Review Detail

Alia is a young girl dealing with the loss of his grandfather as well as the loss of his stories. Drifting in loneliness and sadness, she’s struggling with the loss of all of his wonderful stories. THE BOOKSHIP is the story of her feelings and what happens when the fascinating Bookship arrives to whisk her away on a journey.

THE BOOKSHIP has a stunning illustration style. It feels very unique, each drawing and creature feeling as if pulled straight out of a child’s imagination. The images are gorgeous, managing to look like they’ve been colored by chalk or crayon. Several of the images are backed by dark backgrounds, illustrating both Alia’s emotional state as well as the world the Bookship takes her into.

The message of THE BOOKSHIP is a touching one. Alia is consumed by her grief, as she has every right to be, but the Bookship helps her realize that the stories and wonder aren’t lost just because her grandfather is. It encourages her to continue thinking, to open her heart and her mind. Stories are never truly lost, especially when you share them with others.

The writing style is fun and whimsical. The book uses a rhyming scheme to tell its story. It gives the story a rhythmic feeling, sounding more like a song or poem than just a regular story.

Exploring the power of stories and the magic that comes with sharing them, THE BOOKSHIP is a beautifully written and illustrated picture book. A heartwarming story about allowing stories to live on and sharing them with people.