The Old Boat

Norton Young Readers  ·  March 2, 2021

The creators of The Old Truck set sail with an old boat and an evocative, intricately crafted exploration of home and family.

Off a small island, a boy and his grandmother set sail in their beloved fishing boat. They ride the waves, dreaming, catching fish, and seeing the wonders of the ocean. But soon the boy is sailing the boat himself, venturing further from shore as the waters grow dirty and polluted. When a storm washes him ashore and wrecks the old boat, he sees home in a new light. He decides to turn the tides of his fortune, cleaning the island's waters and creating a new life with a family to call his own.

With an eye-catching design and masterfully detailed illustrations, The Old Boat is an exquisite story about caring for the places we call home.

The Original Art 2021 The Original Art 2021 — Society of Illustrators
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"A quiet, thought-provoking story of environmental change and the power humans have to slow it." Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"This sensitive message about growth and connection is perfectly pitched to resonate with readers young, old, and journeying between." Booklist
"A call to action toward stewardship of the natural world on shore and off." School Library Journal