seems more interested in delivering a self-esteem message ("the sea is always changing and full of dangers, but I sail on...") than in engaging readers. Although Little Boat has very expressive eyes and his wheelhouse has a jaunty tilt, Docherty's compositions, which emphasize the boat's tinyness, prevent readers from making a deeper connection to the hero. His portrayal of the sea, however, makes it a character in its own right, and almost Melvillian-a dynamic force that is by turns violent (striations of red ink add a sinister edge), mythic (its peaks resemble an aquatic mountain range) and exuberant (bubbles surrounding the boat and his friends during a plunge into the deep are appropriately effervescent). The inspirational text and a strong, recurring circular design element give the book a grown-up quality-indeed, it may find its niche as a graduation gift. Also out simultaneously from Docherty: To the Beach. Ages 3-6. (May)

Thomas Docherty has written and/or illustrated several children's books throughout the world. He has always loved drawing, especially while on his travels, which have taken him to Africa, Asia, and South America. He now lives in the west of England.