Working Boats: An Inside Look at Ten Amazing Watercraft

by Tom Crestodina

This richly illustrated book filled with cross sections and exploded views of working boats is perfect for children--and even adults--curious about the mechanics of boats and the lives of people who work on boats.

Filled with full-page spreads of cross sections of ten intriguing working boats, this book provides a glimpse into their inner workings, as well as highlights of each boat's unique engineering components that enable it to do the job it was built for.

Want to know what goes on behind the scenes of a Coast Guard rescue, what it's like to work on a science research vessel, or what's involved in crabbing? The book includes illustrated details about each boat's mission and jobs people do on board, as well as a glimpse of what life is like on a working boat.

Packed with information that's fun and practical, the book also includes details about maritime instruments, such as how a radar works, on-water safety gear, diesel engines, and mechanics, such as how water is pumped through a fire boat.

Genres: Nonfiction, Childrens, Picture Books, Art

56 pages, Hardcover

First published October 25, 2022

Reviews

[Ken-ichi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish every vehicle, device, piece of infrastructure, and built thing on Earth had a book like this.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

While Working Boats is outside my usual reading scope, it's a fun book that hearkens back to the architectural history books of David Macaulay that fascinated me as a child. Tom Crestodina's book is likewise oriented towards children, but he includes enough depth to interest adults, with asides on such things as how diesel engines work, and how salmon seiners set their nets. As it happens, Crestodina lives in the same small port city as myself, so there is some local flavor to savor in these pages as well.

As an added bonus, if you're the sort of person who thought the best part of Wes Anderson's 2004 film "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou" was the cutaway shots of the research vessel Belafonte, you'll likely love this book, as each of the ten craft are presented in exactly that format, and Crestodina's whimsical illustration style makes something delightful out of what could have been rather dry technical diagrams.

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have multiple kid library patrons that hyper fixate on boats. I decided to order this in response to fill that need, it has checked out twice and it's been on the shelves for less than a month


That and it's a very vibrant and interesting book about boats, it held my attention!

[Garnet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb book for child or adult - details galore!

[Flora · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t help but be astonished at how detailed the cross-section illustrations are for each of the working vessels. Children and adults alike will really enjoy this book especially if they like boats. I like children’s books like this - lots of detailed and colorful drawings to examine and just enough interesting facts to learn. A child could be engrossed for hours.

5 stars!

[Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great detailed book with really good drawings showing Cris’s sections of many boats, mostly fishing. Also explains how fish are caught either by hook or net. I learned a lot.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Working Boats - is informative, entertaining, and does a great job explaining how an engine actually works in addition to the information about the boats and people who work with boats. I especially loved the illustration and explanation of how a diesel engine works. As a person who struggled to understand the engine- seeing this diagram and supporting text was very exciting. It explained the engine very well. I was curious about the different rooms or sections on the many types of boats. I enjoyed the illustrations of people inside those spaces to give it some life and dimension. Cresondina's book put my in mind of David Macauly's book Cathedral and his book Castle. Fans of Macauly's work will be impressed. The text was also well written and added to the information the reader will gain reading this book. I will be adding it to my elementary library. I expect some will only look at the pictures but that will be time well spent. For those eager to read pictures and text they will not be disappointed.

[David Carriere · Rating 5 out of 5]

Working Boats: An Inside Look at Ten Amazing Watercraft is a visually captivating and expertly constructed nonfiction book that invites curiosity from the very first page. Through richly detailed illustrations, cross sections, and exploded views, Tom Crestodina opens up a world that is usually hidden, revealing how working boats function and the people who rely on them every day.

What makes this book exceptional is its balance of technical insight and accessibility. Complex systems like radar, diesel engines, and fire pumps are explained clearly and visually, allowing young readers to grasp how each vessel is engineered to perform its specific mission. At the same time, the book humanizes maritime work by showing what life is like aboard research ships, rescue boats, and fishing vessels.

Educational without ever feeling dry, Working Boats rewards careful looking and repeated reading. It is the kind of book that sparks long conversations, fuels curiosity about engineering and maritime life, and appeals equally to children and adults who love understanding how things work.

[Children's Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has been on our fourth grade classroom bookshelf for the last few months, and has quickly become the most popular book in class. These illustrations and descriptions are outstanding and unsurprisingly captured the imaginations of the students.

