Review by Booklist Review
In a small cabin beside a lake, a man and boy live (unbeknownst to them) with a little mouse named Mabel. Every evening after dark, she comes out and gazes at the man's most prized possession: a model ship that he meticulously made. She imagines herself sailing the ship as its captain, navigating by the stars. One night, she manages to move it outdoors and into the water. At the helm, she feels free and wonderful. In the morning, the man and the boy laugh to see her sailing the ship--until it hits a rock. They rush to rescue Mabel and the damaged vessel, which they all repair together. A bit tense (but not scary), the well-worded narrative will appeal to kids who yearn for adventure but shy away from actual danger. Reflecting the story's quiet tone, Cordell's beguiling shaded-pencil drawings aptly portray the courageous mouse, the boy, and the man who built the beautifully crafted, seaworthy miniature ship. An enjoyable picture book and a memorable read-aloud choice.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In this work that follows a small ship and the beings who orbit it, Jonker (Just One Flake) introduces a man and a boy, both portrayed with light brown skin, who live in a lakefront cabin. A mouse named Mabel lives there, too. The man's eyes are hidden by the lenses of his glasses, suggesting emotional distance, and he has for several months been working on an intricate model ship, "carefully perfecting every last detail. He wouldn't even let the boy help." The handsome vessel is just the right size for a mouse to sail, and Mabel is transfixed, longing to "be the brave captain." The boy has a similar fantasy, but it's Mabel who makes the first move one stormy night. Caldecott Medalist Cordell draws the gripping scenes that follow in sun-bleached blues and dense, delicate hatching that recalls old engravings. Mabel's efforts bring triumph, a setback, and warm resolution as her exploits draw the three protagonists together. It's gratifying to look on as the audacity of the story's smallest, most vulnerable character breaks through the defenses of an intimidating adult. Ages 3--7. Author's agent: Stephen Barbara, InkWell Management. Illustrator's agent: Rosemary Stimola, Stimola Literary. (Aug.)
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Review by Horn Book Review
A mouse with nautical aspirations realizes her dream. Wee Mabel gazes with longing at the cunning model ship fashioned by the man who lives in the lakeside cabin where she makes her home. It is the man's "prized possession," the product of many months of painstaking labor; he is so possessive that he won't even let the boy who lives with him touch it. Then one blustery night the cabin door is blown open and Mabel gets her chance. Using a mouse-sized block and tackle and some tiny logs as rollers, she lowers the boat and pushes it into the water to sail it all night long. When the man panics at the ship's loss but then sees it under sail with Mabel at the helm, man, boy, and mouse are united in awe and glee. Jonker taps into many children's delight in miniatures; they will thrill along with Mabel at her adventure. Cordell's scratchy ink and wash illustrations have a faded look, their sepias and pale blues giving the tale an old-timey feel that a gooseneck desk lamp only slightly diminishes. Mabel and the boy each wear a knitted watch cap, hers a pale red and his blue; when he lifts her in his hand at the end of the story, they smile at each other, fast friends. The illustrations mix full-bleed spreads with vignettes; the latter are framed in knotted rope. Sweet wish fulfillment. Vicky SmithJuly/August 2024 p.102 (c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A simple ship yields a (relatively) big adventure in this classically told tale. In a little cabin on a little lake, there lives a mouse named Mabel, a boy, and a man. The man constructs a very special model ship. "He wouldn't even let the boy help." Every night when she looks at it, Mabel wonders if the ship is seaworthy. She lets herself dream of piloting it through seas both rough and calm, "free and full of wonder." When an opportunity presents itself, Mabel hesitates but reasons that the chance may never come again. Readers will be relieved to find that the ship does indeed float, but when the ship meets with tragedy, both Mabel and the man will need to find a solution. Jonker cleverly juxtaposes the mouse's character arc alongside that of the grown man. Whereas Mabel must summon the courage to live her dreams, the man must overcome his fear of letting other people help him with his own. Cordell, meanwhile, outlines panels with rope, then fills his images to the brim with a busy cross-hatching technique that gives the book a timeless feel. Both boy and man in the book have light-brown skin. Arrr, 'tis a seaworthy tale, so set your compass toward fulfilling your dreams, and she'll not steer you wrong. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
