Old MacDonald Had a Boat

February 15, 2018
The MacDonalds and their farm-animal crew return in a rollicking new adventure to transform an old fishing boat into a slick speedboat.Goetz and Kaban again use the same format of their debut picture book, Old MacDonald Had a Truck (2016), to hilarious effect. Another day at the MacDonalds' place begins placidly enough, but this time the souped-up truck from the first book hauls a well-worn boat to the barn, and the action gets underway. A buzz saw, hammer, blow torch and sander provide the sounds for kids to holler along with: "with a BUZZ BUZZ here and a BUZZ BUZZ there." The animals, dressed in kids' clothes, are busy with a variety of tools as the story builds to a climax. By the end of the day, everyone is cheering as they tow one another on water skis. Illustrations are deceptively simple. Large, colorful spreads provide lots to look at, inviting readers to slow the song down, building suspense. Expressions on animals' faces hint at their friendships and concern for one another. A pair of lovebirds oversees the day's events, echoing the relationship that the not-so-old MacDonalds (depicted as a white-haired, pale-skinned, heterosexual couple) have.A delightful way to reinforce cooperation in getting a job done while having fun. (Picture book. 2-5)

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March 12, 2018
Old Mac and Mrs. Mac—the spry, gray-haired farmers who starred in Old MacDonald Had a Truck—are back for more tinkering around the farm. In warm, comedic spreads, Kaban depicts the industrious pair as they revamp an old fishing boat and construct a boat ramp. Using the titular song, Goetz introduces tools that the Macs use to get the vessel into tip-top shape: “And on that farm he had a... torch! E-I-E-I-Blow! With a blow blow here/ and a blow blow there,/ here a blow, there a blow,/ everywhere a blow blow.” Farmhands include a cast of piglets, sheep, a rooster, and a fox, dressed in breezy summer clothes, who help the couple hammer, sand, and paint. At dusk, the boat, christened “Fantastic,” is set to go. Final spreads show the Macs and farm friends on water skis and relaxing on their waterfront porch. The lively visual humor and unexpected additions to the classic song ensure read-aloud appeal. Ages 3–5.