Written and Illustrated By: Brian Floca Atheneum/Richard Jackson Books; January 2007
Synopsis (From Publisher):
Once, lightships anchored on waters across America, on the oceans and in the Great Lakes, floating where lighthouses could not be built. Smaller than most ships, but more steadfast, too, they held their spots, through calm and storm, to guide sailors toward safe waters.
In these pages one lightship and her crew (and cat) again hold their place. The crew goes again from bow to stern, from keel to mast, to run their engines, shine their lights, and sound their horns.
They run the small ship that guides the large ships. They are the crew (and cat) that work to make the ocean safe, that hold their place, so other ships can sail
CWR Review:
I knew nothing of lightships before reading this book. As it is with many of Brain Flocaβs books, I closed the book with a good understanding of the topic in general and an inkling to know even more. I was pleasantly surprised by this bit of American history. It is more meaningful to me now that I live near the icy shores of Lake Superior and have somewhat of a daily experience of observing life on and near the lake. In non-winter months vessels of all kinds, for different reasons, make their way across Superiorβs icy vastness. I enjoy the views of lighthouses atop rocky clefts and seeing the waves crashing against the immovable cliffs. But I never considered, what would have to be done if a lighthouse just could not be built, what could be provided for crews braving the frigid waters? Though no longer in operation, lightships were immensely important in helping crews find safe passage. Who manned the ships? And what were their lives like? This book gives the introduction to a whole new area of learning for you and your family. I would say this is gateway to a ship-learning adventure, a bit of history every American should know about.
Captivating, eye-opening, informative, get yours here or here.
Themes- American history, Naval history, Ships
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