Working Boats is a beautifully illustrated and informative voyage beneath the decks of ten unique working vessels. It skillfully blends technical insight, personal nuance, and educational value into a visually rich package. Whether you’re a young reader, a seafaring enthusiast, or a parent looking for a smart and engaging gift, this book offers a deeper appreciation for the hidden complexities and vibrant lives within the maritime world.

This is absolutely worth buying!! With obvious educational value, I think teachers will love it. The kids can’t seem to get enough, I’m on the look out for more books like this… Highly recommend picking this one up!!

[September Withers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Working Boats: An Inside Look at Ten Amazing Watercraft by Tom Crestodina is a fascinating exploration of the mechanics, missions, and lives of those who operate working boats. Richly illustrated with cross sections and exploded views, the book offers readers—both young and old—a chance to see the inner workings of Coast Guard vessels, research boats, fireboats, and more. Crestodina balances technical detail with engaging storytelling, making complex engineering concepts accessible and fun, while providing a vivid look at life on board. This is a standout educational book for curious minds interested in maritime technology and careers on the water.

[Carl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific book for anyone interested in the various working boats and how they are constructed to do their job. Great illustrations, clear text. This is one of those books that is in search of an audience. It's listed as a children's book, but I'd say it's really more of a middle or high school reference book--the kind that students actually read and understand. A wonderful achievement.
Tugboats . . . salmon troller . . . salmon seiner . . crabber . . . Coast Guard cutter . . . Halibut schooner . . . fireboat . . . gillnetter . . . research ship . . . ferry

[Jared White · Rating 4 out of 5]

A truly fascinating look into boats and some of what they can do. As well as directly about the boats, there are also snippets of information about the fishing industry, how various things are caught, about the Coast Guard, and more. I loved these cross-section books when I was a kid, especially when it shows people going about their day like in this one... okay, I still love this type of book. :) As well as including people, many of the page spreads also include lovely scenery and wildlife.

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I work in the Children's section of our local library and recommended this book for purchase, and I bought one for myself. Working Boats will appeal to adults and children with its detailed, hand-drawn illustrations and clear, fascinating text.

Reading this book, you will also learn about fish, fishing, engineering, boat safety, and science.

If you want to give kids something to look at besides their phones, get this book.

[Ouyuan X · Rating 5 out of 5]

great artwork that could've only come from someone well versed in both irl ship work and engineering drawing. succinct and very informative, answers much of my curiosity about seafaring and fishing and how ships work in the practical sense. great read, would recommend to children interested in ships, and adults with a childlike curiosity for every other trade out there, all the alternative life and adventure they could have lived

[Mansour S منصور السدحان · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice simple introduction to different types of working boats done in cross sections and other informative illustrations. Totally loved the artwork and the text. It reminds me of The Life Aquatic cross section of the Belafonte!
This book also reminds me of a holy grail book for me which is Jacques Cousteau’s Calypso, but it costs over 200$ so I couldn’t afford it!

[Elizabeth Seibel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved how this book illustrates the different boats. The diagrams were intriguing and the information kept me interested. The cover of this book will pull kids in, but the information will keep them interested.

[Wayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book with amazing art and some great details about working boats. You can smell the salt air while reading this book! Highly recommended.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommended! Kids (and adults) will learn so much about the working boats in our region. Written and illustrated by a local WA author!

[Allie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally someone picks up where Stephen Biesty left off

[Corey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE cross-section books. Something about them endlessly delights me. This is an excellent inside look at some really cool boats.

[Scarlett · Rating 5 out of 5]

OUTSTANDING. I couldn’t put it down. Not only has highly captivating drawings, but the writing is not even close to as bland as one would expect from one of these books.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cool! Parents and kiddos will enjoy reading and learning from this one.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Working Boats: highly recommended! A fascinating look into modern seafaring life, with clear and excellently detailed illustrations and text. Great for a wide age range.

[Skip · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was featured in the Sunday New York Times Book Review.

Amazing detail about working boats, with a heavy emphasis on fishing vessels, featuring colorful cross-section illustrations. Other boats include a coast guard vessel, a firefighting vessel and a NOAA research vessel. Discussions about how engines work and fishing are interweaved, providing lots of information that would delight interested parties. I especially like the review by Wayne, which says "You can smell the salt air while reading this book!"

[Siarl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful children’s book that doesn’t dumb-down the realities of the working boats that fish and crab for seafood in the PNW. Artwork and explanations are excellent. Enough details that adults will be interested and will learn too.

[Sherrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5