Ready, Set, Sail!

by Meg Fleming, Luke Flowers (Illustrations)

Join these sailors as they explore the sea during a fun day of sailing in this follow-up to Ready, Set, Build!

Shout your orders loud and fast.

"Hoist the mainsail up the mast!"

Grab your life vest, hold on to your compass, and get ready for a day full of sailing fun with a playful tiger and turtle! Follow these salty sailors as they raise their anchor, cast off, and explore the sea in their little sloop. And after a long day of sailing, they gather and tell tales of all the things they've seen!

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Transport, Storytime, Childrens, Fiction, Humor

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2018

About the author

Meg Fleming is an award-winning children’s book author, a fan of all dogs and a big-time laugher. Also, a voice teacher, Meg draws on her love of rhythm, rhyme, and lyricism to create and imagine stories.

Meg is the author of Sounds Like School Spirit (illus. Lucy Ruth Cummins), which landed the #1 spot of The Today Show’s list of Best Back-to-School books, Sometimes Rain (illus. Diana Sudyka), an ALA Top 10 Picture Book for Sustainability, I Heart You (illus. Sarah Jane Wright), a Children’s Fiction Honoree Winner from the Society of Midland Authors, Ready, Set, Sail! (illus. Luke Flowers), an Illinois Good Reads selection, Here Comes Ocean (illus. Paola Zakimi) and Ready, Set, Build! (illus. Jarvis)—all of which have received critical acclaim from Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, The Washington Post and the like… but most importantly, Meg’s books have become beloved treasures to children of all ages.

Be on the lookout for Meg’s forthcoming books, I Was Born A Baby (illus. Brandon James Scott), Wondering Around (illus. Richard Jones), Rock That Vote (illus. Lucy Ruth Cummins) and I Live In A Tree Trunk (illus. Brandon James Scott).

Meg lives outside of San Francisco with her husband, three kids and their ridiculous and adorable golden retriever named Opal.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the cheerful illustrations. Plus, that turtle is me when sailing - holding on for dear life when the boat is tipping, ducking to avoid getting hit by the boom... it felt very realistic!

[Susan Foster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good for a boat-themed Story Time.

[Kassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute rhyming book! I learned about trimming and buoys and sailboats having the right of way. ⛵

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this delightful picture book, Meg Fleming shows toddlers and preschool something practical:

How is sailing done?

All is described in practical terms, relatable terms. Adorable pictures supplement the narrative. For instance:

"Grab your life vest. Zip that zipper."

Life seems sane, and opposite to overwhelming, when Meg Fleming describes how things work in this picture book. Humor is definitely included. I love this book.

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations are vibrant and kid-friendly, and the amount of text is perfect for storytime. There is a fair amount of sailing/boat vocabulary sprinkled throughout (rudder, bowline, boom, dighy, etc) but not so much that it overwhelms--it would still be fun as well as educational. Also a good consideration for September's for "Talk Like a Pirate Day" storytime (even this book is more "sailors" than "pirates")

[Mary Uhles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kids of any age who love a day on the water will enjoy reading this one over and over! Sharp, fun rhyme and bouncy illustrations make this delightful favorite for seasoned sailors and land lubbers alike. Add it to your boat bag for sure!

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is just too cute. The rhymes are perfect, the cadence secure, and the illustrations so much fun, you feel like you are there. A cat and a turtle go to sea and have marvelous adventures with their friends. A perfect read for storytime or any time.
#IllinoisReads2019

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable picture book with a Tiger and a Turtle sailing around on a sailboat. Written with a bouncy, rhyming text, this is a quick read, perfect for young ones who love boats, tigers, turtles & adventure!
Kids enjoyed it.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really fun book for younger children. Simple, rhyming text introduce some of the vocabulary associated with sailing but the illustrations are where this book really shines. They are bright, colorful, and filled with lots of fun details.

[Barbra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bold fun illustrations recount the things two sailors, cat and turtle, have seen as they journey on the sea. Simple text creates an easy read for youngsters.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very quick rhyming read with nice illustrations.

[Deatrice · Rating 5 out of 5]

cute book

[Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

fun option for a Boats storytime theme

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun and vibrant art. Rhyming text, a “how-to” sail for the youngest readers.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple toddler and up book about a turtle and a tiger setting sail. Takes you through many steps, is colorfula dn easy to follow

[Karla · Rating 3 out of 5]

kids loved this short and sweet story

not an all time classic but cute and colorful

[Sushie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick, rhyming read about sailing a boat

[Abigail · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m 8 months old. I enjoy the colorful pages and if it’s read quickly it sounds like a song.

[Library To-Go]

10/08/25: Play & Learn and PediaTrust - JB

[Frances · Rating 5 out of 5]

A grandma’s house favorite

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, so this hasn't worked as well as I'd hoped in either of the storytimes I've used it in. I plan to give it one more try the next time I do a preschool program on things that go, since it's got a lot of really good boat vocabulary in it.

[Christine Turner]

Set sail into the world of boats in this buoyant companion to Trucks Roll! and Planes Fly! Boats float!
From steamships to ghostships, to the little and big in-between ships, this fun, rhyming book explores a wide array of boats. The third in George Ella Lyon's transportation series, Boats Float! Takes to the seas with dynamic illustrations that will keep even the youngest of readers eager to turn the page.


Subject: Boats and boating -- Juvenile fiction.

Additional note: This book will work for older toddlers or preschool. Although, be aware that it would be best if used one-on-one or a small storytime group; the illustrations are adorable, but very busy.