When Jonathan's parents decide that he has gotten too old to have a stuffed animal, they trade his favorite bear, Frederick, for a toaster, so he s...
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reviews
Sep 01, 2011
Elisabeth
rated it: 
I may be letting my admiration for "A Sick Day for Amos McGee" bleed into reviewing this one - but I do love this book. He is fanciful but matter of fact. He doesn't need to explain HOW or really even WHY a big blue boat sails on a whale (or how animals ride on a bus to visit Amos McGee). It just happens. For some reason I had flashes of Roald Dahl while reading this. Maybe it was the fact that a child has a whimsical adventure and makes the decisions without much adult influence. Coll
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Dec 09, 2011
Allison
rated it:
Let your preconceptions set sail before embarking on this voyage of a book. In Jonathan’s world, a tugboat captain has no problem assisting a little boy in setting off on a great ocean liner in search of a lost friend, and parents don’t think twice about trading their child’s beloved teddy bear for a toaster. “Toasters really are useful,” they explain. And so Jonathan has no choice but to retrieve his dear teddy named Frederick on the great blue bloat that sits in the harbor, and to collect alo
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Aug 07, 2011
Kristin
rated it: 
Having viewed the trailer (over and over), for which Mr. Stead also composed the music, I so wanted to fall in love with this story. I laughed out loud over the item bartered for, enjoyed the clever ways the animals participate in this cumulative tale, but overall I didn't connect as much as I'd hoped. That said, the art is some of the best I've seen. Brilliant, vibrant, detailed, and whimsical, it demonstrates the creator's passion for all things nautical. All in all, I loved this story enough
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Nov 23, 2011
Debbie (Readerbuzz)
rated it: 
Jonathan’s parents trade his teddy bear for a toaster, so Jonathan must set off on a journey alone on a Big Blue Boat to find Frederick. Along the way, he befriends a mountain goat, a circus elephant, and a whale.
A slyly humorous story.
“’Hello,’ said Jonathan to a mountain goat. ‘I’m looking for a bear named Frederick.’
The goat was startled. He had never met a sea captain before.
‘I’ve never met a bear before,’ said the goat, ‘but someday I would li More...
A slyly humorous story.
“’Hello,’ said Jonathan to a mountain goat. ‘I’m looking for a bear named Frederick.’
The goat was startled. He had never met a sea captain before.
‘I’ve never met a bear before,’ said the goat, ‘but someday I would li More...
Jun 20, 2011
Robin
rated it:
When Jonathan's parents trade his teddy bear Frederick for a toaster, Jonathan sails the big blue boat out to sea in search of his friend. He picks up passengers and makes new friends along the way, including an elephant who is too old for the circus, but is valued as an "experienced traveler" and a whale who rescues the boat after it is attacked by pirates by swimming with it on his back. (Reminds me a bit of John Burningham's Mr. Gumpy.) Stead's illustrations are a highlight -- his c
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Aug 28, 2011
Melissa
rated it:
I am so weird. Why do I dislike Itsy Mitsy Runs Away but love this one? They both have wacky premises and perverse parents.
BUT. I think the writing in Big Blue Boat is much stronger, more lyrical, with better rhythm and repetitive structure.
And Jonathan leaves those perverse parents far behind and is his own agent and solves his own problems with the help of his new companions, and finally, yes, finds Frederick (Mitsy never DOES really run away, does she?) in the arms o More...
BUT. I think the writing in Big Blue Boat is much stronger, more lyrical, with better rhythm and repetitive structure.
And Jonathan leaves those perverse parents far behind and is his own agent and solves his own problems with the help of his new companions, and finally, yes, finds Frederick (Mitsy never DOES really run away, does she?) in the arms o More...
