The Ship in the Window

by Travis Jonker, Matthew Cordell (Illustrator)

Overview

Caldecott Medalist Matthew Cordell and librarian Travis Jonker have crafted a timeless tale of a little mouse and a big adventure.

Mabel the mouse wants nothing more than to be a fearless sea captain traveling the world in search of adventure. Every night she watches a man carefully construct a model ship, as his son watches by her side. Mabel and the boy know the model ship is anything but a toy, but they both long to see if it can really float. So Mabel hatches a plan to make her seafaring dreams come true.

Illustrated by Caldecott Medalist Matthew Cordell and children's librarian and reviewer Travis Jonker, The Ship in the Window celebrates the rewards of following your dreams and never losing the spirit of adventure.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780593350591
Publisher:	Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication date:	08/20/2024
Sold by:	Penguin Group
Format:	eBook
Pages:	40
Age Range:	3 - 7 Years

About the Author

Travis Jonker is the author of The Very Last Castle and Blue Floats Away. When he is not writing picture books, he works as an elementary school librarian and a children's book reviewer at the blog 100 Scope Notes. He lives in Michigan.

You can visit him at TravisJonkerBooks.com.

Matthew Cordell is the author and illustrator of many celebrated picture books for children, including Wish, Explorers, and Wolf in the Snow, which was awarded the Caldecott Medal. He lives outside of Chicago with his wife, author Julie Halpern, and their two children. 

You can visit him at MatthewCordell.com or follow him on Instagram @Cordell_Matthew.

Editorial Reviews

05/20/2024

In this work that follows a small ship and the beings who orbit it, Jonker (Just One Flake) introduces a man and a boy, both portrayed with light brown skin, who live in a lakefront cabin. A mouse named Mabel lives there, too. The man’s eyes are hidden by the lenses of his glasses, suggesting emotional distance, and he has for several months been working on an intricate model ship, “carefully perfecting every last detail. He wouldn’t even let the boy help.” The handsome vessel is just the right size for a mouse to sail, and Mabel is transfixed, longing to “be the brave captain.” The boy has a similar fantasy, but it’s Mabel who makes the first move one stormy night. Caldecott Medalist Cordell draws the gripping scenes that follow in sun-bleached blues and dense, delicate hatching that recalls old engravings. Mabel’s efforts bring triumph, a setback, and warm resolution as her exploits draw the three protagonists together. It’s gratifying to look on as the audacity of the story’s smallest, most vulnerable character breaks through the defenses of an intimidating adult. Ages 3–7. Author’s agent: Stephen Barbara, InkWell Management. Illustrator’s agent: Rosemary Stimola, Stimola Literary. (Aug.)

Publishers Weekly

"Arrr, 'tis a seaworthy tale, so set your compass toward fulfilling your dreams, and she'll not steer you wrong." —Kirkus Reviews

"Caldecott Medalist Cordell draws the gripping scenes that follow in sun-bleached blues and dense, delicate hatching that recalls old engravings." —Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher