The Magic Boat

K-Gr 3–It is amazing what an old boat and a little bit of imagination can accomplish when friendship is involved. Ellie and her grandmother go to the beach together every morning in the summer. Though she loves this time to build sandcastles and collect seashells, Ellie’s shy demeanor keeps her from playing with the other kids at the beach. One day, she notices an older girl watching her from her perch on an old tree trunk; after a moment, Piper invites Ellie to her magic boat and the girls experience adventures on the sea, in the sky, and even beneath the ocean’s surface. When Piper has to go back to the city, Ellie loses her inspiration to pretend. That is, until a new friend appears at the beach, who is exactly the kind of person Ellie needs. The vibrant illustrations bring the feel and look of the seashore to life for readers, accompanied by elegant and descriptive text. Readers of all ages will fondly remember days of pretend play, and will undoubtedly proceed to find their own magic boats after the story ends. Celebrating the rich world that can be found within a shy child’s mind, this book is especially suited to those who may not easily approach others in friendship. This is a beautiful accompaniment to a real-life seaside visit.