The Raft

This gorgeous picture book celebrates the wonders of summer adventures, imagination, and the natural world.

Nicky is convinced that his summer with his grandmother in the Wisconsin woods is going to be the worst summer ever. She cooks food that he doesn't like, there's an art studio where her living room should be, and he's expected to do chores--including fishing, the most boring chore ever.

But one afternoon, while Nicky is trying to catch their dinner, a raft drifts down the river towards him. The raft has a calming magic about it, affecting both Nicky and the wildlife of the river and woods. Through the raft and the adventures it brings him on, Nicky finds new common ground with his grandmother, a fellow river rat, who encourages him to explore his newfound talent for art.

This is an imagination-sparking story about appreciating the simple, natural joys of the world and the people in it, and about discovering and exploring one's own talents. School Library Journal proclaimed, "This dazzling picture book is an artistic triumph." The author's note describes the similarities between Jim LaMarche's own life and the life of his protagonist.

Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 04/05/2000
ISBN: 9780688139773
Pages: 40
Weight: 0.99lbs
Size: 9.66h x 11.24w x 0.38d

Review Citations: Publishers Weekly 04/03/2000 pg. 81
Kirkus Review - Children 04/15/2000 pg. 562
School Library Journal 05/01/2000 pg. 146
Booklist 05/01/2000 pg. 1679
New York Times 06/18/2000 pg. 25
Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2000 pg. 273 - Below Average, With Minor Flaw
Hornbook Guide to Children 07/01/2000 pg. 273 - Below Average, With Minor Flaw

Accelerated Reader Quiz #/Name: 41449 / Raft
Reading Level: 4.1 / Interest Level: Lower Grade / Point Value: 0.5