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Jan 17, 2012
Christina
rated it:
Philip C. Stead's "Jonathan and the Big Blue Boat", is a story about a little boy who loses his teddy-bear, and best friend. Jonathan then goes on a trip across seas to find his best friend. Along the Jonathan comes across other animals, and learns that he can have more than one best friend. I really liked this book because it talked about friendship, and how friendship comes in all shapes, sizes, and times. The illustrations in this book were very unique. They are done in a colla
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Jun 07, 2011
Angela
rated it:
It's a good thing this one was alredy in the works when the Caldecott was announced. I'd hate to have to wait for Philip to get over his newly-famous jitters and get back to work.
This story has lots of literary elements (repetative language, onomatopoeia, metaphor, similie, dialogue, plot, narrative, climax, resolution), but none detract from this adventure story.
Highly recommended for young listeners who can sit for a longer picture book. One that you can expect to rea More...
This story has lots of literary elements (repetative language, onomatopoeia, metaphor, similie, dialogue, plot, narrative, climax, resolution), but none detract from this adventure story.
Highly recommended for young listeners who can sit for a longer picture book. One that you can expect to rea More...
Jul 21, 2011
Shelli
rated it: 
First the good. I really liked the illustrations. The childlike way many of the pictures are done, plus the incorporation of other elements like stamps or scraps of news papers make the pictures very interesting.
The story however was lacking. Just didn't love it at all. A young boys parents decide he is to old for his teddy bear so they trade it for a toaster. He then takes off in a big blue boat to search for his teddy bear friend high and low. The story just gets weird in a dumb w More...
The story however was lacking. Just didn't love it at all. A young boys parents decide he is to old for his teddy bear so they trade it for a toaster. He then takes off in a big blue boat to search for his teddy bear friend high and low. The story just gets weird in a dumb w More...
Dec 15, 2011
David
rated it: 
While I loved A Sick Day for Amos McGee, and admire some of the art in Jonathan and the Big Blue Boat by Philip C. Stead, I just didn't get into this fantasy story. In fact, parts of the story really got my goat, not the goat in this story mind you, nor do I actually own a goat, but just as a figure of speech - as in annoyed. First a story and illustration recap:
The story follows a young boy, whose parents trade his teddy bear for a toaster, and his quest to recover his beloved be More...
The story follows a young boy, whose parents trade his teddy bear for a toaster, and his quest to recover his beloved be More...
Nov 06, 2011
Laura
rated it:
I almost really loved this book. Jonathan's parents trade his beloved stuffed bear, Frederick, for a toaster. Jonathan takes the Big Blue Boat to search for Frederick and along the way, meets a cast of characters who join him on the ship. I loved the cumulative part of the story and the repetition in Jonathan's adventure.
The tone has a calm, soothing quality that I think makes the perfect bedtime story. The story is a bit slow to start; Jonathan's parents are presented briefly as m More...
The tone has a calm, soothing quality that I think makes the perfect bedtime story. The story is a bit slow to start; Jonathan's parents are presented briefly as m More...
Sep 13, 2011
Dolly
rated it:
This is a strange and whimsical story that follows a young boy as he goes out into the world in search of his beloved stuffed bear. It has wonderful illustrations, filled with bits of mixed media; especially stamps and travel-related items, like maps and charts. The story itself is quite fantastic and somewhat bizarre, but lovable, too. And the repetition is sure to be a hit with younger children. We really enjoyed reading this story together.
Oct 19, 2011
Christi
rated it:
Wonderful details in the collage work in the illustrations. I could spend hours pouring over each spread. Stead's style, both classic and whimsical, is still apparent in the line drawings that overlay the collage (complete with adorable elephant!) I'm not certain the text works as well as it could, but as a package I truly enjoyed the book. And I've found myself going back to it again and again to look at the illustrations.
Aug 04, 2011
Meredith
rated it:
Recycled papers of fascinating origin adorn the pages of this book, both blending in with the images and presenting opportunities for the reader to feel like an archaeologist, discovering exciting texts in each picture. This book would be great to share with middle grade students to highlight the possibilities of using recycled materials and mixed media in art.
