It’s Monday, What Are You Reading? is hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date, and adapted by Kellee at Unleashing Readers and Jen at Teach Mentor Texts with a children’s/YA focus. This weekly roundup is a great way to discover new blogs and bloggers, share recommended (or not so recommended….) titles, and add to your ever-growing to-read list.
Title: Boats for Papa
Author/Illustrator: Jessixa Bagley
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Publication Date: 2015
Genre/Format: Fiction/Picture Book
My Two Cents: I’m not crying…*sniff*…I’ve just got something in my eye…*sniff*….OK, I’ll admit it, this deeply moving picture book left me a bit misty-eyed with its gentle, light-handed approach to longing, grief, and loss. Little Buckley longs for his Papa, sending boats out to sea in the hopes that one of them will reach his father, wherever he’s gone. I don’t want to ruin the book’s ending, as that might take away from some of the story’s joy, but suffice it to say that Buckley and his Mama each discover how much the other loves them, which is depicted in a quiet, understated way. It is never explicitly stated what has happened to Papa, or where he’s gone. Perhaps Papa has died, perhaps he has left the family, or perhaps he’s gone far away to sea and might never return. This open-ended storyline allows all sorts of different children to see themselves in Buckley, and to be comforted by his experiences. There are a number of different ways to lose or be separated from a loved one, whether temporarily or permanently.
Boats for Papa doesn’t set out to provide easy answers to life’s big questions, or offer ready solutions for life’s major challenges. Sometimes just knowing that there are others out there who share your longing or sadness can be enough to provide some comfort in tough times.
Now tell me, what have you been reading this week?
I am having serious reader’s block. Currently I am reading…nothing. Sigh.
I go through those slumps too – that’s one of the reasons I love picture books so much. Just a few minutes of reading and I still have something to share!
Mine seem to be around the same time of year. I was reading some old journal entries and it’s so funny! I’ll have to reread some of my favorite picture books and polish off some graphic novels. Have a great week!
Wow. That one sounds interesting. Isn’t it awesome that picture books can do so much?
Absolutely! Definitely one of the reasons I love picture books so much – great authors can do so much with so little.
Hmm… this sounds very touching. Thanks for sharing it! My reading slowed a bit last week… can’t decide what to read next. Hopefully this week inspiration will hit!
I’m such a sap, so picture books like this leave me standing in the children’s section sniffling
I agree, Jane. It is a beautiful book. I love this that you wrote: “Sometimes just knowing that there are others out there who share your longing or sadness can be enough to provide some comfort in tough times.”
It’s sometimes nice to just have books like this available in a library so that kids can explore them on their own, if they’re not ready or don’t feel comfortable talking to someone about a problem or a challenge. So much comfort can be found in the pages of a book.
Boats for Papa is awesome, even though it’s heart wrenching to read. Before I Leave is a new one by Jessixa Bagley, and it’s lovely, too. It’s great that there are such nice books to help children explore difficult, emotional topics. Hope you have a great week!
I’m definitely looking forward to Before I Leave, too. I think Bagley’s got a very gentle touch that works well with tough subjects. Thanks for stopping by!
I have not used this book with kids yet. I can only imagine the conversations that happen. Like Jana said, Bagley’s new one is so well done, too!
Yes, she’s such a talent, isn’t she?
I LOVE this book. Can’t wait to read her next one
I was actually thinking about this book when I read your beautiful post on sad books. “Sad” books, like the emotions they represent, can take on all sorts of different forms, can’t they?
Boats for Papa sounds like a beautiful book. I think I need to head to the library to find some picture books!
Yes, you do! The variety and quality available right now is just astounding. It’s a wonderful time to work with children and children’s literature!
This sounds sad and beautiful. Thank goodness writers are creating books like this for kids (and for us, too!)
I know, isn’t it wonderful? We live in a great time for children’s books.
I am not a “cute animal book” kind of reader so I was reluctant to start this one. I’m so glad that I gave it a chance though. It’s beautiful and is one that can lead to lots of reflection.
Me too, to be honest. I thought it might be too sugary or syrupy, and I was quite impressed by its quiet beauty/
Looks adorable even though it also seems sad….love the cover.
I hope you have had a good reading week.
I just finished THE SECRETS OF FLIGHT by Maggie Leffler. Loved it.
Elizabeth
Silver’s Reviews
My It’s Monday, What Are You Reading
A gentle sadness, but also comforting – a beautiful balance.
I don’t read a lot of picture books but might have to check this one out. It sounds awesome.
It’s definitely a rare treasure.
That sounds like a really special picture book.
It absolutely is.