jemcam's review against another edition
5.0
What a gentle, subtle book about living with loss. I teared up a bit.
cacia's review against another edition
4.0
This is one of those sweet, perfect picture books that hits you right in the feels. The watercolor illustrations are beautiful, and I love the nuance they carry even as they achieve simplicity. The story is told without pretension (which is a feat, since books like these can so easily veer into the mawkish), and the straightforward language reads easily, naturally. Just enough is said, and just enough is left unsaid, and if you know the ending that is coming, your heart will squeeze all the way through.
shanny1366's review against another edition
4.0
This is a very sweet book about a family missing their papa, and how they cope with that. It did frustrate me that readers never find out where Papa is. Is he missing at sea? Did he drown? Is he just gone on a very long sea voyage? All we know is that he has been gone for well over a year, and the little boy sends boats out to him on the water. The illustrations are wonderful, and the story is touching, despite the ambiguity.
lakesidegirl's review against another edition
5.0
No, YOU read this book while working the public desk at the library on a quiet Friday morning and had to stifle your tears. Boats for Papa is beautifully illustrated, full of melancholy, and packs a big punch for an Easy Picture book. It's not a Storytime read-aloud, but it would be excellent for any family with small children facing the loss of someone. Let's face it, it would be a good read for anyone who is grieving, regardless of age.
I ordered in this book because it's on lots of lists for maybe winning a Caldecott next week (January 11 2016). It's a definite contender.
I ordered in this book because it's on lots of lists for maybe winning a Caldecott next week (January 11 2016). It's a definite contender.
bluenicorn's review against another edition
5.0
THIS BOOK WRECKED ME! Maybe I'm just emotional, but I thought this was such a sweet book.
readingthroughtheages's review against another edition
4.0
What a beautiful book that shows the love of a parent for a child.
As I read this book, I wonder what the story behind the story is, I wonder what experiences the author had that prompted her to write it.
My heart went out to little Buckley and his kind-hearted mama.
As I read this book, I wonder what the story behind the story is, I wonder what experiences the author had that prompted her to write it.
My heart went out to little Buckley and his kind-hearted mama.
heisereads's review against another edition
4.0
This story is touching, and would lead to kids needing to infer what is really going on beneath the stated story. Deals with moving on after a loss. The kind of story that makes you say "aww" at the end.