Love the illustrations in this. Love the questions for the reader...did Arthur really dream all those details? Or are they being added as he greats his family? Is the boat really on his head? The small white boat on his head when he wakes up turns pink-and-green when he sees his dog, in a green collar, yawn with his pink tongue sticking out. The striped mast is added when he comes across his brother's lamp... There are all sorts of other fishy things to notice too--the tentacle in his brother's audio equipment, the starfish on the curtains, the lobster in the slipper. The tide comes in, the family floats adrift, the boat carries everyone into the sunset...well, I'm not sure what it's all supposed to mean, but it's a good guess we'd all notice more cool things in life if we just paid closer attention. Polly Dunbar's illustrations are top notch. The story is a cummulitive story about bringing to life something from a dream. Arthur dreams about a boat. In the morning when he tries to describe his "amazing" boat to his family, he is largely ignored. As he adds details the boat it comes to life upon his head until his larger than life dream becomes a floating family adventure.(Review based on UK Edition)
What do You think about Arthur's Dream Boat (2012)?
Really liked this one. It's perfect for Summer Reading 2012.
—Chelizachoi
A boy trying to tell his family about his amazing dream.
—jon
