Grandpa's Boat

Memories of Grandpa and the loves of his life, Grandma and his boat, The Periwinkle, suffuse this lovely picture book. Before Grandpa was tired and ill, he and Grandma had loved the boat, sailing in her, painting her, washing her each week, and the little boy had his first ride in her when only a baby. The family is sad because Grandpa ‘never did get up out of that stupid bed’ and gradually The Periwinkle becomes water-logged and neglected. It is Dad who realises that restoring her will restore the family’s happy memories of Grandpa too. And so it proves. History repeats itself, and after all the cleaning and repairing and painting, The Periwinkle sails again, the family rejoicing in her as Grandpa had done. The text has a dream-like quality, as do the stunning pastel illustrations with soft edges and jewel-like colours. A quality book that will provide comfort and reassurance.