Let your imagination set sail in The Magic Boat by Kit Pearson and Katherine Farris, illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard.

A story with an inter generational element, the authors tell the tale of Ellie who is very shy.  When at the beach with Nonna, Ellie is invited onto a magic boat with Piper, another vacationer. The magic boat takes Ellie and Piper on the most incredible adventures out at sea and in the sky.  Unfortunately, Piper has to go home leaving Ellie alone again. The magic boat helps Ellie find her courage to ask another boy from the beach, Sasha to join her.

The power of the imagination is astonishing.  How important it is to remember to give our children the time and the space for imagination?!  Without it the world can be so dull and so lonely. An old rickety boat can become a balloon or a submarine.  So much life is waiting to be discovered in our imagination and so many friendships are forged during play.

Gabrielle Grimard’s work is so beautiful and perfect for this little story.  Her art has so much life and movement in it. You are automatically whisked away to the beach with Ellie, Nonna and all the other vacationers.  You can feel the sun’s warmth in her illustrations and the thrill of the adventure.