The little wooden boat has been left behind in the sand dunes.
Odd things pass it by, tumbling and floating into the ocean – a chip packet, a takeaway cup and a plastic bag.
The little wooden boat wonders and worries …
Is it a forgotten thing? Is it just rubbish now? Will it ever find a home again?
A powerful and timely tale of the small steps we can take to care for our world.
Annie Grossman, Annie’s Books on Peregian –
This is a gentle story with a powerful message – we all have ability to help and to protect our oceans and its creatures with very minimal effort. As a little wooden boat bobs amongst the plastic bags and throw-away cups, he muses on what litter actually is, and the damage it can do. The colourful illustrations and added information about rubbish and recycling make this a very enjoyable and valuable addition to any child’s bookshelf.
Christine Sharp, Runner-Up 2018 Teacher Librarian of the Year, QLD –
This beautiful story captures the wonderings of a small abandoned toy boat as it lies by the seaside.
Other items lying on the beach turn out to be litter, rubbish or waste and our little toy boat begins to worry that this is him as well.
The ending provides both a solution and a sense of hope for the future.
This important environmental message is delivered with perfect words and wonderful illustrations and is a delight to read.
Lyn Rees, Knowledge Services Administrator, St Andrew’s Anglican College –
A delightful and engaging story of environmental awareness. It will encourage all readers to think about the small steps they can take to care for our world. Perfect for little people everywhere.
Vanessa McKellar – Head of Department Library Service, Glasshouse Christian College –
A beautifully written and illustrated book, highlighting to children the importance of valuing items and how they should discard waste, encouraging them to protect and appreciate the natural world. The journey of the little boat provides a fascinating view for readers and to see it come full circle and have a new owner restore it will captivate readers, young and old alike.
Aleesah Darlison Award-Winning Children’s Author, Sunshine Coast Council Australia Day Award Recipient, Australia Reads Ambassador –
I Wonder is a sensitive, thought-provoking look at how we can better take care of our belongings and the world around us. Paterson’s lively, rhythmic text never misses a beat, it’s evocative and emotive yet precise and is perfect for reading aloud. The main character is a little wooden boat who was once loved, then forgotten. As other discarded items tumble by the boat, the lonely toy questions its own worth and the value of the things that have now become unwanted.
Through the little wooden boat, young readers can question our approach to waste as a society. The educational elements and usages of the book are manifold and will allow children, adults, teachers, and librarians to discuss the concept of waste and the benefit of recycling and reusing. The final line in the book is a question, a call to action to readers which entices them to think about what they can do to keep their world clean.
Bevington’s talent as an illustrator shines through. Her colourful illustrations are a delightful accompaniment to the text as she skilfully anthropomorphises various inanimate objects in appealing ways. With a mix of single and double page illustrations interspersed with montages, the illustrations help maintain action and pace within the narrative.
I Wonder should be on the must-read list for 4-8 year olds this year and it’s certain to create loads of discussion after reading. Highly recommended.
Barbara Braxton – The Bottom Shelf –
Stories like this with illustrations that cleverly bring even a potato chip packet to life and which have extra details which enrich and enhance the text (check out the fishing line around the seagull’s leg), are a powerful way to deliver important messages to our youngest readers so they can start their good habits early, learn that small things can lead to bigger things (positive or negative) within the realms of enjoyable entertainment.
Kay Dance –
Such a great book, kids need to keep wondering, exploring and staying curious. The environment is a beautiful thing and I am glad to help our children grow to appreciate it
SFX Library –
It is sad when children start to lose their natural wondering why. So thrilled to have a book that will encourage them to keep asking and finding solutions – love the illustrations too 💖
Steve Tyrrell –
What a brilliant concept to teach kids about environmental issues. Love the surreal illustrations. Well done.
The Theme Park Foodies –
This book is so important in times like these!!! Kudos to all involved.
Here, There and Everywhere Travel –
Great book to teach kids the importance of caring for our planet.
Abbey Lane –
We all need to read this. I would love to share this story with the kids at the local primary school. Abbey
Shumi Reen –
This is a wonderful book. Love it. Keep up the good work.
Elizabeth Mary Cummings Author, Poet –
There is the feature of a story with a purpose, giving the reader a new perspective to daily life, then there is the theme of time, a common motif in Paterson’s works, though hardly surprising considering her love of history. Moreover there is the focus on creating a new perspective for a familiar setting, a favourite technique Allison uses whether it be stories about annual remembrance days or memories of a familiar childhood experiences, or even like in I Wonder, to days spent on the beach. All in all, this book is a beautifully presented cautionary tale from an expert communicator and passionate writer. Allison’s publisher; Big Sky Publishing, is known for taking on a theme to build a series and this theme of caring for the world is one of their latest and a most important one at that. I Wonder as a perfect fit is Big Sky’s Caring For Our World series and this innovative publisher has done well to recognise this; thus making their own stance for environmental protection through the knowledge and understanding that are gently exposed in this series.
Norah Colvin – Readilearn –
I think this is another lovely book to add to the collection of those that inspire children to wonder about and protect our world. It is through the ability to wonder that appreciation of and care for our planet develops.
Vanessa Ryan- Rendall Educate. Empower –
This book is told so gently that the reader will not feel like they are being told what to do but rather encouraged to act in small ways that they can. It is empowering & informative and a perfect book to start on a journey to care more for the world.
The final two pages offer Did you know? and some ideas on the small steps you can take which are great ways to finish off reading the story.
Highly recommended for schools looking to make a journey into less rubbish in lunchboxes and the playground and for homes who want to encourage less plastic in their daily lives.
Russ Merrin – Magpies Magazine –
This thought-provoking, gentle tale introduces the environmental ‘Reduce, re-use, recycle’ message to very young readers, while adding a fourth ‘r’. Repair. Significantly, the small wooden sail boat remains rubbish until a human intervenes and imagines a better, more useful future for the small toy.
Two back pages briefly explain about the importance of protecting our environment, including simple steps we can all take to protect our natural world.
I Wonder would be a timely read-aloud for P – 3 students, providing a useful discussion starter for researching waste, litter, rubbish and how recycling can be practised in their classrooms and in their homes.
Paula Stevenson –
This delightful picture book has a serious message. It explores the theme of the pollution of our oceans and clearly explains to kids what simple steps they can take to protect the land and sea.
This picture book provides a new perspective on recycling efforts and relates to the everyday experience of many children as they play on our beautiful beaches in Australia.
Sarah – Ragmuffin Books –
I Wonder is a thoughtful book about a little boat that got left behind. It has themes of environmentalism and shows how every action and step can contribute to something special.
The story begins when a little boy takes his boat to the beach. The boat has the best time but then the worst possible thing happens… he gets left behind. He hopes the boy comes back, but when he doesn’t return, the boat stays on the beach for a long time. He waits and waits and waits… and meets some friends along the way, but soon the boat is falling apart. Then a new family finds him, but will they be able to use it?
I Wonder is a lovely book, although it is quite emotional. The story really pulls you in and hits home. I felt sorry for the little boat, as did my toddler, and we turned the pages eagerly hoping he would find a family or a new home. The environmental theme is well done and proves the lesson on making sure you take your rubbish home from the beach, as well as showing that just because something is a bit broken or old, doesn’t mean it is rubbish. Although it was a little sad, I found it hopeful, and enjoyable.
The illustrations are lovely and I liked the personification of the boat and the rubbish on the beach, and think it enhanced the story’s emotional connection.
Romi Sharp – Just Write for Kids –
This imaginative nature book, as a part of Big Sky Publishing’s Caring For Our World initiative, is brimming with life (old and new), care, kindness, resourcefulness, sustainability, and wonder. A refreshing, playful and powerful story that will sweep its readers along on a salient journey of self- and worldly-reflection.
Penny Macoun – Author & editor –
A delightful picture book for young readers to assist with educating them about waste management and how to look after their toys. This picture book is written for 4 to 8 year olds.