Someday - Hardcover

An animal story sparked with sly incongruities that give it a mellow humor. ``I like the beach,'' says Gull, rolling up his pants to wade, and he buys a boat--from a crow. Price: five clams, which Gull doesn't have, but after negotiation--and beachcombing--Crow settles for three, plus a shell and a pebble. More animals join Gull for his first outing; but the boat (``Someday'') hasn't been launched, so there's new bargaining with Crow, who tells them how to get it into the water. Next, they're lost at sea, and then the lunch is missing--each mishap calls for exchanges of help, clams, and banter, all resulting in natural, entertaining repetitions of key words in classic easy- reader style. Paterson's wide-eyed, cartoon-style animal characters are lively and appealing; the text is imposed on inviting watercolor backgrounds. Fun for all concerned. (Easy reader. 4-8) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Grade 1-3-- Someday Gull would like a boat, and someday he would like to sail. "Friday, Saturday . . . today is someday!" he decides, and purchases a red sailboat for three clams, a seashell, and a beach pebble. When his friends, novice sailors to say the least, ask to come along on an outing, the stage is set for mild-mannered comic adventures. The strength of this easy reader lies in the naive enthusiasm of its landlubberly characters. Paterson's watercolor illustrations capture well the blue-green swell of the sea, sunset-tinted clouds, and the comical idiosyncrasies of Gull and his friends. --Anna DeWind, Milwaukee Public Library
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.