Little Boat

きをつけて

by Taro Gomi

“Here’s an author who understands how much bravery it takes to be little in a big world. . . . Masterful.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)  When you’re small and on the go, there’s a lot to watch out big boats, waves, rain clouds, and more! But Little Boat can handle whatever comes his way, braving the elements and the unexpected with his initiative, confidence, and positive attitude. This colorful follow-up to Little Truck, by the author-illustrator of the Batchelder Award winner Over the Ocean, will entertain toddlers sailing toward big adventures!   “Readers will root for the adorable, intrepid [Little Boat].” —Publishers Weekly

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

22 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2015

About the author

Taro Gomi (五味太郎) is a major children’s illustrator and writer. He has more than 400 book titles to his credit. His work has been widely translated into 15 other languages.


Tarō was born in Tokyo and he graduated from ID department, Kuwazawa Design Institute. His readers range from babies to adults, with an equal number of fans overseas. His work has been appreciated considerably with both domestic and international honours such as the Sankei Jido Shuppan Bunka Award, Bologna Children's Book Fair Award among others.


Along with authoring children's books, he is well-known in the fields of Stationery design, clothing design, production of young children's animated videos, CD-ROMs, essays etc.


His popular books published in English include Everyone Poops, Santa Through the Window, Where's the Fish?, My Friends and The Crocodile and the Dentist.

Reviews

[Taylor Kundel-Gower · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, even though they're similar, I liked this one so much better than Little Truck. With Little Truck, I was like "Meh, a nice little story about a truck. A child who likes trucks will enjoy this just fine." With Little Boat I teared up. I'm probably hormonal, but my hormones give Little Boat 4 stars. Thanks.

[sarah diehl · Rating 3 out of 5]

@kidlitexchange #partner
Little Boat by #TaroGomi
21 Aug. release date
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Little Boat learns that life is not always smooth sailing as he faces obstacle after obstacle; It’s new things that make life interesting. This board book can help instill perseverance in our littlest friends. The storyline brings to mind a childhood favorite - #TheLittleEngineThatCould.
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Classic Gomi illustrations depict bol black outlined objects. Little Boat is bright pink and white. Each thing encountered (including Little Boat) is depicted with a face ☺️ The - constantly pictured - sea and sky are each a wonderful shade of blue. New things - or challenges - are muted colors or red.
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Suitable for ages 0-3. Recommended for kiddos who: love boats and the sea, need help approaching new things, or love Gomi’s books. If you enjoy this, then check out it’s precursor - Little Truck!

[Josh Logue · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has six acts and a twist ending that reframes the entire narrative. All in 22 pages and 70 words total, which is very impressive.

The story centers around an initially opaque, blank slate protagonist, who we identify with primarily through their adversity and struggle. But in its final pages, this book switches perspective to close third person. The sudden introduction of emotional and psychological interiority complicates, and I would argue deepens, the reader's relationship with the protagonist and the narrative as a whole. As you flip the final cardboard page, you are asked to question the question at the heart of the story: who is driving this little boat?

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gomi, Taro Little Boat, BOARD BOOK Chronicle Books, 2015. $7.
Little Boat is out in the shipping lanes! Be careful little boat! Watch out for the storm, too. So many hazards out on the ocean.

What is a little boat (a child) doing alone on the water? My goodness, children in peril! It was fun to follow the rolling waves with baby's finger, and I get the message (come home safe) but overall, I think I'll pass.

Pre-K - OPTIONAL Lisa Librarian
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...

[Jeanell · Rating 4 out of 5]

#partner #kle Thank you @kidlitexchange for a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
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Little Boat by Taro Gomi is about a small boat facing wide waters and wild weather with bravery and a purpose to reunite with his parents. Taro Gomi uses simple, yet eye-catching illustrations to engage babies and very young “readers”. With short sentences and vibrant colors this quick read is one families are sure to pick up again and again. Perfect for ages 0-3.
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[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have a liking for inanimate objects with faces, and the illustrations were certainly cute. However, I also felt that just about anyone could create this book with the Microsoft Paint program. With its bold lines and bright colors, the book will succeed in capturing the eyes of the intended audience.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Little Boat is out in the shipping lanes! Be careful little boat! Watch out for the storm, too. So many hazards out on the ocean.

What is a little boat (a child) doing alone on the water? My goodness, children in peril! It was fun to follow the rolling waves with baby's finger, and I get the message (come home safe) but overall, I think I'll pass.

Cross posted to http://kisthebook.blogspot.com CHECK IT OUT!

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little boat sets sail alone on the calm sea, clouds arrive, and little boat sails toward home and finds his boat mom and dad
Gomi’s sparse colorful line illustrations are always a hit with me.
First published in Japan in 2015.

[Jesse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute! I liked it more than Berry.

[Chance Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little Boat is so darn cute!

[Alyssa Gudenburr · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great story in board book form about about a little boat.

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

Cute, colorful, and with toddler friendly illustrations.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A toddler and up board book about a little boat traveling the water and the emotions assocaited with that.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series of book has wonderfully bold illustrations and easy text.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like the graphic design style illustrations with blocks of color and thick black lines.

Simple story about a Little Boat and the various things it encounters.

[Jessie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little boat travels away and back home again. Colorful, blocky illustrations.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cuuute! I love the illustrations; go, little boat! :)

[Andrés · Rating 3 out of 5]

Multiple moments for Little Boat to navigate. Could be a good learn-to-read book, repeating "Little Boat..." sentences.

[Addie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute. 13 month old picked this out at library but lost interest as I read it to her...

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brief but good boat story.

[Kelsey Breseman · Rating 2 out of 5]

cute but a bit random

[Hope · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read at Reedsburg Library

[Joel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very simple and cute

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little Boat faces several obstacles but bravely perseveres to overcome them. Bold text and bright colors make this an appealing picture book for toddlers. Young listeners will identify with Little Boat and will find comfort in the reassuring ending.

[Elizabeth]

I wasn't very into this one. I think I felt a little like there were too many perils one right after each other without an accompanying sense of adventure or purpose.

(Also, "Little Boat" is occasionally referred to as "he," but you could easily replace with the pronoun of your choice.)