Down to the Sea with Mr. Magee
Written and Illustrated by: Chris Van Dusen
Recommended for ages: 3-6
Chronicle Books: $8.95

The weather is warming up so it’s time to start thinking about boating and other summer adventures. In this quirky tale Mr. Magee and his little dog, Dee pack their lunch, hop in the Rambler and head out to the sea in their motor boat. As they are cruising along enjoying the view, they spy a huge pod of whales off in the distance with one straggler closer by. This young whale, too, was longing for adventure so he swims under Magee’s boat and bumps it ever so gently. When the boat is directly over the whale’s blow hole, he starts to blow and before they know it, Magee and Dee are stuck in a tree. Who will rescue them? The two characters remain calm as the other whales swim over and encircle the tree on the small island. Magee wonders how the whales will ever be able to get them out of this predicament. The rhyming text enables youngsters to finish sentences which builds confidence in their ability to read.

The gouache cartoons are bright and full of expression making this book one children will pick up on their own to engage in even if they can’t read yet. Van Dusen, a resident of Camden, Maine, has also written A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee, an equally sweet story for children this age.