Lamarche, J. (200). The raft. New York: HarperCollins Publishers.

Genre: Fiction

Ages: 4- 9 years old

The Raft is a pleasant story about a young boy Nicky’s summer spent with his grandmother – the “river rat.” What initially appears to be an uneventful summer spent with her turns into an endless adventure spent exploring wildlife and animals on a drifting, abandoned raft in the riverbanks. Unexpectedly, the raft becomes more than just an aquatic activity for Nicky. He comes to appreciate the unique elements of nature while building  a bond with his grandmother he never dreamed of.  The raft sparks his curiosity for the unknown and ignites his natural talent as an artist. This story offers passive illustrations of surreal summer days with friendly animals, tranquil waters, and alluring panoramas. The illustrations capture the warm sundry shades of summertime while engaging the reader with detailed background images and varied landscapes. The text offers insight into life in the outdoors and encourages children to be avid explorers of their own surroundings. Overall, kids will love the adventurous personality of Nicky and will relate to his imaginative spirit. This story will surely become a favorite among young readers seeking a quality adventure tale with a fascinating plot.

Author/Illustrator: Jim LaMarche

Jim LaMarche wrote the story of The Raft based on his real experiences as a young boy spending summers with his grandmother in her lakeside cabin. He credits his inspiration for drawing to her as she encouraged and explained to him “that the value in drawing is in gaining an intimate knowledge of objects.” The Raft is one of his best-selling books and has earned him the Irma S. and James H. Black Award for Excellence in Picture Books. He is a fan of the fantasy world and often writes books based on magical elements.

In His Own Words …

“I’ve always like to mix the ‘magical’ world with what we see everyday. I think magic – a certain kind of magic – can happen anyplace, anytime. If fantastic events are only set in fantastical worlds, [it] just doesn’t seem like much.  But if it happens in the real, regular world, to a real boy, in a real place like your own … “

- Jim LaMarche

Sources:

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