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Sail
This debut is about sailing through the journey of life.
Out at sea anything can happen: whether trials or triumphs, there are infinite possibilities to explore once we leave the shore. And what lies under the water's surface, in the darkest depths, can often lead to the most beautiful discoveries.
Out at sea anything can happen: whether trials or triumphs, there are infinite possibilities to explore once we leave the shore. And what lies under the water's surface, in the darkest depths, can often lead to the most beautiful discoveries.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published March 9, 2021
About the author
Dorien Brouwers
10 books6 followersDorien Brouwers initially began writing & illustrating books as a gift for her son. She draws predominantly with watercolour and ink, developing a distinctive style rich in texture and detail. Her book SAIL was a winner at the AOI World Illustration Awards and shortlisted for the Bologna Picture Book Fair Illustrator's Exhibition.
She grew up in the Netherlands and currently lives in Suffolk, England.
She grew up in the Netherlands and currently lives in Suffolk, England.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
April 30, 2025
can't wait to read this to my kids 🥹
March 16, 2021
This 2021 book has illustrations that were made using watercolor on 220 gsm Daler Rowney paper with mono printed details. The lines in the artwork provides essential elements of motion and the words flow such a way on the page that they show movement as well. The illustrations were my favorite part of this whole book due to the level of sheer skill that it looks like it required. If you want a picture book that keeps a child interested without even having to read the words, this is one of them. You could talk about the illustrations as a class all day long. The discussion questions at the end of the book are perfect and I would love to use this book in my classroom. 10/10 5 stars 100%. Cannot wait to see what awards this book wins.
April 5, 2021
Beautiful use of color and lines, totally made me miss the ocean even more.
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June 29, 2022I really liked this book and saw myself in this book, it was very uplifting and inspiring.
May 29, 2021
Beautiful illustrations with unique detail! The author has a great way of communicating facing life’s difficulties by using sailing as an analogy! I enjoyed this!
April 2, 2021
This one is a 3.5 for me, and I consider it one of those picture books that would make a perfect gift for graduation or for someone embarking on a new job. Impressive watercolor illustrations with additional monoprinted details attract readers' eyes on every page as the author ruminates on the voyages and life challenges that face anyone preparing to set sail either literally or figuratively. After all, boats come in various sizes and the weather can be unpredictable, but there will be no adventures and very little living unless someone decides to embark on a watery journey. Everything won't be just smooth sailing as the weather and water may not cooperate, and the rough water may even cause a mishap. But through all those challenges, everything will turn out just fine if you keep your wits about you and embrace the moment, learning even from those hard times. I'm sure there are those in life who hope for smooth sailing and never a storm on the horizon, but as this picture book so readily demonstrates, that's impractical and maybe not even desirable since challenges test our mettle and allow us to grow and learn new things, sometimes even things about ourselves. This picture book is intended for a slow, meditative read and reflection afterward to experience its full impact. There are even some questions at the end of the book that help readers consider their own approach to tough times or unexpected occurrences in their life's journey.
April 6, 2021
A children's book that has depth, intelligence, and beauty
As a Governor of my local primary school, I tend to be a harsh critic when it comes to children's books.
This particular book is a masterclass in children's books; an adventure, exciting, scary, beautiful, surprising, inspiring, and in rhyme – it is beautifully written.
Furthermore – I'll challenge any adult not to get a lump in their throat when reading it. My son picked up on this when we read it together. He enjoyed the pictures and the rhythm of the text. He then inquired about my reaction, which led to a beautiful conversation about when he was bullied at school and how we learn from these challenging times. Growth does come from those moments in life when all seems dark – the mystical Octopus really caught his eye, 'what are the keys for Dad?'
Let's talk to our children like grown-ups. Our children ask "Why?" so much because they genuinely want to learn. At some point, they stop asking, and it's generally because we stop giving them real answers.
As a Governor of my local primary school, I tend to be a harsh critic when it comes to children's books.
This particular book is a masterclass in children's books; an adventure, exciting, scary, beautiful, surprising, inspiring, and in rhyme – it is beautifully written.
Furthermore – I'll challenge any adult not to get a lump in their throat when reading it. My son picked up on this when we read it together. He enjoyed the pictures and the rhythm of the text. He then inquired about my reaction, which led to a beautiful conversation about when he was bullied at school and how we learn from these challenging times. Growth does come from those moments in life when all seems dark – the mystical Octopus really caught his eye, 'what are the keys for Dad?'
Let's talk to our children like grown-ups. Our children ask "Why?" so much because they genuinely want to learn. At some point, they stop asking, and it's generally because we stop giving them real answers.
