Common Sense Media Review
By Jan Carr
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Tender, moving story about boy and mom dealing with loss.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 3+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In BOATS FOR PAPA, Buckley, a little beaver, misses his dad, so he collects driftwood to make boats and sets them in the water with notes attached. He assumes that if they don't wash back, Papa's received them, but the reader sees Mama finding the boats and wrapping them up. When Buckley discovers the boats in Mama's desk, he writes a new note of love to her.
Is It Any Good?
In this tender, understated tale about loss, Bagley never spells out what happened to Papa, but the quiet sadness felt by both Buckley and Mama suggests he's died. Buckley and Mama have a loving life together by the sea, and Buckley busies himself collecting driftwood, which he carves into elaborate boats with notes to Papa. Mama's sad, too, stepping outside to gaze at the night sea, but she creates a loving home for Buckley. Healing comes from their connection and from creation; Buckley throws himself into planning and crafting intricate driftwood boats and looks happiest when working.
The quiet accumulation of detail makes this a powerful, moving tale: The family pictures on the wall include ones with Papa, and the endpaper shows Buckley adding a boat to the display of all he's made, a time line of his grief. Young readers may be confused about exactly what happened to Papa, but they'll apply the story to their own tender situations.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about loss. Are there people or pets that you miss? How long did it take you to feel better?
Do you think it's possible to have a connection with people who are gone? Do you ever want to make things for or write to people you miss?
What do you think about Buckley's driftwood boats? What do you like to make?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Jessixa Bagley
- Genre : Picture Book
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Roaring Brook Press
- Publication date : June 30, 2015
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 3 - 7
- Number of pages : 40
- Available on : Nook, Hardback, Kindle
- Last updated : July 13, 2017
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