And Then Came Hope

by Stephen Savage

Overview

When the boats in the harbor are feeling unwell, all they need is Hope to get back in ship shape.

From Geisel Honor Book author and artist Stephen Savage comes a new vehicle book for the very young, sure to provide comfort and reassurance, based on the true story of the S.S. Hope hospital ship!

The boats around the harbor haven't been feeling too well lately. First, Barge got bonked. Then Submarine started shivering. Ferry came down with a fever, little Dory's nose wouldn't stop running, and even mighty Aircraft Carrier had developed a terrible cough! They sent out an S.O.S. for help, and then a ship called Hope came to the rescue.

With her team of tugboats at her side, Hope set about tending to the out of sorts boats. With her help, Barge gets a bandage, Submarine is soothed with a blanket, Aircraft Carrier is cured, and little Dory's nose dries up. The boats are feeling fit again, but they know whenever they are feeling sick, Hope will always be there to take care of them.

The brightly-illustrated, kid-friendly picture book includes an essay about the real S.S. Hope and its service in humanitarian aid projects. Perfect for boat lovers of all ages!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780823449705
Publisher:	Candlewick Press
Publication date:	09/07/2021
Pages:	34
Product dimensions:	6.04(w) x 6.05(h) x 0.63(d)
Age Range:	3 Months to 3 Years

About the Author

Stephen is a New York Times bestselling children’s book illustrator and author whose accolades include a New York Times Best Illustrated Book (Polar Bear Night), a Geisel Honor (Supertruck), and a Sendak Fellowship. He also wrote and illustrated Babysitter from Another Planet for Holiday House. In addition to books, he illustrates for the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Time, Newsweek, and Entertainment Weekly. He’s taught illustration at the School of Visual Arts since 2001 and lives in Park Slope, Brooklyn with his wife, daughter and two dogs.

Editorial Reviews

"A wonderfully sweet story about kindness and how we can always help one another."—Chelsea Clinton, author of She Persisted

★  "Little readers will be carried along by the bouncy rhythm, the expressive faces of the ships and boats, and the ingenious ways Hope finds to help others in need. Delightful and inspiring."—Booklist, Starred Review

"this story’s power is in the reassurance that a source of comfort and caring is never far away."—Publishers Weekly
 
"Inspired by the true story of the first peacetime hospital ship, which included an operating room, an X-ray room, a pharmacy, a library, and dozens of doctors and nurses, Savage creates a perfect vehicle book for toddlers. . . . Children will delight in pointing at the characters and participating in the simple plot."—School Library Journal

"Children fearing hospital visits, doctors, or nurses may find comfort in the book’s measured tone. This is reflected not merely in the spare text with its gentle wordplay, but also in the simplicity and style of the digital art." —Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

2021-03-17
A humanitarian hospital ship figures in a tale of ailing boats and gentle aid.

When the ships are sick, nobody’s happy. Not Barge, who “got bonked,” or Submarine, who has the shakes. Neither are feverish Ferry, coughing Aircraft Carrier, and sniffly, drippy Dory. Who takes care of these ill boats? Why, hospital ship Hope, of course! In a jiffy she treats, comforts, and cares for anyone under the weather. By the time everyone is “shipshape” again, they can rest assured that in the event of another emergency, they’ll always be able to rely on Hope. Backmatter includes a note on the real SS Hope, America’s first peacetime hospital ship, which spent 14 years traveling the world bringing care and training to other countries. Children fearing hospital visits, doctors, or nurses may find comfort in the book’s measured tone. This is reflected not merely in the spare text with its gentle wordplay, but also in the simplicity and style of the digital art. Shapes are cleanly delineated, colors and planes flat. The composition in which Barge suffers her injury is so stylized as to resemble an exercise in the play between positive and negative space. Both text and visuals are so restrained that while the ship-obsessed will love it, it is unlikely that the book will stand up to much rereading among other audiences.

A very real ship inspires a very slight story, coasting on some serious sweetness. (Picture book. 3-6)

Kirkus Reviews