Burt Dow, Deep-Water Man (Picture Puffins)

My introduction to Robert McCloskey came in his classic "Make Way for Ducklings." My two-year-old son was captivated by the illustrations and story and it became a regular request on his nightly bedtime reading list. He liked it so much, I hopped on Amazon and bought every book McCloskey had ever written or illustrated. Seriously. Although the recommended age range for this book is 4-8, when the big Amazon box of new books arrived, "Burt Dow" immediately caught my son's attention. He simply couldn't resist the colorful illustrations of Burt Dow and his boat, the "Tidely Idely." The first time we read it, certain pages scared him a little ("Turn the page, Daddy!) but when he realizes Burt would be okay, he couldn't stop asking questions about the story. Now three-and-a-half, he still requests "Burt Dow, Deep Water Man" every week or two. It's his favorite book and he quotes it often and even finishes many of my sentences when I read it to him. I couldn't give this book a higher recommendation. If your child is between two and eight and you are interested in other McCloskey books, consider "Blueberries for Sal," "Lentil," "One Morning in Maine," and of course, "Make Way for Ducklings." If your children are a little older, say four to eight (maybe a little older) they'll appreciate "Homer Price" and "Centerburg Tales." They might also like "Time of Wonder," a very nice piece of writing and illustration you'll enjoy whether you are a kid or just a kid at heart.

Love this book. So did our kids and grandkids. Sometimes a little wordy and chockful of Maine talk, so we will sometimes summarize the pictures for the younger ones.

Great story, wonderful illustrations, sweet! No super heroes, just an ordinary guy doing super things!

When Robert McCloskey took pen in hand to write Burt Dow he was at the top of his game and a gifted student of art and literature. His story of a Maine fisherman who goes out to sea in a leaky boat with an old one lung engine and catches a whale is the start. He puts a bandaid on the whales tail just before an oncoming storm at sea causes him to take refuge inside the grateful whale. Does that remind you of anything? Jonah? Androcles? Ahab? the African Queen? The story that delights children does appear to be a parody of the literature of the 40's and 50's when many rewritings of classic stories appeared. But that is not all. Oh No! That is not all. Take a look at the pictures in McCloskey's most colorful picture book. Who do you see? Winslow Homer? Jackson Pollock? Edward Hopped? Franz Marc? Writing as a children's librarian, I can think of few children's books with more intellectual adult entertainment.

Solid book with strong covers, neat and clean, only more fantastic than I expected from the author of One Morning in Maine! but that might be all to the good, because little kids might find it a bit scary to be swallowed by a whale. (What kind of whale? got a big throat.) But the wild wonderful salty language just shines. Great to read aloud. Auburn Granny did a good job getting it to me. Thx!!

Robert McCloskey is an incredible author. We are out to buy one of each of his books. Get one and you'll see why! This one in particular captivated my 6 year old son. He wants to hear the story over and over. The illustrations are likely part of the reason why. It's a fantastic book.

This was my favorite book, growing up. I bought it for a young boy of a friend of mine, hoping he enjoys it as much as I do. I read it again before gifting it and the words and pictures brought back so many fond memories. If you are looking for a book that will enthrall youngsters with a great story and wonderful colorful pictures, this is the book for you.

Robert McCloskey is one of the truly great young childrens' authors. My love affair with McCloskey books began when I was a child with MAKE WAY FOR DUCKLINGS, reading it over and over. Then again, as a first grade teacher in Boston, McCloskey's books became part of my literature curricum. BURT DOW, in particular, was a boys favorite. Although written over 50 years ago his books both in writing and illustration are timeless!