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by Gregory J. Burch (Author), Gregory J. Burch (Illustrator)
The First Boat is a lyrical tale of discovery and wanderlust.
A young boy from Maine longs to follow in the wake of a fabled sea captain, to sail the ocean round in a green boat, see whales spouting rainbows in the sky, and find a mermaid. Despite the bullying laughter of many, he pursues a dream to embark upon his own adventure.
This richly illustrated, timeless tale is certain to inspire gentle dreams and become a family favorite.
The story opens just after the world began. A 10-year-old sea captain sails the new world steeped in awesome beauty. Humanity and nature resonate with delight. Whales abound and spray rainbows into the sky. The wonderous world is revealed to the captain. He meets a mermaid in his travels and together they sail looking for pine trees and lobsters. They discover Maine.
Eons pass. Then another young boy comes into the world. He is Samuel from Maine. He longs to sail the oceans like the first captain. When Samuel openly expresses his desire, he is roundly jeered, but not for the reason you may think. This episode exposes the absurdity of bullying, and how everyone will pile on a joke at others expense. Samuel is resolute and eventually launches his own ocean adventure.
Eons pass. And a new generation is invited to dream.
