STORY BOAT written by Kyo Maclear and illustrated by Rashin Kheiriyeh is an inspiring picture book about migration as seen through the imaginations of the children who are on the move with their families. The children are able to make the trip over difficult terrain in the rain and snow and through swells of water by employing their wonderful ability to transform objects.
Young readers will identify with the process of transforming one item into another as it is a magical moment in most creative play. In this book children transform a teacup into a flying home, a blanket into a sail, a lamp into a lighthouse and a flower into a ladder in an effort to lighten the weight of their hard journey. The adults, however, must deal with the realities of being on the move with all that they own on their backs during very uncertain times.
The artist’s selection of a combination of blue, black and orange colors keeps every detail of the illustrations engaging including adults walking, setting up camp and cooking food and children keeping warm, telling stories and transforming objects. The here that they are all looking for is the place where they can stop, cook and eat and sleep.
The most powerful “here” in this story is at the journey’s end where they can say, “Here we are.” The illustration is heartwarming as the migrants make it to a friendly shore where the townspeople help them from their boat and welcome them to Here. It is a beautiful visual moment.
STORY BOAT written by Kyo Maclear and illustrated by Rashin Kheiriyeh will be enjoyed by young children 3-7 years of age (Tundra Books/Penguin Random House of Canada, 2020).
Activity Questions for STORY BOAT
The children in this picture book turn a blanket into a sail and a flower into a ladder. Transformations are fun. Try changing a small blanket into a cape. Turn a long scarf into a wiggling snake. Make a frying pan into a hand mirror. Take a long comb and turn it into a harmonica. Try making a ruler into a baton. How would you turn two small drinking glasses into a pair of binoculars?
Play a game of I Spy. Look at the final double-page illustration showing the migrants being welcomed by people on a friendly shore. Find the following details: a black umbrella, a white lighthouse, a dog with black spots, a black cat, an orange, black and blue blanket, a man with a white beard, a sleeping baby, black and white striped trousers, an orange and white inner tube, and a white staircase.
For older readers: Why do you think this book is titled STORY BOAT? Take another look at the final illustration. What does the star formation mean? If you could give this story another title what would it be and why?
