The Little Ships: The Heroic Rescue at Dunkirk in World War II (Paperback)

by Louise Borden (Author), Michael Foreman (Illustrator) "In 1940, I lived with my father in the town of Deal, on the Kent coast of England, safe from the thunder of the Germans'..." (more)
Key Phrases: Smoky Joe

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
A girl and her father cross the English Channel to help rescue hundreds of thousands of Allies stranded on the beaches of Dunkirk. A child's vision of war's pangs and fears is crucial in The Little Ships, and Louise Borden never falters. Nor do the watercolors by Michael Foreman (and readers of all ages should get hold of his superbly unsentimental memoir, War Boy). --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal
Grade 3-5. Through this fictionalized account, the incredible story of the evacuation of Dunkirk in May, 1940, is brought to life. Borden provides the facts through the voice and eyes of a young girl who, with her fisherman father, joins the rescue effort, hoping to find her brother, John, somewhere among the thousands of men who have been fighting in France. Foreman's watercolor paintings add to the drama, excitement, and poignancy of the narrative. The flowing transparent hues of the scenes are just right for the watery setting, and the artist adds a stronger concentration of pigments to evoke the terror of beaches and ships under attack. Foreman provides panoramic views of the ragtag fleet of boats, the burning beaches, and thousands of men fleeing; then he moves in for a stirring close-up of a floundering soldier pulled over the side of the fishingboat. He also adds the visual story of a little dog, clutched in the arms of that near-drowning soldier, and then held tightly by the young narrator as she waits anxiously for word of her brother. The book ends with further facts about the evacuation and an excerpt from Winston Churchill's stirring speech ("We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing-grounds..."). The story should prompt children's curiosity about an event that for them is part of a far-distant past and stir their hearts with this family's courage.?Barbara Kiefer, Teachers College, Columbia University, NY
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Aladdin (February 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689853963
• ISBN-13: 978-0689853968
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #505,970 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Reality and Poetry, April 5, 2002

By	Patricia Harris (Dot-on-the-Prairie, Kansas) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Little Ships: The Heroic Rescue at Dunkirk in World War II (Hardcover)

I first learned of the Battle of Dunkirk when I read 'The Snow Goose' at the age of 11. I am sick of Harry Potter and its ilk and want my grandson to learn about stories that last. I realized he neither knows nor cares about history, nor is he so a precocious reader as I was at his age (pre-television). I decided this would have to be a gradual process, and that he will have to know about one of the great heroic events in our history before 'The Snow Goose' would be meaningful to him.

To this end, I discovered 'The Little Ships' and found myself with tears in my eyes over the beauty of the writing. For example, when the little girl is relating what she sees in the water (broken planks, army coats and boots) as she and her father are ferrying the soldiers, she sums it up by ' . . . and everything soldiers leave behind when they can take only themselves.'

The 'Snow Goose' will have to wait - although I certainly enjoyed reading it again. He's simply not old enough, but he's ready for 'The Little Ships.' The beauty of the writing and the wonderful illustrations will capture him. Best of all, the basic story is true. I'm buying two more copies - one for my library and one for the grade school. Children should know that, while we humans are capable of hideous acts, we are also capable of breathtaking acts of bravery, and they should be moved as they read about them.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Pictures, March 8, 2007

By	Liz B - See all my reviews

Although this is a picture book, it's pretty difficult reading for early elementary. I bought this for my first and second graders, but after reading it decided to save it until they're older. Until they're ready for it, I will enjoy it myself! To me it is a very real and moving account of the famous rescue of the soldiers at Dunkirk. I think it would be a good supplement to a class studying World War 2, any age from 3rd grade on up, but probably more benefit for slightly older kids. Younger kids would definitely need some preparation for the vocabulary before reading the book.

3.0 out of 5 stars Great for young people, September 11, 2008

By	B. Gunther "bgmac01" (New York) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I am old enough to have lived through WWII. Much emphasis, rightly so, is given to the horrors of the war: the concentration camps, the Burma death march and the like.

It is far too easy to forget the incredible bravery of the every day civilian. If Londoners had not held out during the blitz, if the British people had not brought home the troops from the beaches of Dunkirk, our history might well have had a different outcome. These everyday civilians held out until America was geared up to take part. If they had not done so our history might well have had a different outcome.

This was indeed "Their finest hour."

Yet, until now, the only book I have had in my library that commemorates these incredible feats is Paul Gallico's beautiful, "The Snow Goose." Now I have added "The Little Ships."

This is a lovely little book, with delightful illustrations. It is a fine book for introducing a child to this heroic tale.

I could wish there were a more complete, historical book written before there is no one left who actually remember those heroic days.