Recommended books for children.
Recommended books for children.
The Raft

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.

Reception: Literacy
Literacy is one of the key components listed in the early learning goals. We currently have seven free topics within this component, each one containing multiple activity suggestions. Please login or create a free account to access all these great ideas completely free anytime.

Year 1: Seasons
Explore outside through nature hunts, playing outside and painting the weather. Discover how all these activities and more meet the standards set in the national curriculum and learn more about the world all around us.

Year 1: Tell Me A Story: One
Within this topic your child can create their own nature story walk through words and pictures. They can design their own spoon characters and make a story through discussion cards, plus more. Plus much more in this 6 activity topic.

Publisher: Harper Collins
Format: Paperback
Print length: 40 pages
Dimensions: 27.94 x 0.86 x 23.5 cm
Reading age: 4 - 8 years old
Publication date: May 28, 2002
ISBN: 9780064438568

Jim LaMarche

Jim is one of the most talented artists working in children’s books today. His many successful books include Rainbabies by Laura Kraus Melmed and Albert by Donna Jo Napoli, which was selected as a New York Times Best Illustrated Book; and Up and Raft, which he also wrote. Most recently he illustrated The Carpenter’s Gift by David Rubel and Puma Dreams by Tony Johnston. Jim lives in Santa Cruz, California.

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