As a former school administrator and master teacher, people often approach me for advice regarding what's new on the educational "home front." They also ask me to let them know when something worth their attention comes on to the scene.
Toys Overboard, by new author and illustrator Chris Warnock, is just one of those finds. In the midst of what seems like a deluge of new children's literature, Toys Overboard stands out among the crowd.
The book is primarily geared to children under 12. There are a few things that make this book a standout. First of all, the book is written in a long verse rhyming that will recall the stories of many parents' childhoods. It is easy and fun to read. It is also a great story to listen to for very early readers who are acquiring English. Even though it is written in rhyme, the language is carefully constructed so the sentences make sense grammatically. And from an educator's perspective, that's important.
Second, the story is slightly longer than many children's books, making it easy to use as a bedtime book and a book that any younger child can easily grow into without getting bored. The vocabulary and structure encourage curiosity and engagement by any level elementary reader.
The author wrote this book to provide an exceptional story that focuses on recognizing geographical diversity, community and teamwork, and discovering an individual's self worth. It follows a small "rag tag" cadre of toys that find themselves tossed overboard during a storm at sea and washed ashore on a desert island. By working together, they are able to survive their adventures and ultimately reach their new home in America. The story is told from the perspective of one of the toys, Pedro, a Guatemalan worry doll who is unsure of what he can offer to the group but learns that everyone has unique and valuable talents.
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