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Goat on a Boat
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 29, 2021
Best children’s book I’ve read with my kids so far this year. Great messages about sharing and accepting others who are different (featuring an immigrant goat who arrives on an island full of sheep). Bighorn Bill is shown to be a real stubborn old ram who’s stuck in his ways and ends up living an unnecessarily hard solo existence, whereas Fleecy Jean and the other sheep who accept the goat and are willing to learn from him have a great time with all the grass and flowers that they could want.
September 23, 2020
'Goat on a Boat' delights all generations with a beautifully imagined (and realised) simple message of sharing across an entertaining encounter between sheep and the said goat. Upon release this was a timely tale; but even more so given our Covid 19 world. Thank you Nick and Suzanne, your “warm welcome goes a long way.”
September 10, 2019
a fable for our times! great rhyme and rhythm. 4+ 🌟
January 9, 2020
excellent explanation of value of acceptance and overcoming fear of the unknown
May 12, 2020
An absolute must read - a wonderful book for children.
September 13, 2020
Fantastic kids book! It’s clever and funny with an important multi-level message. Excellent for the primary school library as it links in well with harmony day and other key topics.
August 5, 2019
This is a fun rhyming romp across a deserted volcanic island that reminds me a lot of places in the Aegean but from the end pages and name (Joxx) feel that it's of a more Hebridean nature. A flock of dismal looking sheep eke out a meager existence among the lower marshes and barren rock faces of Joxx. The grass, what little there is of it there, is thin and unappetising. Life is rudimentary at best.
One day they spy a boat which brings to shore a stranger; a goat of all things. He's different and if the sheep's leader, Bighorn Bill can be believed, must not be allowed to infiltrate their home. Who knows how much he'll eat or who else he might invite to come ashore. Better to stand firm, lock him up, bite him into submission if necessary bellows Bill. But among the motley crew, a young, dark-wooled ewe speaks up, imploring the the others to give him a chance. Bill finds it hard to extinguish his prejudices and pre-conceived fear-induced beliefs and while he bleats and bemoans, the goat does something no one else has ever attempted before. He climbs to the top of the volcano. Fleecy Jean (the forward-thinking ewe) follows and, as sheep are wont to do, so too do the rest of the flock much to Bill's chagrin. What they discover on the summit blows their mind, as it might yours.
Dent and Houghton have created a comical yet deeply satisfying analogical tale that alludes to the plight of refugees and the prospects of acceptance and assimilation. Using animals in an anthropomorphic way to portray the notions of fear and overcoming prejudices is a refreshing take on this subject matter and made the whole reading experience less didactic and enjoyable for me. A jolly platform to leap into more meaningful discussions on tolerance and giving peace a chance.
One day they spy a boat which brings to shore a stranger; a goat of all things. He's different and if the sheep's leader, Bighorn Bill can be believed, must not be allowed to infiltrate their home. Who knows how much he'll eat or who else he might invite to come ashore. Better to stand firm, lock him up, bite him into submission if necessary bellows Bill. But among the motley crew, a young, dark-wooled ewe speaks up, imploring the the others to give him a chance. Bill finds it hard to extinguish his prejudices and pre-conceived fear-induced beliefs and while he bleats and bemoans, the goat does something no one else has ever attempted before. He climbs to the top of the volcano. Fleecy Jean (the forward-thinking ewe) follows and, as sheep are wont to do, so too do the rest of the flock much to Bill's chagrin. What they discover on the summit blows their mind, as it might yours.
Dent and Houghton have created a comical yet deeply satisfying analogical tale that alludes to the plight of refugees and the prospects of acceptance and assimilation. Using animals in an anthropomorphic way to portray the notions of fear and overcoming prejudices is a refreshing take on this subject matter and made the whole reading experience less didactic and enjoyable for me. A jolly platform to leap into more meaningful discussions on tolerance and giving peace a chance.
June 6, 2021
This book is incredible!!!
The sheep on the island of joxx were worried if they didn’t have enough food, they’d be stuck eating rocks. And then on the horizon they spotted a boat, and inside that vessel there was also a goat!!
Nick made a Dent on our family of readers and this book may arguably be the GOAT of children’s fiction. Highly recommend.
The sheep on the island of joxx were worried if they didn’t have enough food, they’d be stuck eating rocks. And then on the horizon they spotted a boat, and inside that vessel there was also a goat!!
Nick made a Dent on our family of readers and this book may arguably be the GOAT of children’s fiction. Highly recommend.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 9, 2023
This was read to Rosie frequently when she was in the womb, and tonight her father read it to her at 3 months of age.
This book is wonderful. When I was a bookseller I recommended this to many customers. It has a very clear message: there are people who are different from you, and that can be a very wonderful thing! Either move on with the times or get left behind like Bighorn Bill. 🐑
This book is wonderful. When I was a bookseller I recommended this to many customers. It has a very clear message: there are people who are different from you, and that can be a very wonderful thing! Either move on with the times or get left behind like Bighorn Bill. 🐑
April 8, 2020
There were places the rhythm of the rhyme didn't work and the "stop the goats" is preachy as all adults will understand the politcal connotations.
Not a bad story, but it could have done without the political undertones.
Not a bad story, but it could have done without the political undertones.
July 14, 2021
A great book. Highly recommend. Encourages diversity and the importance of this.
July 30, 2023
4.5. What a wonderful book, adroitly executed. It’s engaging and fun, with some brilliant witticisms thrown in for adults. A much needed staple for Australian kids growing up in the Murdoch media era which may even also remind any adults who have forgotten along the way that seeking asylum is a human right and no person is illegal.
The only small note I would make is that beyond the story itself-despite the fact that they very often do contribute to our society-people seeking asylum do not owe us anything to be given basic human rights. But what an incredible starting point this books gives to fostering and having these discussions.
The only small note I would make is that beyond the story itself-despite the fact that they very often do contribute to our society-people seeking asylum do not owe us anything to be given basic human rights. But what an incredible starting point this books gives to fostering and having these discussions.
April 10, 2022
It teaches sharing and rhymes. Some of the words might be too advanced for toddlers.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews