Everything Goes: By Sea

Henry and his parents (Everything Goes: On Land; Everything Goes: In the Air) ride a car ferry to their island destination; along the way, they talk about the variety of boats they see. The pleasingly busy cartoon illustrations are packed with details and visual jokes. A two-page gatefold spread treats readers to a spectacular view from the ferry's top deck.

Henry and his parents, the intrepid travelers from Everything Goes: On Land (rev. 11/11) and Everything Goes: In the Air (rev. 11/12), take to the water in this latest installment in Biggs's transportation-themed series. The three ride a car ferry to their island destination; along the way, they talk about the variety of boats they see in the harbor and on the open water. After a brief (and helpful) explanation of how buoyancy works, their speech-balloon conversation touches on different types of watercraft--container ships, submarines, aircraft carriers, human-powered boats, houseboats--and the jobs those vessels do. As in the previous volumes, some accessible history and a little science/engineering are part of the discussion. The pleasingly busy cartoon illustrations are packed with details and visual jokes, including some comedic bits from the earlier books, which should delight the series' frequent visitors. A two-page gatefold spread treats readers to a spectacular view from the ferry's top deck and features a comically impractical number of boats, ships, and creatures bobbing merrily along. Biggs navigates this nautical lesson with a steady hand. kitty flynn