Lightship
Floca, Brian.
Lightship - New York Simon and Schuster 2007 - 44p.
Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)
Floca creates both suspense and poetry in this tribute to the anchored lightships that once warned ships away from hazards on the North American coast. Beginning with, “Here is a ship that holds her place,” he introduces viewers to a crew of nine, plus a cat, then shows that crew performing routine tasks both topside and down below as they wait, but for what? When the weather worsens, that question is answered; on come the bright lamp and the deafening foghorn: “Then other ships sail safely,/because the lightship marks the way/through fog and night,/past rocks and shoals,/past reefs and wrecks,/past danger.” Using the Ambrose, a New York museum ship, as his model, the author presents an array of cutaways, views from above, glimpses of the engine room, john and kitchen, as well as showing the steadfast vessel floating on glassy seas and tossed by waves. Together, the pictures and the brief, measured text lend these utilitarian, no-longer-active vessels a heroic aspect that will resonate with all young fans of ships and the sea.
978-1-416-92436-4
Children's stories
English Literature
Fiction
Picture Book
Stories
A Robert F. Sibert Honor Book
Winner of the 2007 Cybil Award for Best Nonfiction Picture Book
An American Library Association Notable Children’s Book
823 / FLO
Lightship - New York Simon and Schuster 2007 - 44p.
Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)
Floca creates both suspense and poetry in this tribute to the anchored lightships that once warned ships away from hazards on the North American coast. Beginning with, “Here is a ship that holds her place,” he introduces viewers to a crew of nine, plus a cat, then shows that crew performing routine tasks both topside and down below as they wait, but for what? When the weather worsens, that question is answered; on come the bright lamp and the deafening foghorn: “Then other ships sail safely,/because the lightship marks the way/through fog and night,/past rocks and shoals,/past reefs and wrecks,/past danger.” Using the Ambrose, a New York museum ship, as his model, the author presents an array of cutaways, views from above, glimpses of the engine room, john and kitchen, as well as showing the steadfast vessel floating on glassy seas and tossed by waves. Together, the pictures and the brief, measured text lend these utilitarian, no-longer-active vessels a heroic aspect that will resonate with all young fans of ships and the sea.
978-1-416-92436-4
Children's stories
English Literature
Fiction
Picture Book
Stories
A Robert F. Sibert Honor Book
Winner of the 2007 Cybil Award for Best Nonfiction Picture Book
An American Library Association Notable Children’s Book
823 / FLO