June 22, 2021
What a beautifully detailed book, helping all ages to Sail through the storm seas of life.
This past year has certainly been pretty turbulent at times, creating waves of uncertainty for many of us.
Dorien shows through this amazingly beautiful illustrated book, that no matter how difficult life can be, there is much to be grateful for. It’s what we do in stormy seas of life. Searching for new ways or casting our nets to find new adventures and developing that ability to open our eyes to what is around us that will help us to stay afloat on our own boat of life.
So set sail dear readers and enjoy the wonders of nature and the ocean.
It’s there if we seek it as Dorien certainly encourages us to do so.
and that if we seek that positive attitude and cast our nets a far, we’re sure to find new adventures to explore in our life.
This past year has certainly been pretty turbulent at times, creating waves of uncertainty for many of us.
Dorien shows through this amazingly beautiful illustrated book, that no matter how difficult life can be, there is much to be grateful for. It’s what we do in stormy seas of life. Searching for new ways or casting our nets to find new adventures and developing that ability to open our eyes to what is around us that will help us to stay afloat on our own boat of life.
So set sail dear readers and enjoy the wonders of nature and the ocean.
It’s there if we seek it as Dorien certainly encourages us to do so.
and that if we seek that positive attitude and cast our nets a far, we’re sure to find new adventures to explore in our life.
April 27, 2021
The intricate illustrations draw you in, but it’s the text that really hits you.
The message to me is accepting that life isn’t always “smooth sailing,” and that going through a rough patch isn’t good or bad per se. It just is what it is, and you should try to make the best of it and see where it leads you. There could well be hiding tremendous beauty underneath.
It’s a lesson I’d like my kid to learn early in this hyper competitive society we live in, and this is a fascinating book to help teach it.
The message to me is accepting that life isn’t always “smooth sailing,” and that going through a rough patch isn’t good or bad per se. It just is what it is, and you should try to make the best of it and see where it leads you. There could well be hiding tremendous beauty underneath.
It’s a lesson I’d like my kid to learn early in this hyper competitive society we live in, and this is a fascinating book to help teach it.
January 29, 2022
Beautiful artwork! I would put them on my wall without any accompanying words. The poem consists of rhyming couplets and is about life being a series of obstacles and periods of smooth sailing. The obstacles give you treasures you wouldn't find otherwise. It is a great book for people of any age who are going through change or rough weather in their lives. And it's beautiful.
March 17, 2021
A perfect gift for any graduate. I will probably be buying it instead of Oh, the Places You'll Go!.
April 27, 2021
A lovely book that both my 7 and 3 year old children enjoy.
The illustrations are gorgeous and create a real feeling of escapism.
The underlying message is a positive one and something I think all children should be encouraged to consider.
The illustrations are gorgeous and create a real feeling of escapism.
The underlying message is a positive one and something I think all children should be encouraged to consider.
July 13, 2022
In looking for an alternate “yearbook” for teachers to sing (instead of “Oh, the places you’ll go,”) I find this to be a pretty good alternate. I love the illustrations, but find the color scheme a little too dark. The messages are all spot on though!
February 24, 2021
Absolutely beautiful... and more relevant than ever. Will gift to my adult friends and my kids’-friends. Resilience and hope... can’t recommend enough!
March 27, 2021
2 stars bc beautiful illustrations but did not like story
March 29, 2021
Great illustrations!! Loved reading the positive message we can all use so much now!
June 26, 2021
A sailing-as-metaphor-for-life picture book story in verse.
December 5, 2021
Great book about taking risks and working through obstacles. Could see reading it to graduating classes.
July 23, 2022
I liked the art work but not a book I would read to young children.
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July 15, 2024a mindful poem that uses sailing as a metaphor about life,
beautifully illustrated
beautifully illustrated
March 30, 2021
By canoe, by raft, by fishing boat, by speed boat, by pontoon, by yacht, by houseboat or by sailboat, with every trip this passenger has stories to tell. It can be a simple sunny day cruise. It can be the most amazing fish tale every told. It can be a my-dad-will-never-let-me-drive-the-boat-again-after-I ran-it-up-on-the-dock escapade. It can be an I-can't-believe-I-survived ocean exploit. These narratives, when combined with other multiple water travels, are an individual's existence from first to last breath. In Sail (Little, Brown and Company, March 9, 2021) written and illustrated by Dorien Brouwers, readers explore the wild, wonderful, unpredictable, and sometimes frightening ride called life
My full recommendation: https://librariansquest.blogspot.com/...
My full recommendation: https://librariansquest.blogspot.com/...
January 1, 2022
The artwork is so pretty!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews