Ahoy by Sophie Blackall (review)

Reviewed by: Ahoy by Sophie Blackall Adam McConville Blackall, Sophie Ahoy!; written and illus. by Sophie Blackall. Schwartz, 2024 48p Trade ed. ISBN 9780593429396 19. 99 E-book ed. ISBN 9780593429419 10. 99 Reviewed from digital galleys R* 4-8 yrs As a beanie-wearing adult begins to vacuum the living room, their captain's-hatted kiddo is preparing to set sail, shouting warnings of an oncoming storm as they assemble a ship of chairs, brooms, and paper towels. Despite the adult's gentle protestations about needing to work, the call of the imaginary sea is too strong, and soon the wavy teal weave of the living room rug transforms into a wide expanse of ocean, ready for the duo to explore. After the two set sail, spouting off ship parts and cresting waves must suddenly pause when the first mate's phone rings ("Sorry, Peanut, I've got to take this"). Dejected, the captain lays face-down on the rug ("WE ARE IN THE DOLDRUMS"), and only after the call's complete does the adult realize they've sunk the mood; fortunately, an attack from a vacuum-turned-giant-squid gets things back on track. Blackall's take on imaginative play is superb, as both the narrative and visuals of this picture book thematically carry readers up and down like a rolling sea. Full-page spreads show timelapses of the ship's dramatic encounters with a storm and a whale before the boat runs aground in shark-infested waters and the crew must call for aid. Procreate gouache and watercolors create the adult and child's rounded forms, with distinct colors and patterns in their outfits making them easy to spot in the salmon-toned living room or the vast green sea. Fine, pencil-like lines and hand-lettered serif dialogue enhance an old-fashioned sense of adventure, aided by frequent circular vignettes that evoke a telescope lens. The dramatic pacing and enthusiastic exhortations will keep viewers hooked through a collaborative readaloud, and a glossary of sailing terms on the copyright page will be a handy translator for those new to nautical nonsense. With an ending that sees the travelers' safe return and subsequent launch of a new voyage, this book salutes the continuous ebb and flow of playtime. Copyright © 2024 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois