The Friend Ship

by Kat Yeh, Chuck Groenink (Illustrator)

Overview

A fresh and heartwarming read-aloud favorite about friendship, adventure, and appreciating what you have.

When Little Hedgehog hears about a mysterious Friend Ship that can help her no longer feel lonely, she sets off on a quest to find it.

Hedgehog imagines a ship filled with friends of all kinds! How lovely!
 
She braves the open seas in a boat of her own to track the ship down, and along her journey, she meets other lonely animals eager to find the Friend Ship as well. They search north. They search south. They search east.
 
Hedgehog and her new friends can't find the Ship anywhere! Until she realizes she knows just where the Friend Ship is. . .

This comforting tale by Kat Yeh, with charming illustrations by Chuck Groenink, proves that sometimes, what you're searching for is right in front of you.

 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781484707265
Publisher:	Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication date:	12/06/2016
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	609,091
Product dimensions:	8.70(w) x 10.30(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	3 - 5 Years

About the Author

Kat Yeh grew up reading, doodling, and scribbling in Westtown, Pennsylvania. She worked for many years in advertising and sports marketing while writing children’s books into the wee hours of the night. She is the author of other picture books and middle grade novels, including The Truth About Twinkie Pie. Visit Kat on Twitter @yehface.

Chuck Groenink is an illustrator from the Netherlands, where he graduated from the Department of Illustration at the Artez Institute of Visual Arts. Chuck now lives with his wife and two cats in New York. He is the illustrator of Santa Clauses by Bob Raczka and The Backwards Birthday Party by Tom Chapin and John Forster, as well as two other picture books published in Europe. See more of his work online at chuckgroenink.com.

Editorial Reviews

10/03/2016
As Hedgehog lies in a “lonely little nook of a lonely little tree,” she hears someone say, “Friendship is out there—all she has to do is look.” She thinks friendship is a real ship—Groenink (Rufus the Writer) supplies a sepia-toned diagram of its masts and sails—and sets off in her own ship to find it. Everywhere Hedgehog lands, she asks animals if they’ve seen the Friend Ship. They always say no but eagerly board her ship to join in the search. Children will readily realize that Hedgehog’s ship is the Friend Ship, but the animals keep searching. Eventually, Yeh (The Truth About Twinkie Pie) assures readers, they’ll find what they are looking for, “Yes, yes, yes, yes-yessity-yes.” Groenink’s animals radiate sweetness, but it’s the aura of his vignettes and spreads that draws the eye. Warm sunsets glow like polished wood, and starlight gleams from skies of Prussian blue. The depth and quality of the light gives the spreads a hint of the sacred—just right for this hymn to friendship. Ages 3–5. Author’s agent: Sarah Davies, Greenhouse Literary. Illustrator’s agent: Stephen Barr, Writers House. (Dec.)

Publishers Weekly

01/01/2017
PreS-Gr 2—Hedgehog overhears some woodland animals who are concerned that he looks lonely and is in need of some friendship. Thinking this is actually a ship, he goes searching in his own vessel to find it. Every time he encounters new animals, he asks if they have seen the "friend ship." No one has, but they want to tag along. Hedgehog gathers new companions on each page as he journeys along. This is a lovely tale about not realizing that the thing you long for is right in front of you. The illustrations are endearing, with muted hues and expressive faces. This title also makes for a fun play on words. The moral of the story and the sweet nature of the narrative make this a standout among books about friendship. VERDICT A strong read-aloud choice for back to school, Valentine's Day, or anytime.—Kris Hickey, Columbus Metropolitan Library, OH

School Library Journal

2016-10-11
All the animals are welcome to come aboard.Hedgehog seems very lonely, "curled up in a prickly little ball in a lonely little nook of a lonely little tree." When she overhears a sympathetic conversation about friendship "out there," she perks up, picturing a beautiful "Friend Ship." Hedgehog sets sail with a curious beaver in a small boat to find it. Before long, the duo spots a herd of migrating deer on the shore. Hedgehog asks if they've seen the Friend Ship; all reply that they could use a friend and hop aboard. Next, the company spies a rat, who asks to join them. They sail in multiple directions to no avail. Hedgehog begins to lose hope, but her companions convince her to persist. She spots a small island, its only resident an elephant. Hedgehog swims the distance and asks the elephant about the Friend Ship. The elephant points at Hedgehog's small boat full of animals and asks, "Isn't that it—right over there?" It's a lightning-bolt moment. Hedgehog invites the elephant aboard, and they sail west, celebrating all the while…into the sunset together. Yeh makes effective use of dialogue and repetition, investing her characters with personality with just a few lines. Groenink employs sunny, warm hues that increase in saturation as the boat fills and Hedgehog becomes surrounded by friends. A sweet, simple story with a nicely offbeat heroine. (Picture book. 3-6)

Kirkus Reviews

[A] standout among books about friendship.”—School Library Journal

“This heartwarming tale by Kat Yeh, with charming illustrations by Chuck Groenink, proves that sometimes, what you’re searching for is right in front of you.”

—The Children's Book Council

“Groenink’s animals radiate sweetness ... The depth and quality of the light gives the spreads a hint of the sacred—just right for this hymn to friendship.”—Publishers Weekly

“Yeh makes effective use of dialogue and repetition, investing her characters with personality with just a few lines. Groenink employs sunny, warm hues that increase in saturation as the boat fills and Hedgehog becomes surrounded by friends. A sweet, simple story with a nicely offbeat heroine.”—Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher