What a Ship Sees

This charming concertina book follows the journey of a little ship on a voyage across the sea. Folding out to nearly 8 feet, children can look at all the different things the ship sees on its way, as it chugs past fishing vessels, a tanker and a humongous cruise ship, alongside leaping dolphins and shoals of flying fish, through the high, choppy waves of a lightning storm, and finally reaching its own little harbour. Playful text guides the journey, providing fun shared experience and conversation starter for parents and young children. The reverse side of the concertina features spot illustrations picked out from the main scene, with a more expansive information about each element, from ships to ocean life. The animals smile, the two sailors cuddle in a peaceful moment, and, except in the storm scene, the waters in Mineker’s simple, stylized illustrations are glassy smooth, so there’s an overall sense of sunny serenity to the entire outing. The format lends itself equally well to sharing on laps or laying it out on the floor. An idyllic miniodyssey for young tars and travelers alike.–Kirkus Reviews