Away to Bequia

. A family adventure story. Roger accepts his grandfather's invitation to sail to the neighbouring island of Bequia. It is Roger's first inter-island crossing. He is both excited and scared. The trip turns into a voyage of discovery and wonder when his grandfather sets a course towards the setting sun. Grandma, Auntie Jan, Uncle Rohan, cousins Abdul and Roxanne and pesky sister, Kathy are all members of the crew. The Caribbean is frequently described as a melting pot and a Caribbean family is often a mixture of the many different races who live there. Although fiction, Stoute has packed the books with interesting facts. Silva-Freimane's illustrations are detailed and authentically depict the marine life and seascapes of the Caribbean. Together: Ages 4 - 6; Read Alone: Ages 6 - 9. Review: There have been many great storybooks written from yesteryear to this present day. Of the many I have read, I must say that this one isn't just great - it's amazing. From its beautifully written words to its vibrant pictures, everything blends uniquely to form a vast image of the whole adventure in the reader's mind. You can see, feel, hear and even smell all the exotic textures in the story. The eccentric flow of rhythm and rhyme cultivates a cascade of poetic Caribbean flavor, when every word is read. The most amazing thing about the story, though, is that it is a family adventure and though today such a thing is dwindling rapidly, this writer depicts its beauty as though it happens every day. As a true Bequian, I salute June Stoute for basing this adventure as a family expedition to my blessed home and I would recommend that it be read by all children. Cherian Gordon - Caribbean Compass Feb 2008