Speed Bonnie Boat: A Tale from Scottish History Inspired by the Skye Boat Song

by Alfredo Belli (Illustrator)

Overview

"Speed, bonnie boat, like a bird on the wing,
'Onward!' the sailors cry;
Carry the lad who's born to be king
Over the sea to Skye."

Sung throughout the world, the Skye Boat Song evocatively brings alive the story of Bonnie Prince Charlie's famous journey from the Outer Hebrides to Skye, off Scotland's west coast, after his defeat at the Battle of Culloden.

This stunning picture book, inspired by the lyrics of the traditional Scottish folksong, illustrates the true story of one of Scotland's most famous heroes and introduces children to this dramatic period of Scottish history.

The beautiful landscapes and seascapes of Scotland's west coast are captured by Alfredo Belli's stunning illustrations.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781782503675
Publisher:	Floris Books
Publication date:	07/15/2017
Series:	Traditional Scottish Tales
Pages:	24
Product dimensions:	11.70(w) x 9.20(h) x (d)
Age Range:	5 - 8 Years

About the Author

Alfredo Belli lives and works in Rome. He illustrates children's books and school textbooks on behalf of different publishers, spanning age ranges from preschool through teen. He also contributes to various advertising agencies, graphic and web design studios as an illustrator and visualizer. An all-round artist, he uses a wide-range of styles and techniques, utilizing pencils, inks, watercolours, acrylic paints, oil pastels, digital and mixed media...not necessarily all together.

Editorial Reviews

'A rendition more poignant than patriotic with, at least in the rhymed portions, the cadence of a lullaby.'
– Kirkus Reviews

'A simply stunning picture book... unreservedly recommended for family, elementary school and community library picture book collections for young readers.'
– Midwest Book Review

'Faithfully and skillfully illustrated.'
– Youth Services Book Review

'Alfredo Belli [...] has captured the dangers of the sea-journey to Skye and the loyaty, comfort and hope that were given to the young prince by the spirited Flora.'
– School Library Association

'The verses are brought to life by Alfredo Belli's atmospheric illustrations, with simple historical explanations about Bonnie Prince Charlie and Flora MacDonald's voyage from Benbecula to Skye, adding a welcome dimension.'
– West Coast Review

'This picture book is seeped in drama too. The illustrations show the power of the waves and storms, giving the whole journey the drama that it needs. It also includes a little Scottish history. This really is a lovely book but BookBairn is probably a little young to fully appreciate it so we'd recommend holding off until your bairn is school-age.'
– BookBairn, blook blogger

'The images are sweeping and yet personal, and the loyalty of the prince's followers is evident in their actions and demeanor. '
– Goodreads reviewer

From the Publisher

2017-03-29
An illustrated version of the ever popular Scottish "Skye Boat Song," with added lyrics and historical background.Written in the 19th century (and set to a folk melody), the verses commemorate the flight of Bonnie Prince Charlie, then in his mid-20s, from the 1746 battle of Culloden. They begin after a prose introduction that sets the scene and follows the fugitive until—disguised (according to legend) as resourceful cottager Flora MacDonald's maidservant—he escapes in a boat to the Isle of Skye. Along with a closing note, the anonymous modern co-author also adds a near ambush by British troops to the storyline in the lyrics and tones down the martial closing lines to a milder "Rightfully king! True hearts will stay / Faithful for evermore!" There is no visible blood or explicit violence in Belli's depictions of the battle and its aftermath, but in the clean-lined watercolor scenes he fashions evocatively rough seas and stormy skies until landfall brings a final calm. The British soldiers' red coats and the bright tartans in which the handsome, downcast prince and other male Scots in the all-white cast are outfitted shine against the muted backgrounds. A rendition more poignant than patriotic with, at least in the rhymed portions, the cadence of a lullaby. (map) (Picture book. 6-8)

Kirkus Reviews