Sep 08, 2011
Mary
rated it:
Lovely. A little old-fashioned (in a good way) with illustrations reminiscent of Ezra Jack Keats. Jonathan sets sail in a Big Blue Boat to find his beloved bear Frederick, whom his clueless parents have exchanged for a toaster. On his voyage he is joined by a goat, a circus elephant, and a whale, and eventually finds his bear (plus another new friend).
Jan 16, 2012
Judy
rated it:
I didn't connect with this book. I liked the language use but felt the story was a bit strange. This boy's parents decide he is too old for stuffed animals and gives his away. The boy goes off looking for his bear on a big blue boat. Along the way he meets other magical friends and they all end up sailing away on the big blue boat.
Sep 20, 2011
Ann
rated it:
This definitely reminded me of "A Sick Day for Amos McGee." And after I read it, what do you know? It was written by the Caldecott Winner's husband, Philip Stead. The illustrations are charming with residual newspaper print in the background. And even though it doesn't make logical sense, the boy, the bear, mountain goat,, circus elephant, little girl and the whale all fit together somehow like they belong. I love the fact that they made Jonathan African-American. It made the book j
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Nov 30, 2011
Bridget
rated it:
This was most certainly a fun romp in children's literature. I'd be willing to buy this for any future children I may have. I loved the illustrations and how they blended collage and (maybe) watercolor. It was just a friendly story about finding friends to have adventures with. Delightful.
Aug 02, 2011
Colby
rated it:
Beautiful illustrations and a nice story about a boy looking for his stuffed animal. I started with three stars, but as a think more about the book, the story really grabbed me and pulled me in. This could be a favorites of early elementary students for years to come.
Jun 25, 2011
Mary Ann
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I love the illustrations (actually the fact that the illustrations were done with torn maps). I laughed out loud at the ridiculousness of the first few pages, but it turned into a nice repetitive book that children 2-6 could enjoy.
Dec 03, 2011
Shannon
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I might be in a grouchy mood today, but I'm not that dazzled with the collage art in this book. Or maybe I'm still spoiled from the craftsmanship used in Brother Sun, Sister Moon. Either way, an average book.
Aug 02, 2011
Joella
rated it:
Illustrations are beautiful. I just wasn't in love with the story. Obviously a lot of other people love this book. Just wasn't meant for me. Would still recommend it to others though.
Jun 09, 2011
Aric
rated it:
Love it! Philip Stead has really outdone himself on the illustrations this time. A great meditation on growing older, and not wanting to lose touch with what makes childhood wondrous.
Jan 16, 2012
Kristie
rated it:
This is a great story about friendship and accepting others into your circle. The illustrations are amazing as well. I think this would be a wonderful read-aloud.
Dec 18, 2011
Kellee
rated it:
First, Jonathan's parents are mean.
Also, the artwork in this book was beautiful.
Finally, a very Where the Wild Things Are type of story minus the mischief.
Also, the artwork in this book was beautiful.
Finally, a very Where the Wild Things Are type of story minus the mischief.
Sep 14, 2011
stillme
rated it:
I liked the illustrations much more than the story. Charlotte liked looking at the pictures, but I'm not sure she entirely understood what was going on.
Jan 04, 2012
Erica -
rated it:
Such cool illustrations and artwork. The illustrations are drawings and collage made with stamps the author collected along with small maps.
Jan 03, 2012
Erica
rated it:
Such cool illustrations and artwork. The illustrations are drawings and collage made with stamps the author collected along with small maps.
Aug 25, 2011
Bath Book Shop
rated it:
Sweet and quiet, with fascinating collage-style illustrations and a happy ending. I'll be recommending this one to grandparents come the holidays.
Aug 18, 2011
babyhippoface
rated it:
Well, it's cute, and I enjoyed the artwork, especially the fact that Jonathan looked like an Ezra Jack Keats character. But I'm not in love with it. I guess need somebody who loves it to convince me.
