Kodoku

by William Emery

The wind blows forever Across an ocean that never ends In 1962 a young adventurer, Kenichi Horie, left the shores of his native Japan in a small sailboat he called the Mermaid. Three months later he reached San Francisco, becoming the first person to sail across the Pacific Ocean alone. Author William Emery and artist Hanae Rivera recreate this legendary tale of a courageous boy who dared to follow his dreams.

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2012

Reviews

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kenichi Horie was the first to sail across the Pacific alone. He left Japan in 1962 in a small sailboat called the Mermaid. After three months of sailing through typhoons, whale pods and shark feeding frenzies, he reached San Francisco. A simple story that is beautifully illustrated. My only complaint is that there is no supplemental information to fill out the biography. Nor is there any index or listing at the back to give more leads.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story if a boy who is the first to sail solo across the Pacific, from Japan to San Francisco. Illustrations are beautiful but seem unfinished, unrefined.