Boat lovers here is a book for you!!!!!

1947 Caldecott Honor: The Boats on the River

Story by Marjorie Flack                  Pictures by Jay Hyde Barnum

When searching for biography information on Jay Hyde Barnum I was very limited.  Here is the small amount of information I have been able to locate.

Born 1888  Died 1962

Lived in Connecticut

Marjorie Flack is Mr. Barnum’s Mother.  Note: this is the author of the book.  So this is a mother son team!

Book Summary

Taken from the book jacket.  “…a busy river flows through a great city, carrying boats on their daily journeys.  There are little boats and big boats, ferryboats, tugboats, a riverboat , an ocean liner, and many more.  Vividly evoking New York City and the Hudson River in the 1940’s, Boats on the River offers a nostalgic look at a bygone era, as well as being an ideal gift for any child who loves boats.”

Illustrations
the book jacket states that Mr. Barnum used watercolors.  When I was researching the book I found that Mr. Barnum was found of a particular type of watercolor style, Gouache.  So what is Gouache? 

Gouache differs from watercolor in that the particles are larger, the ratio of pigment to water is much higher, and an additional, inert, white pigment such as chalk is also present. This makes gouache heavier and more opaque, with greater reflective qualities.  (From Wikipedia)

Gouache generally dries to a different value than it appears when wet (lighter tones generally dry darker, while darker tones tend to dry lighter), which can make it difficult to match colors over multiple painting sessions. This, combined with its quick coverage and total hiding power, mean that gouache lends itself to more immediate techniques than watercolor. (From Wikipedia)

Okay now that we have educated ourselves on Gouache painting, let’s look at the illustrations in the book.  I am glad that I have taken the time to learn something new about watercolors.  Why?  The first time I read that the illustrations were watercolors I thought, but they are so dark?  How can you do watercolors and create bold images?  Now I know.  I am impressed by the details that are in the art work.  The fact that you can see words and windows, must be the use of a pencil.  (Yup I am feeling so smart now that I know a few things.  J )

The art work winds it’s ways around the text, just like a real life river winding thru a large city!  What a great connection! 

Final Thoughts:

1. Would this be a book I would pick up again? To teach about Rivers Perhaps, of if I have a boat fan!

2. Would I recommend it to others to search out and take a look at? Boats and rivers your thing?  Then Yes!

3. Would I spend my hard earned money on the book? Not sure
4. Where did I get the book? Pierce County Library, WA