Boat Works by Tom Slaughter

Boat Works by Tom Slaughter
Buy Boat Works by Tom Slaughter at Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com
Category: For Sharing
Reviewer: Sue Magee
Summary: A board book which fold out into six posters. Some of the words are American rather than English, but it's a fun book.
Buy? Maybe	Borrow? Yes
Pages: 20	Date: June 2012
Publisher: Blue Apple Books
External links: Author's website
ISBN: 978-1609052157
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Imagine seeing just a little bit of a boat. It's not enough for you to decide whether it's big or small, or what it does, but on the opposite page there's another clue. I have two oars - and there they are for all to see. But look more closely. You can fold that second page out for yet another clue: I have a rope which ties me to the dock and there's the rope, strong and hairy, with a complex knot. Now you can fold out the second clue to reveal that his is a rowboat, by the name of Nelly, tied up at the dock. Neat, eh?

Neater still is the fact that this is a poster book, with six posters of different boats, ships and a harbour. The posters are remarkably sturdy for something which is folded into a book and they'll stand quite a bit of handling. This isn't going to be one of those books which Mummy keeps on her shelf and only brings out under supervision. Learning to fold the posters back will be a useful skill to acquire! It requires that the pages be folded in order, rather than with any great dexterity.

The colours are bright and give a strong sense of the sea. The pictures are simple, but clear and it's a fun book. I've one minor reservation and that's that the book seems to be aimed at American children with its use of 'rowboat' rather than the more English 'rowing boat' and 'life preserver' rather than 'life belt'. There is the occasional American spelling ('harbor') but as this is a book aimed at the three to five age group I'm not unduly worried about that.

I've given four stars but you could add another half star if you're on the other side of the pond. It's fun to look at and it's gently educational. I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to the Bookbag.

For more of boats for this age group we can recommend Zoom and Fly, Mr Croc by Jo Lodge and Are We Nearly There Yet? by Katherine Lodge. For a delightful tale of a bear who outgrows his beloved boat, have a look at Little Bear's Little Boat by Eve Bunting.

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You can read more book reviews or buy Boat Works by Tom Slaughter at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
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