Story Boat: 02/18/20

Story Boat by Kyo Maclear and Rashin Kheiriyeh is dedicated to the Syrian refugees.

To all innocent Syrian refugee children who have experienced horrible war and injustice at a young age. Each has their own story, and they sail with their story boats like messengers of hope and peace.

The text though, doesn't limit itself to Syrian refugees. Instead the children and adults traveling across the land and sea are left unnamed allowing any displaced child the chance to see themselves.

The main characters appear to be a sister and brother. The sister is recording their journey through her drawings. She reimagines the things in her life as parts of a boat. The boat is a stand in for both the journey and for her hope for a better life, a new home.

The book ends with an actual boat journey and the landing during a snow storm. They are greeted by a man carrying an umbrella, rushing to offer it to the refugees as they disembark their inflated boat, a woman carrying blankets, a red haired girl, and a dog.

Throughout Kheiriyeh uses a complimentary pallet of blue and orange, with details done in black and white. It's a soothing choice of colors. They help present a heart-wrenching human experience in a gentle and approachable manner.

Five stars

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