Occasionally, a book's title says it all. And this is one of those occasions. Indeed, the entirety of this children's chapter book, suited well for ages 7-12, follows the travails of, yes, a boy and a bear in a boat.
Written by Dave Shelton, the tale begins with the boy procuring the services of a bear and his rowboat in an attempt to reach the "other side." The boy is initially equipped with a suitcase as well as a lack of patience and imagination. The bear on the other hand, has an abundance of patience, a trifle less imagination, and additionally, a ukulele and a comic book.
Despite assurances that this trip to the other side will only take a short while, "unforeseeable
anomalies"occur
such as encounters with "turbulent stormy seas! a terrifying sea monster! and the
rank remains of The Very Last Sandwich."
Truth be told, these anomalies make up insignificant portions of the plot. But it is not the plot that makes this book worth reading. Instead, rather than action, it is the book's call to the reader's imagination that makes it a delight.
The slightly scary portrayal of being lost at sea is perfectly juxtaposed with the surreal, whimsical, and ridiculous. Add to the stories charms some fantastic yet understated illustrations and the end result is a well written, highly enjoyable touch of drama paired with a generous helping of humor, growth, and friendship.
And so it begins. Having undertaken a new job in a new place, the time is ripe to embark upon a new adventure. I have for years, wanted to write about the books I have read but simply never worked up the courage to do so. That changes today.
My goal then, is to regularly post short reviews of something that I have checked out and read from the library. But I warn you dear readers, (future readers that is,) I am both an amateur and an omnivore.
What you read here neither represents the institution I work for nor any institution, anyone, or indeed anything other than my own opinions.
Additionally, I like to read a bit of everything. Having worked as a children's and teen librarian, I frequently delve into reading fit for both. Being a lover of comics and cartoons, I also enjoy graphic novels. Having received not one but two English degrees, I like my stuffy, highfalutin fiction. Being curious about almost everything, I can't resist nonfiction. And being a human being, I like to be entertained by mysteries, westerns, romance, and any and everything that is well paced. So please, join me on my journey through one library's collection.
