I am a former language arts teacher who now works in a public library. I’m especially fond of children’s books about kayaking and canoeing, and I have quite the collection of them. While quarantined at home due to COVID-19 and daydreaming about being out on the water in my kayak, I decided to share some reviews of books that I have on my shelf. I highly recommend these three children’s books for their illustrations and creativity. These books can be found in some local libraries and online. Until next time, I wish you good health and joyful reading.

– Deb, Circulation Assistant

Yellow Kayak by Nina Laden is a gorgeous picture book. Stunning illustrations combined with poetic verse tell the tale of a child and his special friend who take an amazing adventure in a yellow kayak out on the sea. He learns the best part of an adventure is coming home with stories to share.

Can I Kayak, Daddy? by Joyce Duggan Autrey is a beginning chapter book. The story takes place in Alaska and tells the tale of a little girl who has Down Syndrome and who wants to kayak with her daddy. Though he is reluctant to take her as he feels she is too young and not ready, he demonstrates various skills while she stands on the shore and watches and sometimes sings. Eventually the day arrives when she is lowered into the cockpit with her daddy, and they happily paddle away from the shore. Included in this book is sheet music featuring the songs that she sings. 

Kayak Girl by Monica Devine is a picture book about a little girl who also lives in Alaska. The main character’s mother passes away, and she becomes so sad that she loses interest in everything. Her grandpa comes to visit to try and cheer he up, but his visit doesn’t help. Before he leaves to go back home, he carves a small wooden kayak for her which he takes back home with him. He releases the kayak into the water from his home and tells his granddaughter to look for it on the water at her home. For several days she waits at the water’s edge hoping to see the kayak which she names Kayak Girl because her grandpa also carved a wooden girl in the kayak’s cockpit. When the kayak is missing for several days, she worries that Kayak Girl is lost, lonely, and afraid. But then she recalls what her mother once told her to help her with these worries, and she starts to feel better. Finally, Kayak Girl washes up on the shore, and the girl is relieved and happy.  She paints Kayak Girl, and then she releases her back into the water symbolizing the relief that she feels from her sadness.