A Treasure of a Tale!

It’s not out yet, but as a trusted reader for Flashlight Press, I had the great honor of reading Set Sail for School early...and please, allow me to GUSH!

In this delightful story, author Daryl-Lynne Gottier turns rhyme on its head and expectation to giggles with each turn of the page. Think you know what’s coming up next? Think again!

Illustrator Gal Weizman’s colorful images not only tell another part of the story, they contain multitudes of joyful little extras, like the darling pirate-y details (that fish light in Jack's room! And the pirate hat and eye patch on the pet fish!) The presence of the striped cat begs readers to believe that's Tiger, which is a perfect nod to the 'anti-rhyme' theme of the text itself. That said, there are clues (the empty birdcage) which will delight young and old.

The constant presence of the crab is one of my favorite parts and I love how he often mimics Jack's behavior. I found myself looking for him in every illustration.

The attention to detail and consistency is amazing. I love how each character exudes personality, from Jack to his family to all of the school mateys. The children are diverse, not only in color and gender, but also in their individual natures, from boisterous to studious, to needing that support stuffie. Finally, I love how although they're pirates, there isn't a bully among them.

This book is a true treasure – highly recommend! Available for preorder here.