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The Raft Paperback – Picture Book, May 28, 2002
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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.
- Print length40 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Grade levelKindergarten - 3
- Lexile measureAD540L
- Dimensions11 x 0.09 x 9.25 inches
- PublisherHarperCollins
- Publication dateMay 28, 2002
- ISBN-100064438562
- ISBN-13978-0064438568
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Review
“The luminous illustrations evoke a magical aura.” — The Horn Book
“The sunlight on the dock and in Grandma’s cottage and the moonlight and dawn on the river are rendered with particular grace, while the figures of the animals are lively and direct.” — ALA Booklist
“This dazzling picture book is an artistic triumph.” — School Library Joumal
“Exquisitely rendered pastel drawings.” — Publishers Weekly
From the Back Cover
Nicky isn't one bit happy about spending the summer with his grandma in the Wisconsin woods, but them the raft appears and changes everything. As Nicky explores, the raft works a subtle magic, opening up the wonders all around him--the animals of river and woods, his grandmother's humor and wisdom, and his own special talent as an artist.
About the Author
Jim LaMarche wrote and illustrated The Raft. He also illustrated Little Oh and The Rainbabies, both by Laura Krauss Melmed. He lives in Santa Cruz, California.
In His Own Words...
"It's funny how things turn out. I wasn't one of those kids with a clear vision of the future, the ones who know at age five that they will be writers or doctors or artists. I liked to draw, but then, so did most of the kids I knew, and growing up to be an artist never really occurred to me. What I did want to be, in order of preference, was a magician, Davy Crockett, a doctor, a priest (until I found out they couldn't get married), and a downhill ski racer.
"But I always loved to make things, and once I got going on a project I loved, I stuck with it. Once, when I was five or six, I cut a thousand cloth feathers out of an old sheet, which I then attempted to glue to my bony little body. I was sure I could have flown off the back porch if I'd just had a better glue. Another time I dug up some smooth blue-gray clay from the field behind our house, then molded it into an entire zoo, dried the animals in the sun, and painted them as realistically as I could. I made a grotto out of cement, a shoe box, and my fossil collection. I made moccasins out of an old deerhide I found in the basement.
"I grew up in the little Wisconsin town of Kewaskum, the soul of which was the Milwaukee River. In the summer we rafted on it and swam in it. In the winter we skated on it, sometimes traveling miles upriver. In the spring and fall my dad took us on long canoe trips, silently sneaking up on deer, heron, and fields of a thousand Canada geese. And almost all year long we fished for bullheads and northerns from the dam.
"I began college at the University of Wisconsin as a biology major, but somewhere along the line--I'm not sure when or even why--I switched to art, and graduated with a bachelor of science degree in art. I still had no idea of becoming a professional artist, however. In the meantime, I joined VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) and moved to Bismarck, North Dakota, to work with United Tribes of North Dakota creating school curriculum materials. It was a great job. Because there were only a few of us, I was able to try my hand at a little of everything: writing, graphic design, photography, and illustration. It was then that I slowly realized that it might be possible for me to make a living at art. I moved to California, and in the evenings-after working all day as a carpenter's assistant--I put together a portfolio.
"Twenty years later, I'm still here, living in Santa Cruz with my wife, Toni, and our three sons, Mario, Jean-Paul, and Dominic. The Pacific Ocean is only a few blocks away, and the scenery is very different from that of the Midwest, but somehow Kewaskum and the Milwaukee River show up in almost everything I draw. They provided the details of setting for The Rainbabies, Carousel, and Grandmother's Pigeon, and they are the setting for the book I'm working on now, my own story about the magic of a raft.
"I feel very lucky to have ended up as an illustrator of children's books. And maybe that isn't so different from my childhood dream of being a magician after all. Starting with a clean sheet of paper and with nothing up my sleeves, I get to create something that was never there before."
Product details
- Publisher : HarperCollins; Reprint edition (May 28, 2002)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 40 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0064438562
- ISBN-13 : 978-0064438568
- Reading age : 4 - 9 years, from customers
- Lexile measure : AD540L
- Grade level : Kindergarten - 3
- Item Weight : 7.2 ounces
- Dimensions : 11 x 0.09 x 9.25 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #76,751 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
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Customer reviews
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the story charming and relatable. They appreciate the beautiful illustrations that capture nature's magic. The book holds kids' attention and celebrates summer and nature.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the story engaging and relatable. They describe it as a charming, captivating read aloud with beautiful illustrations. The book provides valuable life lessons about growing up and friendship with an older relative.
"It’s a wonderful, charming short story. I bought it for grandkids but the art work drew me to open the book and read it. I’m so glad I did...." Read more
"Lovely story and beautiful imagery." Read more
"...It has a rich variety of vocabulary, high interest and relatable." Read more
"...The pictures were wonderful and the book lended it’s way to lots of good discussion...." Read more
Customers enjoy the illustrations. They find the pictures wonderful and fall in love with the story. The book is beautifully written with a rich variety of vocabulary and an engaging storyline.
