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.
