Sail

by Dorien Brouwers

Overview

This dazzlingly illustrated debut about sailing through the journey of life is perfect for graduation or uplifting reading year-round. 
 

Out at sea anything can happen: whether trials or triumphs, there are infinite possibilities to explore once we leave the shore. And what lies under the water's surface, in the darkest depths, can often lead to the most beautiful discoveries.
  With gentle wisdom and dynamic art that will sweep you away, remarkable debut talent Dorien Brouwers beckons us to climb aboard and discover the courage, grit, and resilience that resides within us all. Ideal for all ages and filled with universal themes, the story also features a set of questions at the end that will invite parent-child conversations and encourage readers to explore their own life journeys.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780316495486
Publisher:	Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication date:	03/09/2021
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	10.10(w) x 10.20(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Dorien Brouwers grew up in the Netherlands and currently lives in Suffolk, England. She trained as a graphic designer and worked for clients such as the Prado Museum in Madrid, Spain; the Tate Modern in London, England; and Pearson Education. Eventually she began writing and illustrating books for her son, drawing predominantly with watercolor, pen, and ink, and developing a distinctive style rich in texture and detail. She invites you to visit her website at dorienillustrator.com.

Editorial Reviews

04/19/2021

Weathered and sun-bleached hues of blue, gray, and green set the stage for extended metaphor of sailing a ship through “life’s adventurous tale.” A young white child sailor leaves shore in search of adventure and newness, charting a course as the text reads, “Follow your heart. Use the wind’s force.” When rough seas rock the boat, the book offers new guidance: “And if you ever do fall in,/ it’s time to try your best to swim.” As the child dips a head below the water, a shimmering rainbow world of wondrous creatures awaits. The supportive voice and message about learning seems at odds with the book’s portrayal of mortal peril, but readers can almost feel the ocean spray as they turn pages depicting the wild open sea. Ages 4–8. (Mar.)

Publishers Weekly

Winner of the World Illustration Award 2022

"Picture book fans will be dazzled by the watercolor and monoprint illustrations with their swirling brushstrokes in teal and aqua and their abundance of ocean-dwelling critters."—School Library Connection

"Using a rhyming text, this bolstering picture book presents life's journey as setting sail on the unknown ocean and exploring and facing the challenges therein."—Kirkus Reviews

"...[T]his motivational book replete with positive messages would be at home on the shelf with Sometimes You Fly by Katherine Applegate."—School Library Journal

"...readers can almost feel the ocean spray as they turn pages depicting the wild open sea."—Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher

04/01/2021

PreS-Gr 1—In this sailing-as-metaphor-for-life story in verse, a child picks a sailboat out of many other watercrafts in the harbor to "step on board and leave the shore. Prepare yourself to discover more. Raise the anchor and set the course. Follow your heart. Use the wind's force." An inspirational message accompanies each part of the adventure, whether it's battling wild gales while maneuvering in the ocean, diving deep underwater to discover the wonders there, or returning to the boat to sail into calm waters. Double-page spreads use watercolors to portray sweeping ocean vistas in predominantly light teal and gray colors, with occasional pops of color in the underwater scenes. Adeptly conveyed is the majesty of the tumultuous waves, teeming marine life, and moonlit stillness. The last page features a list of "Some Things To Think About" meant as thought-provoking, but potentially better for adults to sound out with the picture book audience. VERDICT More suitable as a graduation gift than a story for young readers, this motivational book replete with positive messages would be at home on the shelf with Sometimes You Fly by Katherine Applegate.—Yelena Voysey, formerly at Pickering Educational Lib., Boston Univ.

School Library Journal

2020-12-25
Sailing the ocean as a metaphor.

Using a rhyming text, this bolstering picture book presents life’s journey as setting sail on the unknown ocean and exploring and facing the challenges therein. There’s very little originality in the text: “Seek and you will find”; “Powerful wisdom is found in the deep”; etc. Despite—or perhaps because of—this, it all rings true. And as a book to encourage young readers to face life’s challenges and have the courage to explore, it presents its case well and does deliver unmitigated encouragement. But just as the narrative lacks originality, the illustrations have their own limiting factor, and that is their visual sameness. All are full-bleed, double-page spreads with the exception of the final page, and the palette is predominantly blues and weak browns—cool colors that visually keep readers at a distance. The diluted red color of the shorts of the protagonist (portrayed with light skin and brown hair and eyes) isn’t enough to liven up the overall coolness. A welcome exception is the two-spread sequence illustrating the treasures of the deep: Strong reds and oranges provide lively contrast to the dark background, and their warm colors are effective in bringing readers in visually. The last page, headed “Some Things To Think About,” feels like an afterthought, with a list of bromidic questions, such as, “What are you grateful for?” (This book was reviewed digitally with 10-by-20-inch double-page spreads viewed at actual size.)

Encouragement abounds; originality doesn’t. (Picture book. 3-6)

Kirkus Reviews