"Lovely story and beautiful imagery." Read more
"...It has a rich variety of vocabulary, high interest and relatable." Read more
"...The pictures were wonderful and the book lended it’s way to lots of good discussion...." Read more
"Amazing illustrations, so beautiful. You feel like you are at the River with the boy in the story...." Read more
Customers enjoy the book's appeal to kids. They find the story endearing and it holds their attention. The illustrations are beautifully done, making it a fun read aloud for kids. Many readers mention that the book is a wonderful addition to any child's collection, and enjoyable for the whole family.
"Great book for so many ages. Used this book with a variety of elementary students for Language learning...." Read more
"...Wonderful life lessons about growing up and friendship with an older relative." Read more
"...I wasn't sure what to expect but everyone was really engaged...." Read more
"...Wonderful life lessons about growing up and friendship with an older relative." Read more
Customers enjoy the book's nature value. They say it celebrates nature, time unplugged, and summer. The book creates an ambiance with words and illustrations that readers should own.
"...The theme of enjoying nature was evident from the get-go and the illustrations gently reinforced the message." Read more
"...It celebrates nature, time unplugged, and summer. Don't be surprised if the next request is to head to the river and build a raft." Read more
"...Mr. LaMarche creates an ambiance, with words and illustrations, that your young ones will want to spend much time in ... even if they do end..." Read more
"Anyone who knows and loves art, children, artists and nature should own this book. Great story and the artwork is such a pleasure to view." Read more
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on August 6, 2024It’s a wonderful, charming short story. I bought it for grandkids but the art work drew me to open the book and read it. I’m so glad I did. I’ll have to buy another for the grandkids! lol!
- Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2024Lovely story and beautiful imagery.
- Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2023Great book for so many ages. Used this book with a variety of elementary students for Language learning. It has a rich variety of vocabulary, high interest and relatable.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2022I read this to my 5th grade students and they all loved it! The pictures were wonderful and the book lended it’s way to lots of good discussion. It also brought memories of when my own son was a boy and stayed the summer with my mother who lived next to a river. I believe he would agree.
- Reviewed in the United States on December 7, 2023Amazing illustrations, so beautiful. You feel like you are at the River with the boy in the story. Wonderful life lessons about growing up and friendship with an older relative.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2023My son, soon to be 8 years old, said this book gave him tingles he loved it so much! Really wonderful story!
- Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2023Class really enjoyed this book. I wasn't sure what to expect but everyone was really engaged. They at first empathized with the boy for having to go to Grandma's with no TV (I added in internet and phone service). Then they were captivated with the drawings on the raft and loved all the different animals they were seeing. Most really liked the idea of spending the summer on a raft seeing tons of animals and drawing pictures. It was a hit!
- Reviewed in the United States on September 9, 2001As a young girl, I loved summers in upstate NY with my grandmother. This book - from the first illustration to the end - hurled me backward in time. I loved it. I used it as part of a group of river-related books in my Reading program for 3,4 and 5th graders. I loved reading it aloud to the students time and time again and they loved listening to it. Some of them chose to read it again by themselves. We put together a wonder mural of river life after reading this and all the other river-related books. It was a wonderful read for us all. My students were amazed at how the little boy could have any fun without a TV. The theme of enjoying nature was evident from the get-go and the illustrations gently reinforced the message.
Top reviews from other countries
- NatalieReviewed in Canada on July 18, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful book
This is a beautiful book with an important message for children. Illustrations are gorgeous and gently encourages children (and reminds adults) to reconnect with nature. Simplicity is the key to happiness.
I read this to my children multiple times and am pleased to have it in our collection.
- Jo HindReviewed in the United Kingdom on April 12, 2015
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Such a beautiful book, used in the classroom with 11 year olds and they loved it too!
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sylvie chantoinReviewed in France on May 25, 2012
5.0 out of 5 stars Texte et images de Jim Lamarche : une merveille !
Tout amateur de littérature jeunesse se doit de découvrir (si ce n'est déjà fait) Jim Lamarche, merveilleux illustrateur de deux autres albums signés par Laura Krauss Melmaid : Les Bébés de Lune et Little Oh !. Pour The Raft (le Radeau), il a aussi pris la plume et raconte un été de son enfance, un été passé chez sa grand-mère, un peu solitaire, un peu sauvage peut-être, mais aussi artiste cachée auprès de laquelle il va découvrir les merveilles de la nature, au fil de l'eau, sur un vieux radeau. Il va donc observer, écouter, se laisser envahir, et puis dessiner, dessiner encore, dessiner toujours. L'été passera trop vite, finalement, et notre jeune narrateur, Jim himself of course, aura trouvé sa vocation. C'est splendide, plein de poésie, de tendresse, de chaleur estivale adoucie par le clapotis de l'eau. Encore, Jim, encore !
- C. DormanReviewed in Canada on July 30, 2015
5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely story and illustrations are breath-taking.
One of the most beautifully illustrated children's books we own. Love this story of a young boy who is left at his Grandma's cottage for the summer. Reluctant and unsure at first, the boy opens up and comes alive when he happens upon an old raft and starts exploring the river along his Grandma's property. Beautiful read.
- jillReviewed in Canada on April 10, 2018
5.0 out of 5 stars Love it
Love the story.