From the Bookshelf of Mock Caldecott 2026…
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Group Discussions About This Book

By Kristen · 16 posts · 62 views
last updated Jan 24, 2025 06:04AM

By Kristen · 14 posts · 48 views
last updated Jan 16, 2025 05:40AM
What Members Thought

Nov 15, 2024
Beverly
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
pbf-vehicles,
pbf-mammals
So far, this is the book I like best from Jonker. It's a pleasant adventure with perfectly complementary illustrations in soft, muted colors by Matthew Cordell. On a few pages, the mouse is hiding, and children will have fun finding her in her hiding place.
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Sep 17, 2024
Mary
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
picture-book,
animal-fantasy
This story is told from a mouse's point of view. Mabel is a mouse who lives in a house with a man and a boy. The man has built a beautiful model ship that is on display in the front window. Mabel watched the man build the ship all by himself and the boy was not allowed to help. The boy and the mouse both dream of sailing on the ship. Mabel decides to take action and it leads to a very satisfying conclusion. This is a dreamy kind of story and the illustrations work well to show the ship's allure
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Thank you to Viking Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin Random House, for the arc.
Mabel, a small mouse, shares a cabin by a lake with a boy and his father, and the father's prized possession--a model ship. Mabel dreams of sailing the model ship, but the father doesn't even let his son touch the model. Catastrophe strikes, but the father learns to share the process of rebuilding the ship. Black ink with pens sun bleached watercolors. Lovely artwork accompanies the gently delivery of th ...more
Mabel, a small mouse, shares a cabin by a lake with a boy and his father, and the father's prized possession--a model ship. Mabel dreams of sailing the model ship, but the father doesn't even let his son touch the model. Catastrophe strikes, but the father learns to share the process of rebuilding the ship. Black ink with pens sun bleached watercolors. Lovely artwork accompanies the gently delivery of th ...more

There's something special about Travis Jonker's latest story about Mabel, a mouse who longs for adventure, a young boy and a man who builds a model ship. Who will sail the ship? What will happen when the ship is sailed? If you liked Matthew Cordell's illustrations in last year's (2023) Evergreen, you'll love this too. It's my current favorite for the 2025 Caldecott Award.
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Nov 06, 2024
Shari (Shira)
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
childrensbooks
Children always are annoyed when adults have fantastic toys and won't share. In this story, not only is the child annoyed, the pet mouse is annoyed too! Then one day, the fantastic toy falls into the hands of one of its admirers. I loved the ending. The "fantastic toy" is "old school." Some children might need some background knowledge building.
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Oh my goodness! What an adorable book about so much more than a model ship! Letting others help, going on an adventure, and beginning again. It is so sweet and lovely, and I could read it over and over again. I love the timelessness of the illustrations as well. It could take place today or 50 years ago. Brilliant work from this duo!

Matthew Cordell's illustrations are stunning and are the real storyteller in this delightful picture book. A father, son, and mouse all discover the power of love, imagination, and wonder through a wooden model boat. A definite Caldecott contender for this year!
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This is at least the 2nd time I've read this lovely book and considered the ship clock that it up in my children's library. Mathew Cordell's illustrations moved this up a star for me.
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It already feels like a classic.

A father's prize possession is a ship model he built. A mouse wonders if it would really sail. She can't resist finding out one night and is having such fun she forgets she has borrowed the boat until she hears the man yelling.
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A book by both Travis Jonker and Matthew Cordell is a bit of a dream come true for me. I adored the few wordless pages before the title page that offered a cute surprise of who other than the man and his child was enjoying this beautiful model ship. This story is of dreams, hopes, and curiosity and plays out perfectly. I believe this book is for all ages as it is simply precious.
I will certainly add this one to both of my elementary school collections!
I will certainly add this one to both of my elementary school collections!

Oct 14, 2024
Wendy Garland
marked it as to-read

Nov 20, 2024
Chrissy
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
picture-book,
starred-review-list-2024