Sail Away [Paperback]

Donald Crews (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Sail Away

It's a perfect day for sailing. Motor under the bridge, putt . . . putt . . . putt past the lighthouse, put up the sails, and whoosh! But watch out for a change in the weather. Seas will swell and waves will crash before you sail back home.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In the tradition of Truck and Freight Train, Crews spirits young readers away in an interesting vehicle, this time for a day of sailing. The power in the air and water are palpable as a family rows the dinghy out to board their sailboat and embark on an exciting trip. But when "clear skies turn cloudy and gray" and the seas become angry, the crew faces some scary moments. Crews's short phrases and multi-sized typefaces work in tandem to convey a true feeling of motion. In one particularly striking spread, for example, the word "Whoosh!" appears in giant letters as the sails are raised; the letters gradually bleach from a nautical blue "W" to a brilliant white "H." Sunny blues and greens and lots of crisp white make up an appropriate seafaring palette. Even landlubbers won't be able to resist this invigorating outing. Ages 2-up.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 3?With inventive interplay between typeface and art, Crews conveys the excitement of a somewhat harrowing sailing experience. It starts out as a perfect day when the small sloop leaves its mooring, putt putts out under the bridge, passes the lighthouse, and sets sail. A violent storm provides a dramatic crescendo to the adventure before the boat returns home safely as the sun is setting. The brief text with selected onomatopoeia works harmoniously with the bold yet fluid watercolor art to create the sensation of sailing. The clever design utilizes typeface to further extend the impression of motion: slanted words mirror the angle of the wind, letters change size during climactic plot shifts, and, at times, the print is incorporated into the illustrations?when the sails catch the wind with a forceful WHOOSH, the overblown letters billow onto the white sail. With his unerring sense of color and design, Crews has again successfully captured the essence of a moving experience within the confines of a book.?Caroline Ward, Nassau Library System, Uniondale, NY
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Paperback: 40 pages
• Publisher: Greenwillow Books (May 3, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688175171
• ISBN-13: 978-0688175177
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 9.3 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #401,192 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Batten Them Hatches!, June 19, 2005

By 

M. Allen Greenbaum (California) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sail Away (Hardcover)

Donald Crew's "Sail Away" was a favorite of our toddler. It's awash with the colors and textures of the sea, and uses minimal but effective text.

As a family of four set out on "a perfect day for sailing," they "row the dinghy out to our sailboat" among soft blues and greens and foggy mists lying over the still bay. Crew's New England seascape includes a wooden bridge (drawn from below), a lighthouse on a hill, and a WHOOSH! of wind as they ride the waves. The varied font sizes and colors (there also a gigantic "SAIL AWAY."), make this simple story of a day on the water an exciting and engaging one. Later, the "clear skies turn cloudy and gray." Soon, the waves are high and peaked, the clouds much greyer, and Cruise adds yet more drama with a big-fonted "Angry seas," and the shouted command "Shorten sails!"

As the boat heads home, the storm abates, night begins to fall, and the lighthouse illuminates the bay. In a particularly beautiful picture, the sailboat floats under the silhouetted bridge, decorated with tiny white lights over its suspension wires. The family makes it safely and calmly back, and in a green, quiet sea, we view the now empty, now tranquil boat, "moored!"

I'm not sure how many kids will know the meaning of "moored," but this is a nearly perfect book for toddlers and younger: A simple but exciting story, with colorful illustrations, and a soft and comforting conclusion. Very well done!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sail Away with this wonderful book, June 5, 2001

By 

Puppet Lover (Sydney, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sail Away (Hardcover)

My 3 year old son loves this book. He often goes sailing with his Uncle in Sydney Harbour. This book helps him recall those special times with his Uncle. He adds to the story with his own memories. We have checked this book out from the library twice, and I now think that it is something that we need to buy.

4 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Needs more Story, January 25, 2000

By 

jack potter (Winchester, Va.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sail Away (Hardcover)

The illustrations tell an emotional story of sailing, but the text is a little thin to hold the interest of a young child. The style of story-telling utilizing visual effect to create all the drama misses the opportunity to build an engrossing tale around the art. It took about 10 minutes with my 6 yr od son to "finish" this book.